Best tire size for police interceptor rims

[MaverickX]

Hi dear community,

I am new to this forum. I have just purchased a new Ford Explorer ST with Street pack, and I am loving it!
Inspired by some enthusiasts in this forum, I ordered from my Ford dealer and recently received a set of 18" police interceptor rims (LB5Z-1015-B) that I am going to use for winter.
Now I have the following question.
Since the original rims are 21", I understand that tires for 18" rims can only be matched by diameter/circumference approximately. The closest sizes Tire Size Calculator suggests are
265/60R18 (-0.7% in diameter), wheel width 7.5-9.5" or
255/65R18 (+1.3% in diameter), wheel width 7-9".
When I talked to the dealer and asked them what tire size the police use on their interceptors, the guy said it was 255/60R18 which is -2.3% from my ST stock size in diameter.
My understanding is using a closer diameter tires would be better than the ones 2.3% smaller. However, I do not fully understand if those LB5Z-1015-B rims would fit 265 mm wide tires properly.
Below are the specs on the interceptor rims (photos). Do I understand it correctly that they are 8" wide, so both 255 and 265 tires would be OK?
Also, in general, which of the sizes above would you recommend me to go with based on your experience and common sense?

Thank you!

 

[Big Turk]

Hi dear community,

I am new to this forum. I have just purchased a new Ford Explorer ST with Street pack, and I am loving it!
Inspired by some enthusiasts in this forum, I ordered from my Ford dealer and recently received a set of 18" police interceptor rims (LB5Z-1015-B) that I am going to use for winter.
Now I have the following question.
Since the original rims are 21", I understand that tires for 18" rims can only be matched by diameter/circumference approximately. The closest sizes Tire Size Calculator suggests are
265/60R18 (-0.7% in diameter), wheel width 7.5-9.5" or
255/65R18 (+1.3% in diameter), wheel width 7-9".
When I talked to the dealer and asked them what tire size the police use on their interceptors, the guy said it was 255/60R18 which is -2.3% from my ST stock size in diameter.
My understanding is using a closer diameter tires would be better than the ones 2.3% smaller. However, I do not fully understand if those LB5Z-1015-B rims would fit 265 mm wide tires properly.
Below are the specs on the interceptor rims (photos). Do I understand it correctly that they are 8" wide, so both 255 and 265 tires would be OK?
Also, in general, which of the sizes above would you recommend me to go with based on your experience and common sense?

Thank you!

View attachment 15044
View attachment 15045

Hey, The 18" aluminum Explorer wheels I purchased came with 255/65R18's and for winter tires, narrower and taller is better. So I would say 255 would be the better to go with. Cheers.

 

[ST-Fisher]

I went with 265/60R18's for my winter set.

 

[MaverickX]

I went with 265/60R18's for my winter set.

Did you install those on police interceptor rims (Part # LB5Z-1015-B)?
Thanks.

 

[skiteton]

Man, you guys up north with your cheap interceptor rims....I'm jealous!

 

[ST-Fisher]

Did you install those on police interceptor rims (Part # LB5Z-1015-B)?
Thanks.

I did. The part # on the rims I got is LB5C-1015-A1B.
I'll be swapping wheels out this coming weekend and can post some pics.

 

[Jahblessd]

I got my rims coming in soon from Ford but I'm going 255/60/r18 just like the police. The Crossclimate 2 SUV just jumped to the top of my list as the tire I will buy.

 

[ST-Fisher]

Converted to the winter set today. One of the wheel covers must of been tweaked from the cruiser it came off of at the part recycler as it decided to randomly pop off about 15 miles down the road at a red light. It doesn't sound to be seating correctly, so ordered a new one. FYI I am using the stock lug nuts, all other 3 caps are on snug.

 

[MaverickX]

I did. The part # on the rims I got is LB5C-1015-A1B.
I'll be swapping wheels out this coming weekend and can post some pics.

Hmm... Interesting... I am wondering what the difference is between those and LB5Z-1015-B I got..

 

[MaverickX]

Converted to the winter set today. One of the wheel covers must of been tweaked from the cruiser it came off of at the part recycler as it decided to randomly pop off about 15 miles down the road at a red light. It doesn't sound to be seating correctly, so ordered a new one. FYI I am using the stock lug nuts, all other 3 caps are on snug.

Thanks for sharing the photo!
I ended up ordering 255/65R18 winters. Waiting for them to arrive. Will post a photo once installed.
The only thing that bothers me is lug nuts. I am planning to keep the stock ones. I also got center caps. And also, I use McGard locking nuts (one per wheel), and they are a bit taller that the stock nuts. Now I am wondering if the center caps will fit over all that. We'll see.

 

[ST-Fisher]

Thanks for sharing the photo!
I ended up ordering 255/65R18 winters. Waiting for them to arrive. Will post a photo once installed.
The only thing that bothers me is lug nuts. I am planning to keep the stock ones. I also got center caps. And also, I use McGard locking nuts (one per wheel), and they are a bit taller that the stock nuts. Now I am wondering if the center caps will fit over all that. We'll see.

Nice! The stock lug nuts will work, however I can't tell you if the locking nut will work. Worst case, if you kept the other 4 just run those for the winter.
I ended up putting double sided tape on the top of 3 of the lug nuts on the cap that popped off on me, no issues since lol.

 

[Jahblessd]

Picking up tires today.. went with the 255/60/18 size I saw cops running. Was also able to get a hold of them in Cross Climate 2 so should be great for winter. Should have em mounted on with PIU rims in a couple days. I'm excited.

 

[MaverickX]

Just thought to post a report about the final results of my winter tire project here.
Thant you everyone who shared their experience and thoughts, and gave valuable advice!

 

[Jahblessd]

Just though to post a report about the final results of my winter tire project here.
Thant you everyone who shared their experience and thoughts, and gave valuable advice!
View attachment 15421
View attachment 15422

Those look great.
I didn't upload my set but they look very similar. I really like the look.

 

[Jahblessd]

Here they are
Cross Climate 2 in 255/60/R18

 

[travish325]

Where are people getting these wheels without spending $500+ per wheel?

 

[skiteton]

Where are people getting these wheels without spending $500+ per wheel?

Canada

 

[MaverickX]

Where are people getting these wheels without spending $500+ per wheel?

I am located in Canada. Got the rims from my Ford dealership where I had got the ST from. Paid $145 CAD (around $100 USD) per rim.

 

[MacDubST]

Just thought to post a report about the final results of my winter tire project here.
Thant you everyone who shared their experience and thoughts, and gave valuable advice!
View attachment 15421
View attachment 15422

hey maverick, how was the winter driving on this setup? I’m thinking about purchasing the same for my ‘21 ST currently on 21” stock rims.

 

[MaverickX]

hey maverick, how was the winter driving on this setup? I’m thinking about purchasing the same for my ‘21 ST currently on 21” stock rims.

Hi there,
What can I say? The winter driving was OK. Nothing unexpected. The reasons why I opted for that setup were as follows:
- 18" winter tires are much cheaper than 21"
- police interceptor rims bring a very good value for the money (curb hit rated, won't rust like regular steel rim trash etc.)
- [as a bonus] I generally feel safer when driving on that setup because very few dare to pass me