Custom Offsets carries suspension, wheels and tires, performance upgrades, and exterior and interior accessories verified to fit the 2026 Ford Explorer. Whether you are building for street presence or daily utility, we have the parts and the fitment knowledge to back it up.
Wheels, tires, and suspension — the complete package for your build. From leveling kits to 12” lifts, paired with the wheels and tires to match. Every setup backed by guaranteed fitment.
See what other owners are running on their 2026 Ford Explorer – real fitment data from real trucks.
No scripts. No call centers. Our team builds and drives the same trucks you do — every recommendation comes from real-world experience. We’re not selling you a part, we’re helping you build your truck.
The sixth-generation Ford Explorer arrived for 2020 on an all-new rear-wheel-drive-based CD6 platform, a clean break from the front-drive-biased architecture of the fifth generation. Built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant alongside the Lincoln Aviator, this generation comes in both RWD and AWD configurations and spans a wide trim range: from the fleet-oriented Base and the trail-ready Timberline and Tremor, through the sport-tuned ST, up to the Platinum and Platinum Hybrid at the top. Engine options cover a lot of ground: the standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder, an optional twin-turbocharged 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (tuned to 400 horsepower in the ST), a naturally aspirated 3.3L V6 for fleet buyers, and a 3.3L full hybrid for those chasing efficiency. A 2025 refresh brought a redesigned front fascia, a larger grille, revised lighting, and a new 13.2-inch touchscreen. For 2026, the Tremor and Active 100A joined the lineup. The CD6 platform, the broad trim spread, and the strong aftermarket support make this generation one of the more mod-friendly Explorer generations to date.
A leveling kit raises the front of the Explorer to eliminate the factory nose-down rake and bring the front end level with the rear. The result is a cleaner, more planted stance and a little extra front clearance for a larger wheel-and-tire package. Our customers running leveled 2026 Explorers commonly step up to a 22x9 +38 wheel with a 285/45R22 tire, a clean upgrade over the stock 20-inch setup. Leveling kits are a straightforward install and the most popular first move on this platform.
Aftermarket shocks, springs, and struts let you tune the Explorer's ride and handling characteristics beyond what the factory suspension delivers. Lowering springs drop the ride height for a tighter, more aggressive street stance while keeping the factory strut locations. Upgraded struts and shocks improve body control and can be paired with springs for a more dialed-in setup. Our customers running lowering springs on this platform typically go with 20x9.5 +37 wheels on 295/45R20 tires, and the setup almost always bolts on clean with no rubbing reported.
A coilover setup gives you full ride-height adjustability, letting you dial in the exact stance you want and fine-tune the spring rate for your driving style. On the 2026 Explorer, coilovers open up the most flexibility for a lowered street build, letting you run a more aggressive wheel offset and a wider tire under a tighter body gap. This is the top-tier suspension path for builders who want the most control over how the Explorer sits and handles.
A cold air intake or a drop-in performance air filter is the easiest bolt-on upgrade on any Explorer engine. On the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6, a cold air intake improves induction noise and throttle response, giving the engine a more mechanical, purposeful sound under acceleration. Drop-in filters are a no-tools swap that keeps the factory airbox in place while improving flow. Either way, it is a clean starting point for the performance side of the build.
A cat-back exhaust replaces everything downstream of the catalytic converter, leaving the cat itself in place. On the 2.3L EcoBoost, a cat-back sharpens the exhaust note and frees up flow behind the factory system. The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 responds with a deeper, more aggressive tone that matches the ST's performance character. The 3.3L hybrid gets a cleaner-flowing system that reduces backpressure without affecting the hybrid drivetrain. Mid-pipe options are also available for builders who want to address specific sections of the exhaust routing.
Upgraded brake rotors and pads are a high-value upgrade on the Explorer, especially for builds running larger-than-stock wheels and tires where the added rotating mass increases stopping distances. Big brake kits are available for builders who want a more serious brake upgrade. Performance tuners let you recalibrate the engine management system to optimize throttle mapping and get the most out of any bolt-on combination. Oil system upgrades, spark plugs, coil packs, and valve components round out the engine bolt-on catalog for this platform.
The 2026 Explorer's redesigned front fascia and clean body lines give you a strong canvas for lighting and exterior work, whether you are building for street presence or adding functional upgrades for daily use.
For a show-presence build, LED headlight upgrades and tail-light retrofits sharpen the Explorer's look day and night. The 2025 refresh already brought sleeker factory lighting, but aftermarket projector and halo headlight options push the look further. Underbody accent lighting shows off the suspension hardware underneath at meets and adds visual presence after dark. Grille-integrated lighting and amber DRL accents are popular touches that give the front end a more aggressive, intentional character. For builders running the Explorer on trails or in low-light conditions, a bumper-mounted LED light bar or a set of pod lights adds real forward visibility. Fog light upgrades and light guards round out the functional lighting catalog.
On the exterior, nerf bars and running boards are among the most popular upgrades on this platform, improving access to the tall 2026 body. Mud flaps protect the paint from road debris the tires kick up, especially on Timberline and Tremor builds running all-terrain tires. Grille replacements, body accents, and paint protection film keep the front end looking sharp. Fender upgrades and rocker protection are available for builders who want more coverage. A roof rack opens up cargo-carrying options for overlanding or camping setups. Inside, custom-fit floor liners and cargo liners are the first practical upgrade most Explorer owners make, protecting the interior from daily wear. Seat covers keep the factory upholstery in good shape, and interior trim kits and dash covers let you personalize the cabin. Storage accessories and interior protection pieces round out the interior catalog.
Good: A leveling kit to eliminate the factory front rake and level the stance front to rear. Better: Leveling kit paired with upgraded shocks and struts for improved body control and a more planted ride. Best: Full coilover setup with adjustable ride height and spring rate, dialed in for the exact stance and handling balance you want.
Good: A drop-in performance air filter or cold air intake for improved throttle response and induction sound. Better: Cold air intake plus a cat-back exhaust system for better flow and a sharper exhaust note across the engine lineup. Best: Full intake and exhaust combination with upgraded spark plugs, coil packs, oil system upgrades, and a supporting ECU calibration to optimize the whole package.
Good: Running boards or nerf bars, mud flaps, and paint protection film on the front end. Better: Grille upgrade, body accents, fender and rocker protection, and LED headlight or tail-light upgrades for a sharper look. Best: Full exterior package with a roof rack, complete lighting overhaul including underbody accent lighting and grille-integrated lights, upgraded bumper accessories, and a cohesive show-ready exterior.
Good: Custom-fit front and rear floor liners and a cargo liner to protect the interior from daily wear. Better: Full floor liner set, seat covers, interior storage accessories, and interior trim accents. Best: Complete interior protection and personalization package with premium seat covers, dash cover, trim kits, upgraded head unit, and a fully organized cargo area.
Good: 20x9 +35 with 275/55R20 on stock suspension, a clean and confident upgrade over the factory setup that almost always bolts on with no rubbing. Better: 22x9 +38 with 285/45R22 on a leveling kit, a sharper look with the leveled stance and a wider tire, bolts on clean. Best: 20x9.5 +37 with 295/45R20 on lowering springs, a wider, more aggressive fitment that almost always goes on clean with no rubbing reported.
Good: Clean, confident, and practical. A noticeably improved look over stock that drives great every day. Better: Aggressive street presence with a leveled stance and a wider footprint. Turns heads without sacrificing daily usability. Best: A fully committed street build with a lowered, aggressive stance, a sharp interior, and a complete exterior package built to be seen.
It depends on your goal. Builders chasing a cleaner stance usually start with a leveling kit and a wheel and tire upgrade, since those two changes make the biggest visual impact right away. Builders focused on performance often start with a cold air intake and exhaust. There is no wrong entry point: pick the category that matters most to your build and work outward from there. Our team can help you map a build path that fits your priorities.
Yes. Get pre-approved before you start building your cart so you know your budget going in. Pre-approval is fast and does not require a purchase to complete. Once you know what you are working with, you can build out your full setup, suspension, wheels and tires, performance, exterior, and interior, and check out with confidence. Financing lets you do the whole build now instead of piece by piece over time.
Absolutely. Our team handles both sides: fitment questions like which wheel offset clears the factory caliper, what tire size fits a leveled Explorer, and how offset affects stance, and install questions like how mods stack together, what hardware you need, and what to watch for during the install. If you are unsure about a specific combo or how a part goes on, reach out and we will walk you through it.
We specialize in fitment. Every part in our catalog is verified to fit the 2026 Explorer, and Our Gallery shows real builds from our customers running real setups on this exact platform. You can see what a 20x9 +35 looks like on a stock Explorer or how a leveled build sits before you buy. That is fitment confidence backed by a real community of builders, not a generic parts list with no context.
