Im looking to put a set of 99/00 lightning wheels on my 96. Will the factory lightning wheels be a direct bolt on, or do I have to find replica wheels with the correct bolt pattern?

 

I have been told that they have the same bolt pattern, so it should be no problem.

 

That is not correct. The 97-up F150's used a 5 on 135mm pattern, while the 96-older used a 5 on 5.5" pattern, so the 99/00 lightning wheels will not be a direct swap. A set of replicas with the correct bolt pattern are in order.

 

Hmm, thats funny. Someone on here a while back told me you could use the same wheels. Do the first gen Lightnings have the same bolt pattern as the second gen? I have seen them on older Lightnings a lot, and I remember someone on here with a Lightning telling me that they work. Idk now...

 

There are a few GEN 1 L owners that had the factory 99+ lightning wheels modified. I believe they just opened the holes up a bit and got the 99+ style lug nuts.

There are a few companies that make replicas and for the older wheel bolt spacing; 5x5.5".

 

Oh ok, thanks blurry. What's the cheapest place you guys found the replicas with 5x5.5"?

 

Yeah, where can I find a set of Replicas. I want to put these wheels on my 96.

 

Dont waste the money on the replicas. You can usually find the factory Gen 2 L wheels for 300-400 bucks. All you need to do is open the holes up a bit so the 5x5.5 pattern fits. Its been done a million times and is much cheaper.

 

That's actually what I prefer to do, since I have better access to OEM's. How much do you have to widen them, and how do you adjust for the larger holes?

 

You dont have to open them up much at all, not enough to worry about the hole being too large. I forgot to mention , you'll need a factory style lug nut. Ford can fix you up with those reasonably

 

You use the 99+ Lightning lug nuts? If that's the case, that's no biggie. My dad has an '01 Lightning, and my brother has an '03 Lightning, so I'm going to try and buy theirs from them and they can get some new wheels or something.