Gentlemen, I need your help. I have my wheel selection down to two different styles, but I can't seem to make my mind up. I have a Canyon Red 2wd 1985 Ford F150 XLT Lariat, and I can't seem to make a decision between two wheels. Help me decide between:

Stock Ford Wagon Wheels:


OR

Aluminum Slot Mags:


Which do you prefer, and why?

 

Factory wagon wheels get my vote. I love how they look on these trucks. Could have sworn your truck already had them though.

 

Thanks for your input, Fordzilla. I knew I could count on you!

My truck currently has a set of the aluminum slot mag wheels that the previous owner swapped on, only they are a much older version from the 1970s. Two of the wheels are damaged, but I always liked the style and considered getting a replacement set. My 1985 brochure lists the Ford Wagon Wheel as the top-of-the-line optional wheel for that year, and I really dig the looks of these as well with the red stripes on the stainless wheel beauty rings.

One day I like the slots, the next day I like the Wagon Wheels...

I see the poll results are tied. More votes, please!

 

No problem man!

We all know i'm an advocate for stock options, so that definitely influences my choice.lol.

Both of those wheels will look great on your truck though!

 

Ford actually had a version of the Slot Mag wheel in the late 1970s and into the early 1980s on the F-Series trucks. The link below shows what the Ford version looked like in 1981:

http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/ford/81fp/bilder/4.jpg

 

The Wagon Wheels just look so much nicer... so much cleaner... Just, it brings out the tires.

The Aluminum ones are just... plain, dull, and boring.

 

polished slot mags..man i wish i could find a set of small bolt pattern / NON uni lug ones!

 

My 1981 F100 has the slotted aluminum wheels that came on it with the red caps on
it. They look good and I second that factory wheels are the best.

 

"NON uni lug ones?" What does that mean?

 

They weren't available in 1985.

I was meaning wheels that were factory on a truck for the year, like whatever is in that brochure, on my truck.

 

Mine aren't standard Ford wheels, but they're similar to the wagon wheels. I painted them gunmetal grey and put on chrome trims, centre caps and wheel nuts and I think they came up pretty well. I haven't seen an alloy wheel that I think really suits these trucks. My vote is for the wagon wheels.

 

You're correct. Note I said "late 1970s and into the early 1980s."

1985 = mid 1980s.

At any rate, the slot wheels I posted are aftermarket Ansen/Sprint wheels made by American Racing. The late 1970s and early 1980s Ford truck version of this style is in fact a copy of the original slot wheels (that look more like the wheels I posted above) but not as deep and the slots are smaller and more angular. I personally don't care for the Ford truck version of the aluminum slot wheel as much as the two choices I listed above.

If I were to go with the Ford wagon wheels, I only want them with the beauty ring with the red stripes as shown above. The problem is I am having a difficult time locating a really nice set of beauty rings with the red stripes.

If I were to go with the aluminum slot mag wheel, I have a set of four red NOS Ford wheel centers that are exactly like what is on the Ford wagon wheels pictured above that I would bolt to the rim, to give it more of a factory look.

 

Hey Lariat, I have two of those trim rings sitting in my shop. I'll check them out tomorrow and see how good the red stripes are. I haven't looked at them in ages.

 

Thanks, Fordzilla.

Just to be nosy, why did you go with the 1992 - 1996 F-Series wheel on your own 1980 truck, if you like the wagon wheels so much?

 

they used to make them with elongated holes for multiple bolt patterns, see pic:


then you have to use an offset washer:


and they were a PITA to change / rotate wheels and tires as you couldnt just slide the wheel onto the studs, because the washers had to line up with the hole in the wheel.