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Ford Explorer ST (2020-2024) Wheel Fitment Guide
The 2020-2024 Ford Explorer ST is the first performance-tuned Explorer on the rear-wheel-drive-based U625 platform, with a twin-turbocharged 3.0L EcoBoost V6 making 400 horsepower in RWD and AWD forms. It shipped standard on 20-inch machined aluminum wheels, with 21-inch gloss black wheels available through the optional ST Street Pack — and it has one of the more active aftermarket wheel communities of any three-row SUV, which has spent years documenting exactly what fits, what rubs, and where the sweet spot sits. This guide covers both factory configurations in full, the documented square aftermarket setups owners actually run, the front-liner and offset behavior that defines fitment on this platform, and why the ST is run square rather than staggered. If you have a 2025 or newer ST, see the separate 2025-2026 guide — the hardware carries over, but the standard wheel changed.
About this guide: The fitment data below is compiled from owner-submitted builds and enthusiast forum research across ExplorerST.org and ExplorerForum.com. We summarize what Explorer ST owners have reported running successfully so you have a researched starting point for your build.
Every FMB build goes through a sanity check and an engineering verification before forging. We cross-reference the configuration you're ordering against your trim and brake package and what's commonly documented on similar builds — and our manufacturing partner verifies the wheel itself (backspace, brake caliper clearance, structural spec) before production begins.
Fitment decisions involving ride height, tire choice, and suspension setup are yours and your installer's call. Use this guide as research, not as a substitute for a real fitment conversation.
Every 2020-2024 Explorer ST left the factory on 20-inch machined aluminum wheels. The 21-inch gloss black wheels were available as part of the optional ST Street Pack, which also added enlarged front and rear brake calipers, vented rotors, and red caliper paint. Both factory configurations are square — the same wheel and tire at all four corners — and both land at roughly 30.7 inches overall diameter, so they share the same fitment baseline. All base hardware (bolt pattern, center bore, thread pitch, torque, seat type) is identical across both wheels and carries forward unchanged to the 2025+ facelift.
20" 5-Double-Spoke Machined Black
Standard — No Charge
Front Wheel20×8.5 ET44.5
Rear Wheel20×8.5 ET44.5
Front Tire255/55R20
Rear Tire255/55R20
OEM Tire BrandMichelin Primacy A/S
Center Bore70.5mm
Bolt Pattern5×114.3
Fastener TypeLug Nuts
Thread PitchM14×1.5
Torque Spec150 lb-ft (204 Nm)
Seat Type60° Conical
ConstructionCast Aluminum
OEM Part NumberLB5Z-1007-D
Brake PackageStandard ST brakes (silver calipers)
Applies ToAll 2020-2024 Explorer ST without ST Street Pack or High Performance Pack
Square setup — identical size at all four corners, overall diameter approximately 30.7 inches. This is the baseline every aftermarket fitment on the platform references. It clears the standard ST calipers but not the enlarged Street Pack calipers, so for owners planning a Street Pack brake retrofit later, a wheel change is part of that upgrade path. Buyers ordering a forged build should confirm the wheel stamp on their specific car before manufacturing.
21" 7-Spoke Gloss Black
Optional — ST Street Pack
Front Wheel21×9 ET37.5
Rear Wheel21×9 ET37.5
Front Tire275/45R21
Rear Tire275/45R21
OEM Tire BrandPirelli Scorpion Zero A/S
Center Bore70.5mm
Bolt Pattern5×114.3
Fastener TypeLug Nuts
Thread PitchM14×1.5
Torque Spec150 lb-ft (204 Nm)
Seat Type60° Conical
ConstructionCast Aluminum
OEM Part NumbersLB5Z-1007-F (Black) / LB5Z-1007-G (Polished)
Brake PackagePerformance front (+18mm) and rear (+30mm) calipers, vented rotors, red paint
Applies To2020-2024 Explorer ST with ST Street Pack or High Performance Pack
Square setup — identical size at all four corners, overall diameter approximately 30.7 inches, matching the 20-inch fitment exactly. This is the same 21×9 ET37.5 dimension that became standard equipment on the 2025+ facelift, though with a different finish and part number. The Street Pack brake hardware requires a minimum 20-inch wheel — these enlarged calipers will not clear 18-inch wheels. A polished-finish variant (LB5Z-1007-G) was offered at a premium. The ST High Performance Pack included the same wheels and calipers as the Street Pack plus upgraded brake pads; the wheel hardware is identical between the two packages.
Aftermarket Options
Aftermarket Wheel & Tire Configurations
The Explorer ST is run square by the aftermarket community — the same size at all four corners, matching the factory architecture. The setups below are the documented square configurations owners actually run, organized from the platform's anchor flush spec down to a taller-sidewall comfort option. The recurring theme is a 10.5-inch-wide wheel at ET30, the offset the community consistently cites for a clean flush stance, with the diameter-and-tire choice setting the character: a 22-inch wheel for large-diameter presence, a 20-inch for more sidewall, and a narrower 20×9.5 on a tall 285/50 tire for owners who prioritize ride comfort. All of these keep overall diameter within a fraction of the OEM 30.7 inches, so no speedometer correction is needed.
⚠️Platform-specific fitment notes — Ford Explorer ST
Offset and front fender liner clearance.
On a 10.5-inch-wide wheel, ET30 (with some builds at +30 to +32) is the offset the Explorer ST community consistently cites for a clean flush stance; going lower tightens inner clearance to the front strut and sway bar quickly. Tire choice at this offset compounds clearance: a 305/35 is commonly reported to clear all four corners, while a taller-sidewall 305/40 on the same wheel is documented as tight when turning and can contact the front fender liner at steering lock. Evaluate clearance through the full steering range, and pair any wide tire with careful sidewall selection.
Overall tire diameter on downsized wheels.
The OEM setups sit at roughly 30.7 inches overall diameter. Community measurement work places the practical clearance ceiling around 32 inches — taller than that is documented as not clearing. The common 20-inch tire choice, 295/45R20, measures about 30.5 inches, staying within a fraction of OEM so no speedometer correction is required. When downsizing wheel diameter, match tire diameter back toward the OEM 30.7-inch figure.
Brake clearance with Street Pack / High Performance Pack calipers.
Cars equipped with the ST Street Pack or High Performance Pack carry enlarged front (+18mm) and rear (+30mm) calipers that require a minimum 20-inch wheel — they will not clear 18-inch wheels. On 20-inch and larger wheels, clearance also depends on spoke geometry and barrel depth, which vary by design, so there is no universal safe rule by diameter alone. Request a brake clearance template from your wheel manufacturer before ordering if your car has the Street Pack or HPP brakes.
AWD rolling diameter — why this platform runs square.
The Explorer ST is offered in RWD and AWD, and every documented aftermarket fitment on the platform is square. Staggered configurations introduce a front-to-rear rolling-diameter mismatch that can stress the AWD driveline over time, and the community discussion consistently warns against running mismatched front and rear diameters on these cars. The math should be checked against your owner manual before committing — we document tire dimensions on every card; verifying compatibility is your responsibility.
Square Setup
Most Popular
Stanceflush → poke
OEM
Aggressive
RWD + AWDDaily
Wheels (All 4)
22×10.5 ET30 (Front and Rear)
Tires
305/35R22 (All 4)
Sources
Strongly documented
4 community
2 vendor
The most frequently documented aftermarket setup on the Explorer ST, and the platform's anchor flush spec. ET30 on a 10.5-inch-wide wheel is the offset the community consistently lands on for a clean flush stance; owners typically report the 305/35R22 clears all four corners, including the front fender liner at steering lock, with no spacers or fender work at stock height. Documented across multiple owner builds, including cars running H&R lowering springs (some paired with a Steeda rear sway bar), with owners reporting no rubbing even loaded for a road trip. Overall diameter lands near 30.4-30.7 inches, so no speedometer correction is needed. Tire variants on this same wheel: a taller-sidewall 305/40R22 is run by owners who want extra ride compliance, but it is documented as producing slight rub at full turn on lowered and stock cars alike; a 315/35R22 is the documented outer limit for width. Hub-centric rings are commonly required — OEM bore is 70.5mm and most aftermarket wheels use a larger 72.6mm or 76.1mm bore. Commonly paired tire options: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02, Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season Plus.
Stanceflush → poke
OEM
Aggressive
RWD + AWDDaily
Wheels (All 4)
20×9.5 ET33 (Front and Rear)
Tires
285/50R20 (All 4)
Sources
Documented
1 community
The comfort-oriented option for owners who prioritize ride quality over a low-profile look. The taller 285/50R20 measures roughly 31.2 inches — a bit taller than the OEM 30.7 inches but inside the platform's practical clearance ceiling — and the extra sidewall noticeably cushions road impacts compared with the 295/45 and 305/35 setups. The narrower 9.5-inch width at ET33 tucks the wheel face in a touch more than the 10.5-inch ET30 builds, giving a more conservative, OEM-adjacent stance. Documented on a 2020 Explorer ST owner build reported as fitting with no issues; the owner notes a 285 is on the wide side for a 9.5-inch rim but mounts and runs fine. Hub-centric rings are commonly required — OEM bore is 70.5mm and most aftermarket wheels use a larger 72.6mm or 76.1mm bore. Commonly paired tire options in this size lean toward all-season and all-terrain-leaning touring tires: Continental CrossContact LX25, Michelin Defender LTX M/S, Toyo Open Country Q/T.
Stanceflush → poke
OEM
Aggressive
RWD + AWDDaily
Wheels (All 4)
20×10.5 ET30 (Front and Rear)
Tires
295/45R20 (All 4)
Sources
Documented
2 community
1 vendor
The 20-inch take on the platform's ET30 flush spec — same 10.5-inch width and ET30 face position as the Most Popular 22-inch setup, stepped down a wheel diameter for more sidewall and a softer ride. The 295/45R20 measures about 30.5 inches, within a fraction of the OEM 30.7, so no speedometer correction is needed while the 295mm width fills the arch flush. Documented on installed 2020 Explorer ST owner builds reporting no issues at this exact spec, with the same wheel/tire also documented at the slightly-more-tucked ET32 and ET35 offsets (about a quarter inch further in) for owners who want a hair more inner-clearance margin. Hub-centric rings are commonly required — OEM bore is 70.5mm and most aftermarket wheels use a larger 72.6mm or 76.1mm bore. Commonly paired tire options: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus, Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season Plus.
Our Process
What happens when you build with FMB
The configurations above are a starting point — not a final spec. When you start your Ford Explorer ST build, here's what actually happens before anything is forged:
FMB sanity check.
We cross-reference the configuration you're ordering against your trim and brake package, and compare it to what's commonly documented on similar builds. If the setup you want falls outside what we've seen work on this platform, we'll flag it before you commit.
Manufacturer engineering verification.
Our manufacturing partner verifies the wheel itself — backspace, brake caliper clearance for your brake package, and structural spec — before production begins.
Design render approval.
You see the final design and confirmed specs before any aluminum is touched.
Ride height, tire choice, alignment, and suspension setup are variables your installer handles on the car — not things we verify from our end. That's why we ask for the vehicle details we do on the build form: they're the inputs we can actually check against.
What wheels come stock on the 2020-2024 Ford Explorer ST?
Every 2020-2024 Explorer ST came standard with 20×8.5 ET44.5 five-double-spoke machined black aluminum wheels (Ford part number LB5Z-1007-D) on 255/55R20 Michelin Primacy A/S tires. The optional ST Street Pack upgraded to 21×9 ET37.5 seven-spoke gloss black wheels (LB5Z-1007-F, or LB5Z-1007-G polished) with 275/45R21 Pirelli Scorpion Zero A/S tires, and also added enlarged front and rear brake calipers with red paint. The ST High Performance Pack included the same wheels and brake hardware as the Street Pack plus upgraded brake pads. Both factory wheels are square and land at roughly 30.7 inches overall diameter.
What are the bolt pattern, center bore, and torque specs for the Explorer ST?
Bolt pattern is 5×114.3 (also expressed as 5×4.5-inch). Center bore is 70.5mm. The Explorer ST uses lug nuts with M14×1.5 thread pitch and a 60-degree conical seat. Torque specification is 150 lb-ft (204 Nm). Note that the ST uses M14 studs — some generic Explorer references cite M12 specs, which apply to other Explorer trims but not the ST.
What aftermarket wheel sizes are commonly documented on the Explorer ST at stock ride height?
The platform is run square, and three setups are documented. The most frequently documented is 22×10.5 ET30 with 305/35R22, reported across multiple owner builds as a clean flush fitment with no spacers or fender work at stock height. The 20-inch equivalent, 20×10.5 ET30 with 295/45R20, keeps overall diameter near OEM (about 30.5 inches) and is the choice for owners who want more sidewall on a 20-inch wheel. A more comfort-oriented option is 20×9.5 ET33 with a taller 285/50R20 tire, documented on an owner build as fitting with no issues. All three fit without fender work at stock ride height, with hub-centric rings as a near-universal requirement; verifying clearance through the full steering range is commonly cited as best practice.
What is the critical offset for the Explorer ST?
On a 10.5-inch-wide wheel, the Explorer ST community consistently cites ET30 — with some builds at +30 to +32 — as the flush target. Going below ET30 on a wide tire begins to encroach on the front strut and sway bar. Tire choice at this offset matters as much as the offset itself: a 305/35 is commonly reported to clear all four corners, while a taller-sidewall 305/40 on the same wheel is documented as producing slight rub at full steering lock against the front fender liner. A 315/35 is the documented outer limit for width on a 10.5-inch wheel. Evaluate clearance through the full steering range, and pair any wide tire with careful sidewall selection.
What's the difference between flush and aggressive fitment on the Explorer ST?
Flush fitment means the tire sits level with or just inside the fender edge at stock ride height — on the Explorer ST that is the 10.5-inch-wide, ET30 territory the documented setups occupy. More aggressive stance on this platform comes mainly from tire choice (a taller or wider tire like 305/40 or 315/35 on the same wheel) and from lowering, rather than from dropping offset further, because lower offsets push a wide tire toward the front suspension and liner. The stance dots on each card map this spectrum — 1 dot is the most conservative documented setup, 5 dots the most aggressive.
Should I run a square or staggered setup on my Explorer ST?
Run square. The OEM configuration is square, and every documented aftermarket fitment on the Explorer ST is square — the same size at all four corners. The platform is offered in RWD and AWD, and a staggered setup introduces a front-to-rear rolling-diameter mismatch that can stress the AWD driveline; the community discussion consistently warns against running mismatched front and rear diameters on these cars. Square setups also allow tire rotation across all four corners and are simpler to source. If you are set on any front-to-rear size difference, verify it against your owner manual first.
How do RWD and AWD fitments compare on the Explorer ST?
Wheel hardware is identical on both drivetrains — 5×114.3 bolt pattern, 70.5mm center bore, M14×1.5 lug nuts, 60-degree conical seat. The documented square setups apply to both RWD and AWD cars. The AWD-specific consideration is rolling diameter: because the platform is run square, front and rear diameters stay matched, which keeps AWD owners within tolerance. Any move to mismatched front/rear sizes is where AWD owners need to verify against the owner manual; that is the buyer's responsibility.
Will the ST Street Pack brakes fit under any aftermarket wheel?
The ST Street Pack and High Performance Pack brakes (enlarged front and rear calipers) require a minimum 20-inch wheel — they will not clear 18-inch wheels. For 20-inch and larger wheels, clearance also depends on spoke geometry and barrel depth, so there is no universal safe rule by diameter alone. At 20×10.5 ET30, owners commonly report Street Pack calipers clear without issue on most spoke designs, but the reliable practice is to request a brake clearance template from the wheel manufacturer before purchasing. Cars with the standard ST brakes (silver calipers) have more clearance margin than Street Pack cars.
What lug nuts do I need for aftermarket wheels on the Explorer ST?
The Explorer ST uses M14×1.5 thread-pitch lug nuts with a 60-degree conical (tapered) seat. Many aftermarket wheels use a ball-seat or flat-seat design, which requires matching aftermarket lug nuts — the OEM conical nuts will not seat correctly in a ball-seat wheel. Always verify the seat type your aftermarket wheel requires and purchase matching lug nuts; using mismatched seat types is a safety issue regardless of whether the nuts thread on.
Do I need hub-centric rings for aftermarket wheels on the Explorer ST?
The Explorer ST hub bore is 70.5mm, and most aftermarket wheels are drilled to 72.6mm or 76.1mm for broader compatibility. If your wheel's center bore is larger than 70.5mm, polycarbonate or aluminum hub-centric rings are required to properly center the wheel on the hub. Lug-centric mounting (without rings) works mechanically, but hub-centric centering is the preferred practice. Rings are inexpensive and widely available — always verify your wheel's center bore spec before ordering. For custom forged wheels, FMB can machine the bore to 70.5mm directly so no rings are needed.
What about spacers on the Explorer ST?
Spacers are sometimes used to fine-tune stance with off-the-shelf wheels, and extended lug hardware sized to the spacer thickness is required for safe thread engagement. For custom forged aftermarket wheels, FMB delivers at the effective offset directly — the cards above show as-forged offsets, so you get the intended face position without stacking a spacer behind a higher-offset wheel. That is a cleaner installation than running a spacer to reach the same stance.
What are the best winter wheel options for the Explorer ST?
A common winter setup is running the OEM 21×9 ET37.5 wheels (or a dedicated 18-inch or 19-inch set) with a winter-specific tire. On the OEM 21-inch rim, owners have run 275/45R21 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV and Michelin X-Ice Snow with no clearance issues. For serious snow, a narrower tire on a smaller wheel typically outperforms a wide low-profile setup — 18-inch or 19-inch wheels with a 255/65 or 265/60 winter tire are commonly cited for snow regions. Narrower is generally better in snow, so a step down in width for winter is worth considering.
Does this guide apply to the 2025-2026 Explorer ST?
The aftermarket fitment guidance carries over directly — the 2025-2026 facelift shares the same U625 platform, suspension geometry, clearance envelope, bolt pattern, bore, thread pitch, and torque spec. The main difference is on the factory side: the 21-inch wheel that was optional via the Street Pack on 2020-2024 cars became standard equipment (in a new Magnetite finish) on every 2025+ ST, and the 20-inch base wheel was dropped. If you have a 2025 or newer ST, see our separate 2025-2026 Explorer ST guide for the updated factory configuration; the documented aftermarket setups are the same.
How does FMB verify fitment before forging my wheels?
Every FMB order goes through a sanity check and an engineering verification before any aluminum is forged. First, our team cross-references the configuration you're ordering against your trim and brake package and flags anything that falls outside what's commonly documented on similar Explorer ST builds. Second, our manufacturing partner verifies the wheel itself — backspace, brake caliper clearance, and structural spec — before production begins. You then approve the final design render and confirmed specs before any work starts. Ride height, tire choice, and alignment are things your installer handles on the car; the fitment guides on this site are researched starting points for making those decisions with your installer.
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