MERC RIMS ON CROWN VIC

HELLO ALL. I JUST SOLD MY SWEET 93 CHEVY S10 SO THAT I COULD JOIN THE FORD WORLD. I HAVE A 99 P71 WITH 81K ORG MILES. I GOT A SWEET DEAL ON HER TO. ONLY PAID 2500 BUCKS. USED TO BE A SERVICE AID IN BOCA FL... MY QUESTION TO ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME IS AS FOLLOWS. I JUST BOUGHT GRAND MARQUIS RIMS FROM A 2003 BUT WHEN I MOUNTED A RIM ON THE FRONT IT DID NOT FIT. SO I TRIED THE REAR. GUESS WHAT? HUGE FAIL!!! I ONLY THOUGHT TO RESEARCH THE BOLT PATTERN BUT DID NOT STOP TO THINK IF THE RIM WOULD MAKE CONTACT WITH THE CALIPERS. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW BIG OF A SPACER I WOULD NEED TO MAKE THOSE SUCKERS FIT? IM NEW TO THE FORD WORLD SO PLEASE BE GENTLE. LOL.

THANX IN ADVANCE,

COD-KING

Ford made a change to the steering and suspension, including the wheels, in 2003. The newer cars handle a lot better. As far as the spacer, I can not help you there.

Welcome to the club. Go to www.crownvic.net and see the write-up for WHEELS. I believe up to the 2002 will fit with no problems up to the -02 CVx, but won't after 02. But don't quote me on that. Read the write-up.

What you can do is start adding washers equally over the lug bolts before you put the wheel on until you get at least 1/8" clearance between the caliper and wheel, and then put on the lug nuts. If the wheel spins with no contact, measure the thickness of all the washers to see what size hub spacer you will need. Also, check your clearance between the tire and fender lip. And be sure to turn the wheel from full left to full right to see if you have clearance problems elsewhere. You simply may have to return the 03 rims for a refund, and get a set that will fit.

If you need additional help, PM me and I'll try to direct you to the right area.

The general consensus to get the wheels to fit/look right using an '03+ wheel on a pre '03 is 1 1/2" spacer up front and 2" rear(1 1/5" will work too). Make sure the spacers are HUBcentric.