97 ranger - Spare Tire wheel won't fit on 4x4 hub

[maro]

97 Ranger. V6, 4x4 auto locking hubs.

First time I've had to change the tire on the truck since I've owned her (2 yrs)

Front right tire is flat. I get the spare out. Spare tire is the same size as what's on the vehicle. I attempt to simply slide the spare on, and quickly notice that the wheel isn't sliding all the way on over the 4x4 hub. It's as though the diameter of the spare wheel's hub opening is slight smaller.

Needless to say I cracked the 4x4 auto lock hub by trying to tap it on over the wheel. Whatever. My questions is.... Why would my spare wheel not fit if the tire size is exactly the same? What do I look for to find out what size wheel (proper hub opening) I need?

thanks for any help

 

[bobbywalter]

possible 2wd wheel


put it on back and the back to front and get the right wheel, depending on rear axle it may not fit that either....hope its ok

 

[maro]

4wd wheel?

thanks for the quick reply

ok. I'll try to do the ol swap around. Put what you are saying is that I should be looking for a 4wd wheel.

odd that the spare is not 4wd. Is is usually the case that the back axel is 2wd and the front is 4wd.


thanks

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

usually the stock steel wheels dont fit over the hubs, but since your truck most likely came with aluminum wheels of the proper size for the 4X4 hubs ford just stuck a steel spare under the bed and called it good.

 

[racsan]

could the inner opening of the spare rim been rusty/corroded enough to not fit over the lockout? my '93 has alloy wheels stock with a steel rim on the spare. it fits over the hub but it is a close fit. the rear flange isnt as close of a fit so the wheel should go on the rear postion fine. i also have a spare from a older ranger ive used on the front of my truck, its a steel spare from a '91 truck. only a 215-75-15 tire but it fits as well. maybe the auto's are slightly bigger, ive swapped mine out for mile marker manual hubs some time ago.