Wheel Size Help!?!?!?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2008
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From: Maryland's Coast
Wheel Size Help!?!?!?
I am looking to put 18 inch wheels on my 1981 F100. I am having trouble determining the correct bolt pattern. My brother's 93 Ranger wheels fit it, so I think it is 5X4.5. Does anyone know if this is correct? Also any ideas on what backspacing the wheels should have and how wide of wheels I should get? Any help is appreciated!!!
New User
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im building an 81 f100 chop top short bed stepside and i don't see how ranger rims fit a full size pickup so you might wanna check again and yea they should be 5lug 4.5 pattern. backspacing doesn't matter all that does is bring the wheels away from the backing plates. width doesn't matter it just depends on how far you want your tires sticking out the wheelwell.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Kuna ID
The early F-100's like yours had the smaller 5x4.5 bolt pattern. I think it changed in late 82 or 83. The rangers have the same pattern as do most jeeps. My brother had ranger wheels on a 98 Wrangler.
Elder User
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From: near Liverpool, England
My '80 has the 5 x4.5 lug bolt pattern, of course mine also have the big center hole so you may need to also go by that somewhat, ya' think? My old Bronco wheels fit my 1967 Jeep pickup.....
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Ford advertised the 1980/83 F100's as a Light Truck.
These have "Swiss Cheese" frames, most of them have 5" x 4.50" bolt patterned wheels, smaller front & rear brakes, different springs, shocks and some front suspension parts.
None of these parts will exchange with any 1979 or earlier F100, or an F150 from any year.
These F100's have limited body styles, engine choices and accessories. No Super Cabs were offered, neither was 4WD. The two V8's offered were the 255 and 302, the 300 or 3.8 V6 were the other engine choices.
These have "Swiss Cheese" frames, most of them have 5" x 4.50" bolt patterned wheels, smaller front & rear brakes, different springs, shocks and some front suspension parts.
None of these parts will exchange with any 1979 or earlier F100, or an F150 from any year.
These F100's have limited body styles, engine choices and accessories. No Super Cabs were offered, neither was 4WD. The two V8's offered were the 255 and 302, the 300 or 3.8 V6 were the other engine choices.
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- Jim
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I've heard similar things before, but wonder about how accurate they are. My 1982 F100 was built in Feb 1982. It does NOT have a "swiss cheese" frame. It has 15 x 5.5" steel wheels with 5 bolts on 5.5" bolt circle. It's built like a brick outhouse. And, for what it's worth, I am the 3rd owner and I know the two previous owners, so I know that it is entirely stock.- Jim
I read and type what the 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog states, so if there's an error, blame Ford, not me.
FWIW: There's always a first time for everything.
I've never seen a 1980/83 F100 without a Swiss Cheese frame, and I've seen 100's of these trucks when they were brand new
and when they were not. 
Moderator
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From: Virginia
The "swiss cheese" frame was standard issue on 1980 f150's. I don't have any personal experience with a 1980 f250, but I bet it has it too. Don't worry about it though, mine was a 4x4, and I never had any problems with it.
Elder User
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NumberDummy - I don't blame you at all. In fact, I would not even go so far as the say outright that you are wrong. I have seen a number of people make the same comments in this forum, and I was just questioning whether it was necessarily true of ALL F100's.
Regarding the frame, maybe if I crawled under an F250 I might suddenly realize that my F100 does in fact have a "swiss cheese" frame.
Regarding the small versus large bolt circle, I have seen many people say that ALL F100's had the 4.5" bolt circle. This left me wondering if all F100's were created equal, or if some of them were heavier duty than others, for whatever reason.
Regarding the frame, maybe if I crawled under an F250 I might suddenly realize that my F100 does in fact have a "swiss cheese" frame.
Regarding the small versus large bolt circle, I have seen many people say that ALL F100's had the 4.5" bolt circle. This left me wondering if all F100's were created equal, or if some of them were heavier duty than others, for whatever reason.
Elder User
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From: near Liverpool, England
Swiss cheese frame?
My 1980 F-100 doesn't have any frame problems
(definitely not swiss-cheese-like) And it has a 351 Cleveland V-8 with a C-6 behind it...........of course it was made in Australia, maybe they made something about them better, huh? I now own & drive it in England.
(definitely not swiss-cheese-like) And it has a 351 Cleveland V-8 with a C-6 behind it...........of course it was made in Australia, maybe they made something about them better, huh? I now own & drive it in England.