So I'm trying to update my rims because someone decided they wanted to steal one of mine, but I know nothing about rims. All I know is the ones on there now are 15 inch. What numbers do I need to look for while I'm shopping around? Can I go to a larger size like 17 without doing anything other than getting new tires? Any help would be appreciated. 81 f150,

 

f150's all had 5 on 5 1/2 inch bolt pattern. This pattern was shared by some other vehicles also, and was used by Ford all through the 60's up to the mid 90's. Take one of the rims you still have, turn it so it's face down and take something flat and lay across the back of the rim from one side to the other. Don't let it touch the tire. You might as well make up something you can take with you if you go junkyarding or go on a wild goose chase answering a craigslist ad. Lay this piece down on the rim, and then take a measuring tape and measure from the flat piece to the spot where the stud holes are. This will be your backspacing.

You may also want to get a cereal box and lay it against this same area and use a pencil, draw around each hole and also the center hole. This will make sure you get the 5 on 5 1/2 pattern, and if your truck is 4x4, you need to make sure the hole in the center of the wheel is large enough to clear the 4x4 hub.

You are pretty much going to be stuck with a 15 inch tire and wheel, unless you buy a aftermarket rim. I have seen some aftermarket rims(cheap wagon wheels) that were 16 inch with the 5 on 5 1/2 pattern, but I don't know if they make 17's.

Your cut-off date if you are looking in the junkyards is around 96, when they went to a metric lug pattern. I have heard some of the vans kept the american pattern a little longer, and I believe Dodge may have used this same pattern in their earlier trucks also.

 

I had a similar situation.

I got a set of rims off of a 95 4wd.

I am running a set of 31-10.50 on them..
Here's a pic of them on my old rag..

 

my 1956 F100 has the same bolt pattern as my 1995 f150 had. Got to love that kind of consistency!

 

MY 81 f100 4.9 4sp OD with 2.47.1 rear and it has 5x4.5 bolt pattern for the rims. also its a dog on hills but I found that the Vacum advance isnt working so iam going to replace the dist and the ecm box . if if that dont work Iam going to change the rear gears or drop another motor or both .

If anyone needs any 78 f150 4x4 parts let me now have a donor truck

 

I have a link to a wheel bolt pattern chart at work that I can post Monday. Gives 1000s of vehicles patterns so you can see what will fit.
I am not sure if the 5 bolt will match up like the 8 bolt will, but dodge 8 bolt rims fit on the ford 8 bolt. Maybe the dodge 5 bolt will too.

 

I'll be looking out for that chart from you, and you'll have a rep coming your way when you post it!!

 

Be careful. Like I said, the bolt pattern may be the same, but the hole needs to be big enough in the center, and the backspacing needs to be close to clear the brake caliper.

 

Does any one know the back spacing to the old ford steel wheels I have two for the front and i was thinking of getting these for the rears

Wheel Vintiques 62-585504 - Wheel Vintiques 62 Series Ford-Chevy Style O.E. Wheels - Overview - SummitRacing.com

I kinda wanted them to have the same or close to the same back spacing so it wont look weird.

 

I just bought a set of 64 Series Wheel Vintique...(chrome..15X7 ) for my '84. 4 inch BS is fine all around. There are some pictures posted here..jv

 

Thanks buddy for the input!

I have to take a look at those pics sometime because now I'm going back ant fourth on 15x8 or 15x7 for the rears

 

I understand backspacing, but what about offset for our trucks? I assume my 85 F150 and my 92 Bronco are the same, but what is it I look for when purchasing an aftermarket rim? Offset is one of the things they ask, and I don't know that value.

I guess I should also ask about lug nut style. 45 or 60 degree? I guess that is controlled by the rim itself, and not the stud or hub design?