Since the last time I posted the wiring is done although I haven't powered up yet . My next task is to swap out the MOPAR WHEELS . Has anyone tried a 4.5 FORD WHEEL on the MOPAR front conversion and if so do they fit ? I have a guy that is interested in trading my set ( Chrysler 5th Ave wheels) for a set of FORD CAR wheels . I would really like to go with the FORD style so that I can run the FORD hubcaps and trim rings . My rear axles are already downsized to the 4.5 bolt pattern . I tried an aluminum wheel from a Explorer but it didn't fit over the front hub . Any thoughts ?

 

go to Tire Rack.com they have good wheel interchange info. If the center hub hole is too small in the steel Ford wheels (by not too much?) you could gring them out. The Ford steel wheels are stud centering, not center hub, so the hub hole doesn't have to be perfect like on aluminum wheels.

 

I thought it was dangerous to grind out that hub hole? Least with 4x4ing.

 

Not if you don't go beyond the lip and don't abuse them. Wheels can be hub centric or stud centric, depending on how they register and center. Most cast wheels are hub centric, the hub centers the wheel and the lugnuts just hold them in place. The wheels are not hard enough to use the stud holes to center. Steel wheels are usually stud centric, the tapered lug nuts center the wheel as well as
hold it in place, the hub hole is just for clearance. In 4x4 use, there is a lot of stress on the lugs due to rocking back and forth and slipping and grabbing so the hub holes help to keep from wallowing out the stud holes in the wheels, especially should the nuts not be tightened sufficiently.

 

Ah ok. I just remembered a debate on Chevys hubs that where slightly larger than Ford/Dodge, but with the 4x4ing that was being done it was pretty extreme and would have been disastrous if it was damaged then driven on a normal road at a faster speed.

 

I am running 17' Mustang wheels on a Volare front end. Had to use a 1 1/4 extender to push the wheels out. The Mustang 5 lug 4.5 inch spacing wheels fit right on the Volare hubs.

 

Opps, have to back track. I re-read the replies and remembered that the center hole on the Mustang wheels was too small for the Volare hubs. I had to use the spacers for the off-set on the Mustang wheels anyway and the spacers solved the center hole issue as well.

 

I tried to use 2006 mustang GT wheels on my truck, but the back spacing was too much for the volate suspension, causing the rim to ride on the top balljoint.

Sam