Wheel Frustration

[Rev]

I'm breathing new life into a 1987 Ranger 4x4 STX. After doing a ton of research here and on the internet, I decided to go with the Pro Comp Series 8179 from 4Wheel Parts.

The site says they are available in the 5x4.5 bolt pattern and 15" size. The smallest width is 8" where the stock is 6.5" (according to the tech at the local store). The tech didn't recommend this wheel as he said it would cause the wheel to stick out a further 1.5" which in turn would cause the tire to rub on the back side of the fenders when entering a driveway.

We reviewed every other manufacturer they carry and he said they didn't have an aftermarket solution available, unless I decided to lift more than the stock 3" kit and modify the fenders. He said I could go with stock Jeep wheels if I wanted.

Anyone running aftermarket wheels on a stock '87-ish 4x4?

I've got a ton of meat left on my current tires 235/75/R15 so looking to keep wheel size the same.

 

[metalmacguyver]

If your STX has the 2" highrider package and your running 235s, there is no way in hell you will get those to rub with those wheels.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Can you play with the offset a little to get them to tuck in more?

Keep in mine the High-Rider kit was just a leveling kit, your front end is higher but the back is the same height as a comparable truck without it. You could grab some springs out of an Explorer if you end up needing a slightly (1-2") ride height, and it would give your truck the rake (higher in rear) that it would have had from the factory.

 

[dogboy]

I think he is refering more to the width or at least that's how I understand it.


A 8" wide wheel is too much for stock tires, becuase the wheel is wider than the tire... However, if you got a wider tire, the 8" wheel would be fine.


There has to be some wheel that is under 8" wide...

If what ever wheel you choose will make the tires stick out too far, just get a wheel with more backspacing. For example, get 4" backspacing, not 3.5. Less backspacing will make the wheel/ tire sit out further.

 

[Rev]

I don't think I have the High Rider package (after reading some more on this board). It's a 1987 SuperCab STX. According to info on this page, the High Rider package wasn't available except on the Standard Cab.

I went to another local shop, Tognotti's, and their resident expert said I should have absolutely no problem with a 15" x 8"w wheel. I currently have 235/75R15 tires and he said these will fit perfectly on an 8" wide wheel.

Who is running aftermarket wheels on their '87'ish Ranger 4x4 without fender mods?

 

[lil red]

well, lets put it this way, i have a 4 inch lift, 31 inch tires, and 15x8 wheeles, no rubs, no problems exept they ont stick out as far as id like them to, as long as you dont go insane with diamiter and width, youll be fine

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Who is running aftermarket wheels on their '87'ish Ranger 4x4 without fender mods?

Here is my '85 with 15x7 rims, they measured 4" from the back of the rim to surface that mounts on the hub. Tires are 235/75-15, also keep in mind I have a 3" bodylift with beat down rear springs.

 

[kunar]

215/75/15's on a 15x8 will be fine. you wont rub, dont worry.

i had 215/75/15's on my old truck, on 15x7 wheels, and there was way more than enough room in the wheel well.

 

[86ford]

with these RBVS that have a TTB front end the backspacing is EVERYTHING when it comes to rubbing or not rubbing. if you are willing to cut your fenders you can run 33s stock on the proper rims with ZERO lift. i will say one thing, i am currently running 31/11.5s on rockcrawler? rims with 3.5 or 4.5 BS (bought them used and dident really care due to the price!) they dont have any significant rub and all i had was 1 inch spacers under stock coils with 180K on them....... normally 3.5 BS will do you just fine with a 10.5 or narrower tire because i also run worn 265 70 or 75s on stock 92 STX rims that also have little to no rubbing.

86

 

[Shran]

My '88 came stock with 215/75/15's and there is a ton of space. It's just an XLT too.

However. Backspacing is everything, like 86ford said. I'm running 32's on my '86 with 6" suspension lift and they rub like crazy on the passenger side, with 3.75 backspacing. I just ended up cutting the fenders though.

 

[Rev]

Here's another wheel I'm thinking of getting in 15"..they recommend the exact tires I currently have mounted 235/17/R15

It list's a -19mm offset with 3.34" backspacing. Someone above suggested a backspacing of 4". Will this provide enough backspacing or will they stick out from the fenders a ridiculous amount?

 

[F150hybred]

The wheel you originally picked out will work fie on your truck. Matter of fact, I'm running a similar Pro Comp wheel on my Explorer. 15X8 with a 3.75 back spacing (see my avitar). They DO NOT hang out so far as to warrant any heat from your local police. Yeah, on the front my tires are at the legal limits, but you should not have any issues.

 

[Carlos Murphy]

Wheels

My 88 Extra cab XLT has a 2" factory lift and I fit 33/12 1/2X15 Baja Claws on Mickey Thompson (fake bead lock) wheels with 2" more off-set so they wouldn't rub on the frame but I had to cut the fenders at the flair line and installed rubber flairs from JC Whitney.

 

[Rev]

Here's another option as well...

15" x 8", -30mm offset 3.25" BSM (Back Space Measurment?)

It sounds like I'm going to want the most BSM I can get, right?

 

[98ranger4x4]

you can get aftermarket 15x7s which would solve your problem, eagle alloys has them in a 15x7 with a 0mm offset wich would work perfect with your 235s (a 15x8 is a little too wide IMO for a 235).