I've had some questions about swapping wheels among different years of Crown Vics. With some research I've posted this guide. Hope it answers all your questions.
All panthers use a 5x4.5" bolt pattern, and a ~70.5mm hub center bore.
92-02:
* All '92-'97s require 15" wheels minimum to clear the front calipers. 'All 98+ require at least a 16" wheel to clear their larger front dual piston calipers. (15" will clear in the rear, however)
* There have been mentions of people grinding down their 98-02 fronts calipers to allow use of 15" wheels. I do not recommend this.
* All '98+ use 16" wheels as standard equipment, 17" if it was a CV Sport (and later Town Cars and 18" for Marauder).
* '97's received 15" steel wheels as standard equipment on base models, 15" alloys on upper models and 16" alloys on 93+ HPPs.
* All of the 16" and 17" rims are 7" in width, the 15" wheels are 6.5" in width however I have heard the 'Police' 15" steel wheels may be 7" The primary difference between CVPI and 'base' -'97 15" steel wheels is the police wheels can accept 'dog dish' center caps.
* The offset for all -02 is ~6mm (depending on rim model), though a 0mm offset can be used without any trouble provided you keep the width reasonable.
03+
* All came with at least 16" wheels, 17" for LX Sport and Town Cars and 18" for Marauders. All can use the 16" rims, however.
* The width is again 7", Though the Marauder's are 8" to run larger width tires.
* The offset is high, ~50mm *Though anything in the ~40-~50mm range is acceptable.
Other Wheel info:
* 05+ / s197 Mustang, all 03+ panther, and 2002-2005 Explorer wheels are a direct fit for 03+ panthers.
**Note: There is a clearance issue between the wheel and front calipers when using *some* '05+ Mustang wheels on '03+ panthers. This appears to be limited to the polished 5 spoke "Bullitt" Factory Ford wheels. If you run into this problem, slip-on style 1/4" spacers will space the wheel far enough to gain adequate clearance.
* s197 05+ Mustang / 03+ panther / 2002-2005 Explorer wheels will fit -02 panthers with the use wheel adapters, measuring at least ~30mm/1.25"+. Hub centric adapters recommended
+ 1.5" preferred. Aero owners may want to use 2" on rear.
* 94-04 sn95/5x4.5" FACTORY mustang wheels can be used on -02 panthers, provided a wheel adapter/spacer measuring at ~1/4"+ is used on the front wheels to compensate for increased offset.
+ Larger spacers will bring wheels further out to fender well lips. 1/4" is minimum for front ball joint clearance, and is adequate up to (and including) the 8" Cobra rims. 20mm+ preferred all around for the right look. (Aero owners should use a larger spacer in the rear to fill the wheel wells out more).
+ Hub centric adapters recommended. Increased rim width will effect offset and minimum spacer size calculation. If you're going beyond factory Mustang wheels just keep that in mind and size your spacers accordingly.
* s95 (94-04)/5x4.5" Mustang wheels have too low of an offset for 03+ panthers, the wheels may protrude past the wheel openings.
* For aero owner's looking for better handling, -02 panther 16" (and 17") wheels are a direct fit, size 225/60/16 tires are closest to the diameter of your original 15" wheel/tire combo.
* Kenny Brown panthers used 18x8" Ronal R-7 wheels, using 245/45/18 tires.
* 2006+ CVPIs use 17" wheels. These wheels are a direct swap on all 2003+ panthers.
+ They can be used on -02 provided hub centric adapters (1.5") are used on all 4 wheels.
* '97 Steel wheels come in two varieties. The standard and the 'Police' wheels which have raised portions/bumps to secure the 'dog-dish' style hubcaps.
* DCX non-AWD LX Platform wheels can be used on -02 panthers. The bolt pattern is slightly off (by .7mm, DCX using 5x115mm vs. our 5x114.3mm) , so vibration may be felt at higher speeds.
+ Hub centric rings may be needed as well.
+ Offset is ~18mm, so spacers are not required for use on -02s.
+ These wheels will stick out too far to be used on 03+ panthers.
* The aforementioned Ford wheel offerings (Mustang, Explorer, Panther, etc.) use the correct 70.6mm center bore.
Other notes:
* Backspacing will all depend on the rim width chosen in relation to the offset.
* The use of a wheel spacer or adapter puts more stress on the vehicle's lug nuts and wheel bearings.
* Eibach, H&R make high-quality wheel adapters.
* Aero panthers have a narrower track width (most noticeably the rear, by ~2") than 98+. If wheel adapters/spacers are to be purchased an aero owner may want to go slightly larger than 98+ for more fender fill-out.
* Our cars use a 1/2"-20 RH thread Acorn style lug nut when you go to purchase chrome lugs for your spiffy new wheels.
* Factory lug torque spec is ~95ft-lbs
* Many Ford factory wheels share the same size hub cover, thus Ford oval logo covers can be used in place of Cobra snakes, galloping 'stangs, Gods-heads and other designs not suiting for your vehicle.
+ Various hub covers can be purchased from FRPP, or on eBay.
* Curiously, Ford recently started remaking the 2003-2004 Mercury Marauder wheels for use on the 2006+ Mustang as a 'Factory Custom' wheel offering. These wheels are for the most part identical, with the exception of a slight difference in the forging around the center cap area; though, the Marauder and all previously mentioned center caps should work fine.
Tires:
Factory sizes:
* -97 15" wheels, non-CVPI: 215/70r/15
* -97 15" wheels, CVPI & Towing: 225/70r/15
* all years 16" wheels***: 225/60r/16
* 01+ LX Sport/SAP 17" wheels: 235/55r/17
* 03-04 Marauder 18" wheels: 235/50r/18, front 245/55r/18, back
* 03+ Lincoln Town Car 17" wheels: 225/60r/17
* 06+ CVPIs w/ 17" wheels: 235/55r/17
* '98-02 Town Car Touring Sedans (16" wheels): 235/60r/16
* '98-'02 Town Car "L" / LWB Sedans (16" wheels): 225/70r/16
* 1992 HPP models also used 225/70/15 tires.
* 255/55/16 tires are a popular upgrade for those with 16" wheels.
* 255/50/17 tires can be used on LX Sports, or 06+ CVPI, and they look awesome.
* Panthers have very large wheel well openings. Using a smaller overall height tire than stock may look goofy.
* GoodYear RSAs are factory installed on CVPIs, reviews are mixed. With the wide variances in tires from brand to brand, it is hard to say which one is best. I recommend using [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and using their tire reviews to help base your decision.
Hubcaps:
* Type 146 (p/n: F87Z-1130-DA) and 170 (p/n: F87Z-1130-GB) hub caps cover the lug circle and hub. They will work with both 15" and 16" wheels.
+ They require the shoulder lug nuts (p/n: F8AZ-1012-AA)
+ The lug nuts can also be purchased aftermarket for considerably less.
+ Full wheel covers are available for 15", 16" and 17" panther steel wheels in various styles. Including chrome lacy spokes, chrome radial spokes, slatted/vents, multi-spoke alloy simulation, etc.
* Locking wheel covers, like those found on some civilian models, use a bracket which mounts to 3 of the 5 lug nuts behind the wheel cover. A specially keyed bolt is used to bolt the wheel cover to the bracket. The center emblem/ornament covers this bolt. These wheel covers will be the least likely to ever fall off.
+ Example of a 15" locking radial spoke wheel cover: Click!
* 03+ 16" full wheel covers can be used on 98-02 16" steel wheels with slight Modification.
+ There are two methods:
+ zip ties: Thread Link!
+ Or pipe couplings: Thread Link!
+ You will need at least 12 (3 per wheel) of the special threaded lug nuts to use the pipe coupling method. These are pricey from Ford, Napa sells them much cheaper: Click!!
* Chrome trim rings are available for both 15" and 16" wheels
* The old 'Dog-Dish' style center caps require the older style 15" police wheel with raised portions/bumps to hold the cap in place.
* 17" 2006+ CVPI full wheel covers will not fit 16" or smaller wheels.
*Special thanks to dRock96Marquis.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks