Rim help

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Jan 15, 2014 | 01:25 PM

SC78f150

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From: Columbia, South Carolina

Rim help

I have a 1978 F150 4x4 Shortbed. I just bought some used rims with brand new tires on them. My truck has 15's on them now with 31x10.50x15 tires. The rims I am trying to put on there are 16's with 33's on them. The rims ARE ford rims. I took front tire off to put them on and lugs will not line up with holes on rim. Measuring the holes on the 16s are the same measurement as it is on the 15s. I'm not sure why all the studs will not line up? Any info will be helpful as I am not a tire/rim guy. I figured as long as they were the same (5x5.5) they would fit as the 15s did.

Jan 15, 2014 | 02:15 PM

GaMachinist

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After 1996 Ford 5 lug rims changed. They are close but won't fit. You also have to worry about the diameter of the center hole. What truck did you pull them off of?
2000-2004 are 5x135mm, where yours are 5x137mm.

Jan 15, 2014 | 02:41 PM

SC78f150

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From: Columbia, South Carolina

I'm not sure what year truck they came off of. The ones that are on it now are the 15s and could be aftermarket because they have no markings on them. Also the center hole is definitely bigger on the 15s. The 16s seem to barely go over the hubs on the front, not much play between the center hole of the rim and the hub.

Jan 15, 2014 | 03:18 PM

GaMachinist

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Sounds like you have a set of later year rims that won't work. I've been looking for a set of 16" inch myself, but have run into only finding ones off later models too that won't fit.

The only option if you have to keep those is to get an adapter.

Jan 15, 2014 | 03:22 PM

SC78f150

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From: Columbia, South Carolina

I was looking at adapters but don't know which one I have to have. I found a website with a lot of different sizes.

Jan 15, 2014 | 03:25 PM

parkerparkerm

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From: Plant city florida

I was looking at getting 16s too and a guy said he had a set on a 97-03 f150 and they were kinda ugly but he suggested me buying a set of adapters from him. He said he works at a big machining company and he said 150 for all 4 adapters ready to bolt on(and I'm talking about 5x5.5 to 8x6.5 wheels since I have 8 lug 16s). Just a thought- call a local machine shop and see if they'll make you adapters.

Jan 15, 2014 | 05:49 PM

GaMachinist

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If you don't have a CAD software, you'll have to do some geometry to find the bolt hole circle, or take it to a wheel shop and have them size it. Could also ask about adapters while you're there too.