97 Ranger wheels on a 87?

[87Ranger4me]

Please don't get mad at me for not trying to figure this out on my own from all the stickys, but I have the chance to buy a set of 2 wheel drive 97 Ranger wheels and tires and I want to put them on my 87 2 wheel drive Ranger, will they fit? I have to make the decision fast before somebody else buys them, but I just want make sure. BTW, only 100.00 for all 4 with the tires already mounted.

 

[JohnnyO]

They will bolt up fine, however there is not as much clearance in the fenders in an 87 as a 97. What size tires?

 

[87Ranger4me]

The tires that are on them now are 215/75/14s, but I would like to go to 225s, but everything is stock, (no lift), do you think they would fit?

 

[FastJake]

Yeah 225s will be fine. That's a tiny difference.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

yep....should do nicely.

 

[87Ranger4me]

Cool, thanks guys I'm picking them up fri. I will post a picture when it all done.

 

[87Ranger4me]

Here is how they turned out.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

clean little truck. ive always been a fan of the "hoof print" wheels. just a nice design.

 

[JohnnyO]

Looks good.

 

[87Ranger4me]

Does anybody know how to stop the "rattling" noise that is coming from the center caps on these wheels? Every bump I drive over I hear a rattling noise in quadraphonic stereo. they look great, but sound bad. Any ideas?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

are you using the lug nuts from the 97? they are needed for the clips under the center caps to hold properly.

 

[87Ranger4me]

Yeah, the guy gave me all 20 of them with the wheels. When I was cleaning them up, I noticed that there are only 3 clips out of the 5 in each cap and most of them are loose. I thought they would tighten up when forced over the lug nuts because it would expand them. Its strange that I can't move the caps at all yet they rattle. Not quite sure what to do.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

theres only supposed to be 3 clips per cap.

perhaps it isnt your caps that are rattling. i'd check the dust cover on your front rotors to make sure it didnt get bent or something while installing the new wheels.

 

[87Ranger4me]

Never heard a sound till the new wheels were put on, I'm going to remove the centers then drive around with the windows down to see if I still hear it. I will report back.