Marauder Rim ?'s

[bears34]

I just bought a 2002 Mountaineer, and was wondering if the Marauder rims will fit on the Mountaineer.
I've seen Marauders with Mustang rims, and I've seen Explorers with Mustang rims.

I love the Marauder rims and I don't want to put 20's on the truck like everyone else. I figured it would look factory if I put on another set of Mercury wheels on it.

I found some here: http://www.hubcaphaven.com/marauder_wheels.htm

[RF Overlord]

I just bought a 2002 Mountaineer, and was wondering if the Marauder rims will fit

I doubt it, but you can try. The Panther platform underwent a significant suspension change for 2003, which moved the wheels outboard, so the rims have a very low offset to compensate. That's why they're somewhat "flat"-looking as opposed to the traditional "dish" shape...

[423REED]

I just bought a 2002 Mountaineer, and was wondering if the Marauder rims will fit on the Mountaineer.
I've seen Marauders with Mustang rims, and I've seen Explorers with Mustang rims.

I love the Marauder rims and I don't want to put 20's on the truck like everyone else. I figured it would look factory if I put on another set of Mercury wheels on it.

I found some here: http://www.hubcaphaven.com/marauder_wheels.htmI also think that the 2003-04 Marauder 18" wheels are magnificent. Did you know that they're not cast aluminum. They're made using a special forged aluminum and polishing/clearcoating process by Alcoa Aluminum! They look so beautiful that most people think they are chrome plated and polished! And with the Mercury God's head center caps, they're really cool!

The Mountaineer and the Marauder have the same 5-bolt and 4.5" bolt circle. But the two big questions would be, 1) if the actual wheel bolt diameters match; 2) the wheel offsets. I don't know if the two wheels are compatible in their offset. Some vehicles can accept a slight change in wheel offset without too much trouble. But too much of a variance in wheel offset can cause problems with your wheel bearings and handling. We need a resident wheel expert right now to answer these questions.

You will probably have to install a new driven gear in the trans or speedo, to compensate for the change to an 18" wheel and tire combo. You probably have either a 15" or a 16" wheel right now. If your truck is equipped with computer controlled ABS brakes, you may burn out the ABS system by changing the size of the wheels and tires! Your local Mercury or Ford dealer should be able to help you with these issues. They may be able to adjust for the new wheel and tire sizes in the computer program. Plus, you should look into whether you can get a truck tire that's a correct fit for the Marauder wheel. One more thing, check to make sure you have the proper wheel well, fender lip, and disc brake clearances front and rear, to accept the Marauder wheels. Mercury had to roll the rear fender lips in order to accomodate the rear tires and wheels!

Whew! There's a lot more to think about when switching wheels and tires than most people realize. Of course my suggestions are for a safe and quality conversion. I see a lot of poorly thought out conversions rolling around the streets. Some are intentional, and some are the result of a lack of knowledge. This "ain't the good old days", where you slap a new set of wheels and tires.
_________________________
1994 TAURUS SHO - DK GREEN
2004 MARAUDER - DTR

[bears34]

I have 17" rims on there now. I shouldn't have to adjust the speedo or worry about the ABS...dealers are installing 20's on the Mountaineer and Aviator left and right.

As far as rolling the fenders, I have about a 4" gap between the fender and tire.

[SergntMac]

There were wheel options for the 2002 Mountaineer, but the 245/65/17 tires were the same size.

The 18" Marauder wheel is 8" wide, and the maximum (safe) width of the tire is for that rim is 255

The Mountaineer tire/wheel set is 29.54" tall, and in order to get close to that with 18" tires, you would need a tire size somwhere around 255/55/18, which is 29.05" tall. Your speedo would be off (faster) about 1 MPH.

Tire Rack has a selection of tires in this size, all suitable and cost effective for this project, ranging from 145. to 165. each.

You would have to pull a wheel from the Mountaineer and measure the offset, but if it's close to the Marauder 50 MM, (which I suspect it is) looks like your in luck. Drop us some pics?

[gdmjoe]

... The Mountaineer and the Marauder have the same 5-bolt and 4.5" bolt circle. But the two big questions would be, 1) if the actual wheel bolt diameters match; ...
The studs are the same ( 1/2" - 20 ) for the Mountaineer ( 1997-2004 ) and the Marauder and therefore the holes in the rims would be the same.


You will probably have to install a new driven gear in the trans or speedo, to compensate for the change to an 18" wheel and tire combo. You probably have either a 15" or a 16" wheel right now. If your truck is equipped with computer controlled ABS brakes, you may burn out the ABS system by changing the size of the wheels and tires!
All of this is a moot point IF the overall tire diameter is close to the original tire diameter. And as long as the same front / rear diameter bias is close to the original, there wouldn't be an ABS issue.

A tire size calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) tool for your reference.

As others have mentioned, offset is the one you need to pay attention to in order to determine if the rims will fit. *And even then there are adapters and spacers that can compensate. Example (http://www.maximummotorsports.com/spacers.asp). *And "Yes" is says Mustang, however, they have the same hub concentrics as the Panther platform vehicles.

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

GMDjoe is a FOUNTAIN of knowledge. He knows his stuff. :rock:

He is correct. I am running 20" wheels with a low profile tire (245/35/20) Even with the huge wheels being 4" larger than stock, with my skinny minnie tires, the overall diameter is about the same, save a half inch or so. My speedo is off like 2-3 MPH at 70 MPH...so I have no problems at all. :)

[Logan]

In short, yes, they'll work. I've seen them on a Mountaineer and an aviator.

[bears34]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like there's a good chance they'll work. I'll try to get some Marauder rims at the dealership to try on before I buy them. As long as the rims work. I can find tires to work.

Thanks! :2thumbs:

[bears34]

Looks like the offset on the Mountaineer rim is 47mm.

[ADE 1000]

Has anyone tried putting Mountaineer rims on the Marauder?? I think it would make for a nice option for those of us that want to run snow tires in the winter.

17" and 16" Mountaineer rims go for cheap on Ebay and look a hell of lot better than the steel wheels most people are running.

[SouLRioT]

did you want to trade him???

[bears34]

I wish. I know what he means...they would look nice as snow wheels.

As bad as the winters are in Florida, I make due with one set of wheels.

[ADE 1000]

did you want to trade him???

Umm.....No.

But I would be more than happy to buy his Mountaineer rims if he did the swap and they fit the Marauder.