Dumb question about hubcaps

[James Morse]

On the '97, in front you have the caps going around the hubs, and in back they look the same but are covering it all.
I notice there are cutouts in the rears of them, looks like you are supposed to insert something there to pry them off?
Can't find anything in manual about it. Not sure they even talk about wheels/tires except as it relates to speedo gears, what size fits under the truck, etc.
I will be wanting to change hubs to manual. Don't want to gee something up by doing it wrongly to get caps off.

 

[2011Supercab]

Page 232 of the PDF manual

 

[superj]

Yup, pointy end of lug wrench goes in the notches to take hub caps off. I have them still on my steelies

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My old F-150 had a rubber coated end on the lug wrench for popping the centercaps off.

You can use whatever to pop the caps off but if it isn't the rubber coated tool being steel vs aluminum or plastic you may damage your wheels or centercaps.

Your manual hubs will replace the bit that says "4x4 Automatic" on your front wheels.

 

[Josh B]

If your auto hub has the same locking spring washers mine has you're in for some fun.

They just press on as you tighten the lugs but back them off is another story, I use a couple small fine tip flat screwdrivers to back them far enough out that I can grab them with a paper towel and back them on out. Going back I only use two.

Some probably don't use them at all, I think mine were all absent when purchased, but after having a new tire put on at a sears shop and seeing the dork they put on it with some funky looks on his face, I knew to check it out, and that was my first look at them. Problem is he had popped it off completely and could have lost parts or really screwed something up, and that is the main reason I keep two on the lugs of each wheel

 

[James Morse]

I'm going to look at the diagram of the hugs so I understand what you're talking about. I know there are a bunch of parts in there.
OK so on the hubcaps I get it. Thanks for the diagram and cautions.
Sometimes I use a little softwood stick for something like that if it's strong enough
Or put blue tape around the tip of the jack handle if it doesn't have the special rubber tip which is kind of a cool thing.