About This Ford Taurus SHO 2013 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Ford Taurus SHO 2013 sits on a set of 20×9 / 20×9-inch American Racing Cross Fire wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose American Racing for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Ford Taurus SHO builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the American Racing Cross Fire creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: American Racing Cross Fire on the Ford Taurus SHO 2013
I stood right next to this SHO last week and the stance grabbed me immediately. These American Racing Cross Fire wheels in a 20x9 square setup transform the entire profile of the heavy Taurus platform. We rarely see a 20-inch wheel look this proportional on a factory-heavy sedan.
The +35 offset is the secret sauce here. It pushes the wheels out just enough to sit flush with the fenders without needing aggressive spacers. You get a confident, planted look that makes the stock wheels look like tiny spare tires.
Clearance is always the big worry with the SHO’s massive factory brake calipers. Thankfully, the barrel design on these Cross Fires clears the front hardware with room to spare. You won't hear any nasty grinding sounds when you push this boat into a tight corner.
The hub bore on these wheels matches the SHO’s specs perfectly, so we didn't need any annoying hub rings. That means zero vibration at highway speeds. A direct bolt-on fitment like this keeps the steering feel sharp and predictable.
Since the owner dropped the car on coilovers, the fender gap is non-existent. We dialed in just enough negative camber to keep the tires from rubbing the inner liner on big bumps. It is a tight tolerance, but that is the price you pay for this kind of aggressive fitment.
Watch out for the front inner fender liners if you slam your car any lower than this build. The SHO has a fair amount of plastic shielding that loves to catch on wide rubber. A quick heat gun treatment on the liners usually solves any clearance headaches.
The spoke design on the Cross Fire adds a nice bit of depth that makes the wheel look wider than a nine-inch rim. It draws the eye toward the center cap and keeps the car looking busy even when it sits perfectly still. This is exactly how you dial in a heavy daily driver.
What We Recommend for Ford Taurus SHO 2013 Owners
If you want to replicate this look, stick to a 20-inch diameter. Anything smaller gets swallowed up by the massive wheel wells of the Taurus platform. You need the 20-inch rim to balance out the long body lines.
We always suggest a square setup like this for the SHO. Staggered wheels might look cool, but they wreck the AWD system's delicate balance. Keep the same width at all four corners to keep your drivetrain happy and your tire rotations simple.
Regarding offsets, stay between +30 and +38 for that perfect flush look. Going lower than +30 will poke the wheels too far and ruin your paint with road debris. Going higher than +40 makes the wheels look tucked and sad.
Don't be afraid to run a slightly wider tire to fill out the 20x9 rim. A 255 or 265 width tire provides excellent grip and protects the wheel lip from curb rash. We love a meaty tire profile over the stretched look anyway.
Avoid cheap spacers at all costs. If you buy a wheel with the wrong offset, do not try to fix it with a stack of washers or bargain-bin adapters. Buy the right offset the first time so your car stays safe and reliable.
Before you commit, double-check your coilover preload settings. Proper suspension geometry matters more than the wheels themselves for getting the stance right. Get a professional alignment after you bolt these on, or you will burn through expensive tires in one season.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gunmetal finish on these Cross Fires is a stroke of genius against the factory paint. It’s dark enough to look aggressive but light enough to show off the intricate details of the wheel spokes. It feels much more premium than a standard silver or black finish.
This wheel design brings a modern, technical aesthetic to a body style that can easily look like a rental car. The sharp angles of the spokes complement the Taurus SHO’s boxy, muscular shoulders. It turns a sleeper sedan into a legitimate street brawler.
Proportionally, this build hits the sweet spot. The wheels fill the arches just enough to give the car a squat, predatory stance. You can tell this car isn't just for show because the setup feels functional and purposeful.
I have seen plenty of SHOs with cheap aftermarket wheels that look completely out of place. Most owners pick wheels that are too flashy or too thin. These American Racing wheels provide that balanced, OEM-plus vibe that we always chase at WheelFront.
The road presence is undeniable. When this car rolls past, you notice the wheels first, then the aggressive stance, and finally the massive SHO badge on the fender. It’s a complete package that respects the car's roots while pushing it into a different league.
Why We Love This Build
I still think about the way this SHO looked under the afternoon sun. The gunmetal finish caught the light perfectly, showing off the complex spoke work against the shadow of the wheel well. It didn't look overdone or tacky, just clean and incredibly mean.
Seeing a heavy sedan sit this flat on the road makes me smile every time. This owner proved that you don't need a sports car to build something that commands attention at every single stoplight. It is a masterclass in making a heavy chassis look agile.
Every gearhead needs a daily driver that makes them look back when they walk away. This build hits that mark perfectly. Seriously, just go get these wheels.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Ford Taurus SHO 2013
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: American Racing Cross Fire
- Wheel Size: 20×9 / 20×9
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Gunmetal
- Tires: Lexani LX-Twenty 255/35 27″x10″ / 255/35 27″x10″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Ford Taurus SHO owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 20×9 / 20×9-inch wheels fit my Ford Taurus SHO? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Ford Taurus SHO owners run 20×9 / 20×9-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
