97 Explorer Wheels/Tires on 89 Ranger Extended Cab 4x4

[Goodspike]

I have an 89 Ranger STX Extended cab still in good condition, but the tires are old. My SIL is junking a 97 Explorer with nearly new tires--only a few months old.

The Ranger has 215/75/15 tires on 6x15 wheels is a 12 offset.
The Explorer has 235/75/15 tires on 7x15 wheels with a 25 offset. The bolt pattern is apparently the same.

I'm thinking of trying a swap before taking it to the junk yard, getting rid of some even older snow tires on steel rims. I would retain the original aluminum wheels.

Anyone see any issues besides speedometer calibration and maybe a bit more strain on the bearings? Just eyeballing it I'm not seeing any major clearance issues, but the back seems better than the front.

 

[racsan]

the fronts may want to rub at full steering lock on raduis arms and front anti-sway bar close to the frame. only one way to know for sure- bolt ‘em on & see.

 

[Goodspike]

the fronts may want to rub at full steering lock on raduis arms and front anti-sway bar close to the frame. only one way to know for sure- bolt ‘em on & see.

Yeah, it's the fronts I'm concerned about. I suspect worst case I'll be able to ditch the old snow tires and steel rims and then find a buyer for the Explorer tires/wheels.

 

[Goodspike]

Turns out it works! At the extreme turning radius there is more than a finger-width space between any inside suspension part on the front. Seems to give a slightly heavier feel on the steering wheel. Surprisingly it seems to climb the hills that were marginal in 4th just as well, and going past one of those radar speed things the speedometer did not seem to be off! I can't explain the latter.

The only thing is the lug nuts for the Explorer are necessary for the hub covers, and the hub covers obviously don't deal with manual locking hubs. If I'd known that I would have bought some new lug nuts beforehand, because I do want to keep my originals.

I know this isn't an Explorer forum, but the issue probably comes up with newer Rangers too. Does anyone know of hub covers that do work with manual hubs?

 

[Ranger850]

Some of the 4x4 hub covers have a hole for the hubs to stick out.

 

[racsan]

do some measurements and get out the sabre saw. I did the same with some centers off of some jeep wrangler steel wheels once.

 

[Josh B]

I woulda recommended swapping rims to keep your original ones

 

[4x4junkie]

The open-ended cover Ranger850 posted was used on '95-'97 4x4 Rangers... Three styles were offered: a silver-painted one for the base steel wheels, and two chromed ones, one being for the "deer-hoof" style alloy wheels, the other for "teardrop" alloy wheels. The teardrop style wheel w/open-end cover was only used on STX Rangers of the above vintage, so they might be hard to find outside of Ebay or Car-Part.com if that's what your Explorer wheels are.

I'd just cut the centers out of two of the ones you have. A Dremel or similar tool I suspect would also work well for this.