Winter's coming...

[Raudermaster]

And off come the stock rims. I've been running around trying to find a good looking, not too expensive rims that will look good and serve their purpose. Was wondering what most of you New Englander's run on your Marauder's? I was hoping to keep the 18" size, but will go down to 17"s but all suggestions will be appreciated. Also, what are you guys running for tires?

[Mad4Macs]

Heck, just do what I did!
Move to Texas :lol:

[Meteorite]

I got in on this group buy (See the thread here ... (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4390) ), but that was back in 2003.

I'm running the Michelin Arctic Alpines on steel wheels, as detailed in that thread, but those are 16" wheels and tires.

But I have to say, I've been through 3 winters with them (about 5 months per winter), and I have been TOTALLY THRILLED with them. They cut through snow wonderfully, and the wear on the treads is still pretty minimal.

I'm sure if you use the Search feature and search for "winter" or "snow" you will turn up more recent threads regarding what other folks are running in the winter.

[jdando]

I run the Hankook Ice Bears. They are available in 18" sizes, which lets me run the stock wheels. Not cheap, but worked great. Far superior than stock BFG tires, which scared the poo out of me twice.

jeremy

[NHTHAWK]

My Maruader gets garaged through the winter. It's not the snow I worry about, it's the salt! I don't want the beast rusting out before it's time. I drive a Siverado through the winter.

[Dragcity]

Be warned you'll have a real hard time finding the correct diameter tire in 18 and 17. Oh, and you'll spend big bucks for them too. Most have gone with 16" steel wheels and a god ice/snow all around.

I get to claim the prize for the tallest posible tires for my winter special. Yeah, the salt is gonna take it's toll in a few years. So Sad!

I run Bridgstone - Firestone - Dayton - Winterforce tires Fr= 235/70-16 (29.1" Tall) RR=265/70-16 (30.7" Tall). They are really tall and get the car an extra inch off the ground for clearance. Works with T/C as well. The enormuos side wall will change the handeling capabilities on dry roads, but works very well in the snow here in Buffalo....

What I have is a very tight fit, but does NOT rub anything. The stock tires are 27.2" FR and 28.5" RR

Take it for what it's worth, but this combo works. I do need wheel covers still. The car looks terrible w/o the factory wheels....

[RUSTY]

I am also running the Michelin Arctic-Alpine on steal rims with Grand Marquis hub caps. Nice ice radial, lots of sipes for grip.

[GarageMahal]

I am also running the Michelin Arctic-Alpine on steal rims with Grand Marquis hub caps. Nice ice radial, lots of sipes for grip.

Me too, nice setup but 16in rims will not work if you have upgraded brakes...

jta

[TooManyFords]

Which reminds me...

I'd better get DUHTROLL's wheels back to him ASAP!

John

[Raudermaster]

Interesting, so CV and GM steel rims will fit no problemo? I was even considering '05+ CV 17" steel rims.

[2003DOHC]

Interesting, so CV and GM steel rims will fit no problemo? I was even considering '05+ CV 17" steel rims.

Yes the 16 inch steel wheels will fit as long as you still have the stock brakes. I have 215/65/16 front and 235/65/16 rear bridgestone blizzak w50 tires for winter. Correct sizes for 17 inch wheels are harder to find in a winter compound. If you have an extra set of marauder wheels the icebear w300 by Hankook are available in the stock marauder size's.

[Drock96Marquis]

Jarod, look for 2003+ steelies, -02 steel wheels have a lower offset (~6mm) and will stock out the fenders some if used.

Also, the 17" steelies made their debut on the 2006 MY CVPI ;)


A good looking rim choice (IMO that is) would be an aftermarket set of the 2003+ 17" Crown Vic Sport wheels, they can be found on eBay and cost significantly less, and still have nice OEM styling to boot. Though, as mentioned before finding suitable snow tires w/ the correct diameter in 17"+ can be troublesome and costly.


You should have kept the 95 for the winter :P

[jdando]

Found this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280022741583&fromMakeTrack=true

jeremy

[Bradley G]

I rarely find good stuff like that from private sellers on e-bay.
All I get is Crapola Brakes and turbonators.
Oh, sorry
BOT:
I wish I had gotten in on the group buy, ordering everything seperate, even wholesale, was significantly more dough.
I did achieve the look I was after.
OEM 16" steelies and ranger centercaps, Blizzaks.
The factory size tire height, is what was appealing to me.
And I heard a comment from one of the big wheel cover companies from Cali say " All the cops buy them, after the loose thier origonal caps"
Deffinatly, got some respect from other motorists, with this look.
Found this on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280022741583&fromMakeTrack=true

jeremy

[rookie1]

I bought a set of used 16" Mustang wheels(take offs) at one of my local custom shops for around $250 and mounted Pirelli Scorpions on them.

[studio460]

Also, the 17" steelies made their debut on the 2006 MY CVPI.
I'm looking to put Ford OEM black steelies w/caps on my Marauder. Does Ford now make a 17" black steelie? Do you have part no., or where to buy? Thanks.

[Raudermaster]

Yea, all '06+ CVPI's have 17's on them. Not sure of the part number though.

[Drock96Marquis]

I'm looking to put Ford OEM black steelies w/caps on my Marauder. Does Ford now make a 17" black steelie? Do you have part no., or where to buy? Thanks.
I'll try to get you a part number - you may also want to make a post in the wanted forum on crownvic.net