17” 2003 steel rims for winter tires on 2015 Expedition?

[stilbo]

Just bought a new to me 2015 Expy XLT with factory 20” wheels.
I have a nearly new set of Pirelli Scorpion Snow & Ice tires on 17” rims that I used last winter only on my 2003 Expy EB.
I know that the bolt pattern is the same but:
Would the offset be a mismatch for my 2015 Expy?
Would the higher profile tire affect handling?
I don’t expect handling to be as good as the 20” rims and summer tires but I don’t want it to be worse (Or lethal) than they were on the 2003 Expy..
Thanks
Stilbo

 

[chuck s]

The tires are possibly, even likely the same outside diameter but we can't tell without your tire size specs. Winter tires are squirmy in my experience winter or summer as their sidewalls are less rigid.

-- Chuck

 

[stilbo]

Thanks for the light bulb moment Chuck.
The tires are on opposite sides of the county right now but...
Once I have them in the same space I’ll check their respective outer diameters and compare..
FYI.. The Tire Rack website has every dimension and specification on tires that they currently sell.
I’m still in the dark regarding wheel offset but if it ever cools off enough to pull a wheel I’ll check that.
The 17” snow and ice tires will definitely be squishier than the low profile 20” tires..
but a lot stickier in the slippery stuff.

 

[jkayca]

I went down to 17" alloy rims. My wife detests the steelies I have on my Lexus in the winter so wanted to make sure her girl had at least a decent pair of winter shoes. I don't have the tires here so can't tell you the exact dimensions other than they are 17s. Anyway didn't notice too much squirminess. Definitely a lot better in the winter than the stock 20s. So much better I used 4wd a lot less.

 

[stilbo]

Thanks!
The Expy is like a 5800 pound 911 in twisties on the 20” rims..
After the first frost here in Southern Indiana I start driving a lot more conservatively....
So I’m thinking that the 17” wheels and snow/ice tires will work..
Now I’m wondering if 2003-2008 Expedition factory 17” alloys from the boneyard will work.
I can score 4 clean ones for $49 each..

 

[chuck s]

Snow and ice tires in Southern Indiana?! The OE wheels and tires work great in the Snow Belt along Lakes Erie and Ontario (Cleveland, Buffalo, Watertown) where snow is measured in feet and there are snow depth markers like river ford markers on some sections of road. Last time I needed snow/ice tires was probably the 1960s. But then I recall being the only car on the road for a couple of days here in Richmond and in Coastal North Carolina after a freak ice storm.

-- Chuck

 

[07navi]

Thanks!
The Expy is like a 5800 pound 911 in twisties on the 20” rims..
After the first frost here in Southern Indiana I start driving a lot more conservatively....
So I’m thinking that the 17” wheels and snow/ice tires will work..
Now I’m wondering if 2003-2008 Expedition factory 17” alloys from the boneyard will work.
I can score 4 clean ones for $49 each..

I'm sure they will fit. I got a $1,000 set of nice used winter wheels for my 2007 Navigator for $70 that were off an '03 Expy. 44mm offset, 6 lug, same pattern etc.

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/ford/expedition/2015/

 

[stilbo]

I live in southern Indiana but travel a lot to LaPorte County and South Bend where lake effect in some spots can accumulate to 36”...
And I drive through it...
That’s the primary reason I’m on my third Expedition in the last twenty years...
Up till 1999 I lived up there and I drove Explorers but they seemed puny compared to my 2000 Expedition.

 

[07navi]

I live in southern Indiana but travel a lot to LaPorte County and South Bend where lake effect in some spots can accumulate to 36”...
And I drive through it...
That’s the primary reason I’m on my third Expedition in the last twenty years...
Up till 1999 I lived up there and I drove Explorers but they seemed puny compared to my 2000 Expedition.

The Expy was puny compared to my Excursion but it was getting too hard to get parts for even though it was 90% F 250 pickup.

 

[stilbo]

We had two V10 Excursions in the Company fleet.
Whenever I felt like invading and taking over a small country or pulling a large building off of it’s foundation I’d grab one.
I also liked the ability to drive right over the top of a Humvee.
I drove one from Hammond Indiana to Auburn Indiana in white out conditions with no problem. My only concern was driving right over the tops of white Toyota’s.
Both were finally retired with over 200,000 miles on each one...
Maybe once battery technology gets to the density needed, Ford will build an electric F350 based SUV.
It’d be cool to see one dragging a Tesla pickup truck around.