A different 5 lug 2nd gen wheel solution........ for the budget minded

I've been asking questions in various threads regarding all kinds of fitments, wheel types, etc. I hope to pull some of those up and link them to this one to give them some conclusion with my little project.

My goal was a wheel set up that fit similar to stock, would have an old school 'rally wheel' flair to it, and the whole shebang be budget minded.

I use my truck a good bit, but I don't offroad in the 'I need 4wd' sense. I don't care about lift or looking like a prerunner/4wd, although I'll freely admit the OE tires are lame and I'm not a super fan of the common gen 2 5 lug steelies.

I found that the wheel that most of us have for a spare (oval holes) also came on the ground for some year models, probably at the base/fleet level. Measuring my spare carefully and comparing to the regular wheel, as you'd expect, it's dimensions are the same. However, it's build a bit differently, and that creates more of a lip (yet with the same offset) so it had potential for a trim ring fitment. Part of the 'rally wheel' look.

So I sourced a full set of the oval holed wheels from @Skyway. I'll leave off the details of our wheeling and dealing, but suffice it to say in the end it was beneficial to both of us.

I sanded, primed, painted and cleared the 'new' wheels, which I had stripped of tires/weights/stems. I scored 1-3/4" polished SS trim rings on eBay for about the the same price as ABS rings at a local parts house, and the SS rings had a much more rugged mounting system.

Based on many posts here, and seeing @Skyways fitment in person, of running 235x75 tires, no lift, no rub, I ordered a set of Bridgestone Duelers from Costco. They were ranked just a touch below Michelin LTX in all the categories on TireRack; the areas the Michelin's were higher in I didn't care about (winter stuff) and the Bridgestones were a LOT cheaper. Bridgestone had $70 off a set of 4, and my membership scored me a free install package (mount, balance, transfer TPMS from old wheels, TPMS refresh pack, nitrogen fill) with road hazard warranty, lifetime rotations/balance and sustaining nitrogen. (not that I care about nitrogen)

So, as everyone here said, tire fitment is great. I'm pleased with the look they give, and expect good service. I think I've achieved my 'rally wheel' look.

I know the big offset, wide wheel, black wheel chrome hating crowd will poo poo it. Don't care. I like it. If I could figure out some chrome center caps that would complete the look.

And did I mention it was budget oriented?

 

You might be able to ditch the center caps and replace them with some chrome dust caps.

 

Considered that, but it really needs the 'depth' of the center caps to look right IMHO. I'd be happy with those in chrome, but having them plated would run more than my whole project (sans tires of course)

If I can find an old school BroncoII/Ranger centercap I'd like to try that for fit. Might work, lug pattern is the same.

 

You could check out ford ranger rims, but not sure on the hub bore. I'd say look at Mitsubishi evo x wheels, but that might be out of your price range and not the style you are looking for. A lot of mazda wheels work. Trying to stay away from car wheels?

 

Umm, the thread and pics are my finished project, not my goal.

 

This is what happens when I read too fast, lol. Better than asking for opinions what others think

 

Past the bedtime....
Hope you like the new tire size! Play around with PSI for the right comfort.


I will give you a couple center caps that I have on hand, you may wish to paint them black for a try?

Have a Super Day!

 

Not sure if I love it, but I certainly don't hate it. Good work putting all the pieces together, Bill.

 

For the centers, I think I would try the route of Rustoleum primer, then Black, then KRYLON chrome, blacked reliefs, finished with KRYLON clear coats......might last awhile.

 

I picked up a set of infinity g35 wheels with good tires but had multiple layers of paint for 200$. Just check craigslist often!!

oh my bad I thought you were wanting more as well....

 

Interesting.

Is the chrome really chrome?

The Lugs are already chrome, so I was thanken black

 

Why paint . Just buy this . Ebay . Just measure inside circle on cap.

 

I know this is a old thread, but I liked the look of the wheels on your truck. Found me some wheels, an some black caps to go with them. Put some taller tires on them, i have silver caps also, not sure which I like best between the 2 colors. I had a similar set up on a 1983 model