New Wheels in the Future!

[jcrules78]

Hey guys,
I have a 97 GM and currently have 4 studded Firestone Winterforce tires mounted on my stock 15in hubcap covered steel wheels. I need to buy a set of spring/summer tires so I can get these winter tires off soon, so I was thinking of purchasing another set of wheels so the installation will be easy between seasons. The wheel size could be 15-17 inches depending on the best deal that I could get and the wheels don't have to be brand new/perfect looking. Anyone here have any suggestions on websites/online businesses that I should investigate where I could get a good deal on wheels that would fit my ride? I already checked tirerack.com and the wheels there were a bit more than I want to spend. For me the cheaper the better, as long as they look decent and aren't warped or bent. I thought my best bet would be to score some used black steel police wheels with the chrome trim, but I don't really know where to look to score those. Any suggestions would be awesome, I really need to get these studded tires off soon.
Thanks,
JCRULZ
PS My GM is a GS and is silver in color with navy blue pinstriping.

[jcrules78]

Anyone have a website or list that shows which Ford/Mercury/Lincoln/Mazda wheels can be immediately swapped onto a 97 GM without any modifications necessary? I went to the local junkyard and there are a whole bunch of models within the Ford family of cars and trucks that share the 5 lug 114.3
spacing, but I am not sure if there are differences between the backspacing/offset or not. I was looking at a set of nice condition 15 in alloy wheels off a 96 Lincoln Town Car that share the same spacing specs as the GM but I wasn't sure about backspacing. The guy wanted 50 bucks a piece for the wheels and they are in awesome shape. Please forward me a link if you have any websites that could help me out.
Thanks,
JCRULZ

[andymac0035]

I was looking at a set of nice condition 15 in alloy wheels off a 96 Lincoln Town Car

Those will fit your car with no issue's. (I don't like the price though).
1998 was the year these cars got the bigger brakes requiring at least a 16" wheel.

[jcrules78]

Thanks Andy, what do you think would be a good price for those wheels. I might be able to talk the dude down. Did you have to do something to those Lincoln wheels you have on your box CV to convert them? That year CV had a 4 bolt pattern didn't it?
JCRULZ

[87gtVIC]

No he had to do nothing The bolt patterns are 5X4.5 for all panthers.

[andymac0035]

87gtVIC is exactly right, they just bolted straight on.
The place where I go charges $75 a pair for aluminum wheels, $50 for steel wheels.
I have 6 of these (4 where given to me). I needed centers though. ($20 for 4)
The wheels and (studded) snow tires you see on the back on my car were had for $125 total.
Shop around, I've seen good deals on here too.

Basically, if it's a 79-02 panther, it's wheels will fit your car.
Ranger/explorer wheels are a direct fit too.

[pantera77]

The place where I go charges $75 a pair for aluminum wheels, $50 for steel wheels.

Whoa. I was mad at my yard for their $25 aluminum and $10 steel prices. Of coarse all the aluminum wheels are always corroded to hell.
Craiglist is a great place to find cheap wheels.

[jcrules78]

Thanks guys, I looked at some Explorer wheels too but they were pretty rough. If Ranger wheels fit, I imagine the Mazda B-Series truck which is related to the Ranger must be direct fit as well. I've done some research and it seems that I have many choices within the Ford family to pick from. This should be interesting!!
JCRULZ