F100 Wheels
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F100 Wheels
Hello,
First and foremost my apologies for my signature. I'm new here and made a typo when entering it so in case anyone is wondering I do not have a rare F140. Sorry about that.
I have three 80 - 86 Ford trucks. Two are F100 fleetside shortboxes. One is an '81. The other is an '82. I also have an '86 F150 4X4.
I was looking at some of the members trucks ... specifically F100's and I notices that some folks are running newer F150 wheels (aluminum or chrome which look great). My experience has been that my F100s have the "smaller" car / Ranger bolt pattern and the F150 wheels will not fit. I'm curious what, if anything, people have done to achieve this? I'm assuming I would have to change the rear axle shafts and front spindles? Any thoughts / comments would be appreciated. I've always passed on opportunities to get some F150 wheels simply because they do not fit.
Thanks in advance.
First and foremost my apologies for my signature. I'm new here and made a typo when entering it so in case anyone is wondering I do not have a rare F140. Sorry about that.
I have three 80 - 86 Ford trucks. Two are F100 fleetside shortboxes. One is an '81. The other is an '82. I also have an '86 F150 4X4.
I was looking at some of the members trucks ... specifically F100's and I notices that some folks are running newer F150 wheels (aluminum or chrome which look great). My experience has been that my F100s have the "smaller" car / Ranger bolt pattern and the F150 wheels will not fit. I'm curious what, if anything, people have done to achieve this? I'm assuming I would have to change the rear axle shafts and front spindles? Any thoughts / comments would be appreciated. I've always passed on opportunities to get some F150 wheels simply because they do not fit.
Thanks in advance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
Only the power brake equipped F100's run the smaller pattern, manual brake, and I believe higher GVWR optioned trucks got 5x5.5" the same as F150's.
To swap to the F150 bolt pattern, you need to swap to F150 components, I know in the front that means everything including the spindles, in the rear, it's probably everything from the backing plates out, including the axle shafts.
To swap to the F150 bolt pattern, you need to swap to F150 components, I know in the front that means everything including the spindles, in the rear, it's probably everything from the backing plates out, including the axle shafts.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
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From: Florida
I got lucky with my F100,it had the 5x5 1/2 bolt pattern from factory.It has power brakes,but it also has a 5150 GVWR,so it got the bigger bolt pattern.
I put wheels from a 94 F150 on my truck,and they made the truck look so much better.I agree with 82F100SWB,you're gonna be swapping out some components.
I put wheels from a 94 F150 on my truck,and they made the truck look so much better.I agree with 82F100SWB,you're gonna be swapping out some components.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Since you have a couple trucks with the smaller bolt pattern, you can look for Ranger/Explorer wheels. Many times the ranger and explorer offered the same wheels as the F150/E150/Bronco, but they also use the 5x4.5 bolt pattern.
That would be much easier and cheaper than swapping to the 5x5.5 stuff.
That would be much easier and cheaper than swapping to the 5x5.5 stuff.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
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From: Florida
That sounds simple enough,but i've only seen one or two F100's with Ranger/Explorer wheels.I know the question of the center hub clearing has been brought up before,but i've never heard of an answer.I always wanted to try it,but I don't have an F100 w/5x4 1/2 bolt pattern to try it on.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
That is a good question. I know there were a couple different sizes of centerbore used on stock wheels over the years. I would think the 15" wheels used on Explorers and Rangers have a larger centerbore than most car wheels, since both were offered in 4x4 trim. The 14" wheels might not work, though.
Elder User
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From: Colorado
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Hi Guys,
Thanks for the responses. They make a lot of sense. Right now for winter wheels I have a set of Crown Vic (Police Wheels) which are 16". The offset is correct and no problems with clearance around the hubs. I purchased a set of Ranger FX5 Alcoa wheels which I am planning on putting on this summer. I think they will look very good and allow me to keep a Ford wheel and center cap. I've always liked the 94-96 Steel / Chrome wheels as well as the 87-96 Aluminum wheels but have opted not to do the work to change everything over in an effort to try to keep the truck fairly stock. Forgot to mention ... both my trucks have power brakes.
Thanks
Thanks for the responses. They make a lot of sense. Right now for winter wheels I have a set of Crown Vic (Police Wheels) which are 16". The offset is correct and no problems with clearance around the hubs. I purchased a set of Ranger FX5 Alcoa wheels which I am planning on putting on this summer. I think they will look very good and allow me to keep a Ford wheel and center cap. I've always liked the 94-96 Steel / Chrome wheels as well as the 87-96 Aluminum wheels but have opted not to do the work to change everything over in an effort to try to keep the truck fairly stock. Forgot to mention ... both my trucks have power brakes.
Thanks
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Sin City
Only the power brake equipped F100's run the smaller pattern, manual brake, and I believe higher GVWR optioned trucks got 5x5.5" the same as F150's.
To swap to the F150 bolt pattern, you need to swap to F150 components, I know in the front that means everything including the spindles, in the rear, it's probably everything from the backing plates out, including the axle shafts.
To swap to the F150 bolt pattern, you need to swap to F150 components, I know in the front that means everything including the spindles, in the rear, it's probably everything from the backing plates out, including the axle shafts.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Different combos might have canceled out some of the options.My F100 has power brakes,but since it has a 5150 GVWR,it got the 5x5 1/2 bolt pattern.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Sin City
Yeah, My son's is only 4700#s.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
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mine's an '81 with power brakes, 4700#, and 5on4.5" BP...which i dont understand why they would've made that light of a GVRW...with me and a half tank of gas the truck weighs 4000#...so i can only put 700# of stuff in the bed, my wrangler will carry more.
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