• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


21 x10.5 rim offset questions and opinion on 22 x10.5 sidewall versus ride quality

Messages
4
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#1
Hello,

Just purchased a 2023 ST and I'm new to this platform. I love the Explorer so far, except for the vibrating rear captain chair headrests! I'm looking to put winter tires on the stock Street pack 21" rims and also was looking for some nice summer rims in the same 21" size and look of stock. I wanted more sidewall than the popular 22" x 10.5" 305/35/R22 set-up of 4.2". The stock sidewall is 4.9" and the 295/40/R21 would be closer at 4.6". How is the ride of the 22" x 10.5" 305/35/R22 set-ups? Has your ride quality gone way down, rougher ride due to the smaller sidewall? Or is it not even noticeable?

I was thinking about the Superforged "Baller" rims in 21 x 10.5" with 295/40/21 (30.3") tires to be as close to the overall stock diameter (30.7") as possible. I'm assuming the same 30mm offset will be okay for this set-up on all four corners to provide no fitment issues or is there a better offset to use? 32mm? I tried reaching out to Superforged but have received no response in a few days.

If anyone had pictures of a similar set-up it would be appreciated.

https://superforgedwheels.com/collections/all/products/wheel-2

Capture.JPG


Thanks much.
 

Messages
189
Reactions
123
Points
37
Location
St. Louis
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#2
Congratulations on your new ST.
Tire information can be searched for on this site. The topic has been covered quite a bit.
Check out UNBROKEN'S build thread. Should be a must read for all new ST owners. It has detailed tire info and much more.
Best.
 

Blue Beast

1000 Post Club
U.S. Army Veteran
Law Enforcement
Messages
1,578
Reactions
622
Points
262
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Vehicle
2020 ST
#3
Hello,

Just purchased a 2023 ST and I'm new to this platform. I love the Explorer so far, except for the vibrating rear captain chair headrests! I'm looking to put winter tires on the stock Street pack 21" rims and also was looking for some nice summer rims in the same 21" size and look of stock. I wanted more sidewall than the popular 22" x 10.5" 305/35/R22 set-up of 4.2". The stock sidewall is 4.9" and the 295/40/R21 would be closer at 4.6". How is the ride of the 22" x 10.5" 305/35/R22 set-ups? Has your ride quality gone way down, rougher ride due to the smaller sidewall? Or is it not even noticeable?

I was thinking about the Superforged "Baller" rims in 21 x 10.5" with 295/40/21 (30.3") tires to be as close to the overall stock diameter (30.7") as possible. I'm assuming the same 30mm offset will be okay for this set-up on all four corners to provide no fitment issues or is there a better offset to use? 32mm? I tried reaching out to Superforged but have received no response in a few days.

If anyone had pictures of a similar set-up it would be appreciated.

https://superforgedwheels.com/collections/all/products/wheel-2

View attachment 20501


Thanks much.
Welcome to the forum.
 

Messages
357
Reactions
204
Points
37
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#4
I'm on 305/40/22 and in my opinion.. rides better than stock.

Also lowered on Steedas.
 

Cajun Heat

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,198
Reactions
597
Points
262
Location
Katy, TX, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#5
Hello,

Just purchased a 2023 ST and I'm new to this platform. I love the Explorer so far, except for the vibrating rear captain chair headrests! I'm looking to put winter tires on the stock Street pack 21" rims and also was looking for some nice summer rims in the same 21" size and look of stock. I wanted more sidewall than the popular 22" x 10.5" 305/35/R22 set-up of 4.2". The stock sidewall is 4.9" and the 295/40/R21 would be closer at 4.6". How is the ride of the 22" x 10.5" 305/35/R22 set-ups? Has your ride quality gone way down, rougher ride due to the smaller sidewall? Or is it not even noticeable?

I was thinking about the Superforged "Baller" rims in 21 x 10.5" with 295/40/21 (30.3") tires to be as close to the overall stock diameter (30.7") as possible. I'm assuming the same 30mm offset will be okay for this set-up on all four corners to provide no fitment issues or is there a better offset to use? 32mm? I tried reaching out to Superforged but have received no response in a few days.

If anyone had pictures of a similar set-up it would be appreciated.

https://superforgedwheels.com/collections/all/products/wheel-2

View attachment 20501


Thanks much.
Congrats and welcome to the forum.

I had 305/35/R22 Pilot 4s' on up until just recently and found the ride to be a somewhat harsher than the stock setup, not to mention the tramlining. Swapped them out when they wore down, didn't take long, with Yokoyama Parada 305/40/22 tire. The ride differences are leaps and bounds better, with no tramlining. I did loose some dry grip and cornering by going with this tire, but for a daily driver the comfort far outweighs any loss in performance. Even better than the stock 21's.
 

Messages
357
Reactions
204
Points
37
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#6
Congrats and welcome to the forum.

I had 305/35/R22 Pilot 4s' on up until just recently and found the ride to be a somewhat harsher than the stock setup, not to mention the tramlining. Swapped them out when they wore down, didn't take long, with Yokoyama Parada 305/40/22 tire. The ride differences are leaps and bounds better, with no tramlining. I did loose some dry grip and cornering by going with this tire, but for a daily driver the comfort far outweighs any loss in performance. Even better than the stock 21's.
Agreed about ride quality.. i went with Toyo Proxes in the 305/40 and i've pushed these pretty hard around turns.

I'm on a +32 offset so in reverse.. i do rub the front wheel well liners a bit but otherwise no rubbing that i'm aware of :oops:
 

Messages
97
Reactions
47
Points
17
Location
WI
#7
A 315/40 tire on a 21" wheel gets you 30.9". I can't say if it rubs up front or not, I've only seen it on a staggered setup where they ran the OE size 275/45 up front and did the 315/40 in the rear.
 

Messages
194
Reactions
79
Points
27
Location
San Rafael, CA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#8
I have 285/40/22 Toyo Proxes STiii's and they ride better than stock in my opinion and the 22 looks much better too.
 

Messages
291
Reactions
178
Points
37
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST Carbonized Gray
#9
Agreed about ride quality.. i went with Toyo Proxes in the 305/40 and i've pushed these pretty hard around turns.

I'm on a +32 offset so in reverse.. i do rub the front wheel well liners a bit but otherwise no rubbing that i'm aware of :oops:
I'm using the same tire and only noticed the inside rear tire starting to spin on a right hand cloverleaf on-ramp, but that can be attributed to the amount of torque these things make and no loss of control was ever felt.
 

Cajun Heat

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,198
Reactions
597
Points
262
Location
Katy, TX, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#10
Congrats and welcome to the forum.

I had 305/35/R22 Pilot 4s' on up until just recently and found the ride to be a somewhat harsher than the stock setup, not to mention the tramlining. Swapped them out when they wore down, didn't take long, with Yokoyama Parada 305/40/22 tire. The ride differences are leaps and bounds better, with no tramlining. I did loose some dry grip and cornering by going with this tire, but for a daily driver the comfort far outweighs any loss in performance. Even better than the stock 21's.
Just a follow-up. No rubbing with my current setup, lowered on Lethal Springs.
 

OP
T
Messages
4
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
Thread Starter #11
I think I know what I need for 21's. 295/40/R21 on Superforged Baller 21" x 10" rims with 24-25mm offset. That put me right where the popular 22" set-up is fender flush. 10% more sidewall with only a 3% decrease in width. I'm thinking I will still need the rear camber set at -0.5 degrees as well.

I appreciate everyone for their input.


22 versus 21 Explorer ST.JPG
22 versus 21 Explorer ST (2).JPG
 

OP
T
Messages
4
Reactions
1
Points
2
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
Thread Starter #12
A 315/40 tire on a 21" wheel gets you 30.9". I can't say if it rubs upfront or not, I've only seen it on a staggered setup where they ran the OE size 275/45 up front and did the 315/40 in the rear.
Interesting. It looks like if I go with 315/40/R21 tire I will have the same positioning as the popular 22" set-up but with more tire bulge and slightly taller by 0.5 with a 21" x 10.5" 30mm offset rim. I would be interested if anyone has tried this upfront. IDK might just play it safe with the 295/40/r21.

22 versus 21 Explorer ST (3).JPG

22 versus 21 Explorer ST (4).JPG
 

Last edited:
Messages
97
Reactions
47
Points
17
Location
WI
#13
Interesting. It looks like if I go with 315/40/R21 tire I will have the same positioning as the popular 22" set-up but with more tire bulge and slightly taller by 0.5 with a 21" x 10.5" 30mm offset rim. I would be interested if anyone has tried this upfront. IDK might just play it safe with the 295/40/r21.
Yeh I've been wanting to try it for a couple years now, but it is just not in my budget unfortunately. But I'm with you, I want some sidewall, especially on Wisconsin roads. Sorry, hopefully someone out there has tried it and we can both learn from them.
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,588
Reactions
5,364
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#14
I ran 315/35/22’s square on mine with no issues. Roughly 30.7” tall.
Anything taller or higher offset on a 10.5” wheel is pushing their luck. Mine was very close to the strut body up front.
 

Messages
11
Reactions
4
Points
2
Location
USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#15
Would Iike everyone’s opinion:

Want to switch my original black 21 inch wheels to 295/40/21 Pirellis. Oem springs.
Any risk of rubbing at all??
 



Top