Police Interceptor/P71 wheel questions.

[Mard]

I'm thinking about picking up a set of police interceptor wheels for winter use. A guy at my work has a set on PI 16's for sale with 225/60/16 Goodyear tires mounted.

Is there anyway to tell how old the wheels are by the style or by a serial number on them?

Anyone know how long 16's have been used on PI's?

Pretty sure there will be no fit-up issues....right?

Maybe the age doesn't matter as long they're in good shape:confused: .

Thanks,
Mark

[01 Interceptor]

They'll be fine as long as they are 2003+ steel wheels.

[RoyLPita]

2003- early 2004 had 7 breather holes. mid 2004-2005 had 12 breather holes. As for the tire size, you might have to get an Excal 2 or Diablosport Predator to compensate the speedo or else it will be too fast by 4.2 MPH.

[Mard]

You guys are sharp. Thanks!!!

Just out of curiousity, why do the pre-2003 wheels not work? Do the earlier wheels have different vent hole pattern that I can look for?

[SergntMac]

Just out of curiousity, why do the pre-2003 wheels not work? Do the earlier wheels have different vent hole pattern that I can look for? I believe it because of larger brak calipers starting in '03 model years. The wheel you're looking for has an unusual appearance. It's flat, due to a deeper offset. Very little useable rim, or, dish available for wheel covers or trim rings. The wheel treatments are held in place by the lug nuts or special mountings. Look at few police cars, you'll start to notice a similar appearance.

[CRUZTAKER]

You guys are sharp. Thanks!!!

Just out of curiousity, why do the pre-2003 wheels not work? Do the earlier wheels have different vent hole pattern that I can look for?

I don't personally know...:dunno:

I do know I used the 16" steelies off my '98 GranMarquis GS.

[Drock96Marquis]

The pre-2003 steelies, or any cv/mgm wheels do not properly work on 2003+ panthers due to the offset change in 2003 for the new front suspesnion setup

2003+ can be easily identified by their flat-like face, pre 03's have a deeper offset and pre 98's have 15" wheels :)

[RoyLPita]

Actually, they will work. They will just stick out a little more than what we are used to. Here is a Pic that I borrowed from Teamrope:
http://www.ywave.com/~teamrope/pics/COPWHEELS.JPG

[Marauder2005]

Actually, they will work. They will just stick out a little more than what we are used to. Here is a Pic that I borrowed from Teamrope:
http://www.ywave.com/~teamrope/pics/COPWHEELS.JPG

You are 100% correct. :)

[MENINBLK]

You need to check the date code on the tires.
You shouldn't be riding on tires that are more than 6 years old.

[Sully008]

Here are some pics I took quickly of the 7 hole wheels on my car. Please excuse the dirt. It's supposed to snow today...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/9/6/0/FrontWheel.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/9/6/0/RearWheel.jpg

[Mard]

The seller said the wheels are 16's with numerous round holes, not slots. I guess they would be similar to those shown on Teamropes DTR above. He is going to email pics tomorrow.

So to use these wheels I would need spacers to correct the offset, I can use stock studs and use different lug nuts......sound right?

Thanks for posting the wheel pics to.

[fast Ed]

Other way around. You could maybe use 03 - up wheels on an earlier car by putting spacers in, but the earlier wheels stick out when installed on a newer car.


cheers
Ed N.

[RoyLPita]

There's no way that spacers can correct the pre 2003 wheel from being too far out. It will just be out further than before.

[Marauder2005]

Ebay always has 03-05 wheels for great prices. I got a BRAND NEW set of

'05 wheels for 50.00!!! (w/out tires) I hate how it looks like a Vic when

there on, but there is no way in hell I am letting salt hit those MM wheels.

Also, do not forget to Zaino your car before the snow hits :cool:

[merc6]

whats the factory offset and bolt pattern. with the pre 03 rims did was there any issues with the tire comming in contact with the fenders when suspention compresses the tires into wheelwells? Persoanly I hate the 03 and up lookking PI rims. The pre 03 look hawt with centercaps IMHO

[Marauder2005]

You can always get wheel covers to cover the wheels. Plus, there only

for the winter, who cares what they look like :) Heres a link to a site that

has different style wheel covers for Police cars. I got the Police simulators

for my winter wheels...

http://hubcaphaven.com/police_2003.htm

[jgc61sr2002]

You need to check the date code on the tires.
You shouldn't be riding on tires that are more than 6 years old.



Pete - Excellent point.

[CrownVicP71USMC]

Gents i have a set of no kidding next to brand new 2002 p71 rims and tires I will let go forn next to nothing. Just have to get in touch with me c130marine@yahoo is the best way.

Dale

[merc6]

ok when you went to steelies and centercaps did you guys swap out lucnuts as well? I have wheel locks and on the mazdas the locks don't fully screw onto the lug with the steeles like the aloys. Was that an issue? Also whers the cheapes place you got centercaps?

[Rider90]

ok when you went to steelies and centercaps did you guys swap out lucnuts as well? I have wheel locks and on the mazdas the locks don't fully screw onto the lug with the steeles like the aloys. Was that an issue? Also whers the cheapes place you got centercaps?
To use center caps you need a shouldered lug nut. I purchased some off eBay, as well as some center caps...

[Marauder2005]

That wheel cover "LINK" I posted above has Lugnuts!! Check it out :)

[STLR FN]

These should work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8017630267&indexURL=0#ebayphotohosting
http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/5c/1f/9c_12.JPG

[jgc61sr2002]

These should work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8017630267&indexURL=0#ebayphotohosting
http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/5c/1f/9c_12.JPG


Nice looking wheel. No bidders to date.