Wheel swap

[Vehiclecity]

Same question I see asked over and over but I have a 95 with 14” wheels. I just bought some 15x7 wheels off a 2000-04 ranger but the center hole is a bit bigger and the lug nut doesn’t go all the way with that rim. Just wondering if I need to get different wheels or another part.

 

[SenorNoob]

Can you get a picture of the mismatch? I'm having trouble visualizing it.

 

[JoshT]

Vehiclecity, for future reference the "1983-2011 Ford Ranger Mini Trucks" section is for posting pictures of your truck and what you're doing on it, not for asking technical questions. It's supposed to be a virtual carshow and build log for lack of a better description. It's already here so don't start another, either it'll stay here or the moderators will move it to the appropriate section.


As long as the bore (center hole) of the later model wheels is larger than the spindle (part sticking out of the brake rotor), the difference is not a big issue on Ranger wheels. For the lug nuts, it sounds to me like you might be trying to use the wrong style of lug nut for the wheel.

As SenorNoob said post pictures of what you have and are trying to work with. There were a few different wheel, center cap, and lug nut styles used over the years. Pictures will be easier for us to decypher than attempting to describe it. As they say, a picture is worth 1000 words.

 

[pjtoledo]

for aluminum wheels use a nut like this.
works on steel too, but steel can chew up the tips.

NAPA Zinc Plated Lug Nut 1/2 in - 20 3/4 in (Sold as Each) NOE 6414335 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts

 

[scotts90ranger]

If the lug nuts don't go all the way down you need different lug nuts, the center hole in the wheel shouldn't be the issue, I'm running '09 wheels on my '97 but I'm using the stock lug nuts with the bump to catch the stock center caps.

 

[JoshT]

for aluminum wheels use a nut like this.
works on steel too, but steel can chew up the tips.

NAPA Zinc Plated Lug Nut 1/2 in - 20 3/4 in (Sold as Each) NOE 6414335 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts

Probably, but it depends on which aluminum wheels he has. IMO we probably need to see what wheels he has before suggesting the right nuts.

 

[Brain75]

Without pics I am taking some guesses, but most of the 14" wheels used "acorn" style lugnuts, and the explorer/newer ranger (that use centercaps) use the "lip" style. pjtoledo's pic is the lip style and the correct for the wheels that take centercaps. FWIW, if you have a u-pull-it style yard near you, you should be able to get a full set of lugnuts in the lip style for next to nothing compared to buying them new (again, IF that is what you need). I don't know for 100% sure, but all the 1st/2nd gen 14" wheels I have seen use the acorn style - didn't pay attention to 3rd gen 14".

 

[Vehiclecity]

Can you get a picture of the mismatch? I'm having trouble visualizing it.

Vehiclecity, for future reference the "1983-2011 Ford Ranger Mini Trucks" section is for posting pictures of your truck and what you're doing on it, not for asking technical questions. It's supposed to be a virtual carshow and build log for lack of a better description. It's already here so don't start another, either it'll stay here or the moderators will move it to the appropriate section.


As long as the bore (center hole) of the later model wheels is larger than the spindle (part sticking out of the brake rotor), the difference is not a big issue on Ranger wheels. For the lug nuts, it sounds to me like you might be trying to use the wrong style of lug nut for the wheel.

As SenorNoob said post pictures of what you have and are trying to work with. There were a few different wheel, center cap, and lug nut styles used over the years. Pictures will be easier for us to decypher than attempting to describe it. As they say, a picture is worth 1000 words.

Yeah I guess I just found one that looked most helpful but good to know. They are on now. The center hole was just making me overthink and the lug nuts just had to work down a little further on the new wheels. I just backed them off cleaned the stud and tightened again. Good to go now. Thanks for the replies!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’m moving this to the proper forum section…