Forgive me. I did search, and I have been crawling thru the threads without success. I also looked at the chart, but it hasn't been updated since '09. So I throw myself at the mercy of the forum, and hope for the best.

< takes deep breath >

I am looking for tall narrow snows and 5x114.3 17" steelies for my 2011 Sport 4x4.

Are there any bizarre considerations such as offset, backspacing or concentric hub bores -- or any other vehicle-specific factors -- that I should watch for in my search for 17" winter steelies? (I have a shot at a set from a recent model Ford Flex that seem too good to pass up.)

And while I have you on the 'phone...

I intend to find a gently-used set of snows (as opposed to brand new) Are there any in the 215-70/17 or 225-70/17 size range that I should hold out for? Anything really amazing that you have found is above the rest of the herd? (My main goal is to keep the road salt off the alloys)

Thank you kindly!

 

for the backspacing don't get anything higher than a 4.5" backspacing because thats what stock is. The higher the number, the more the tire will be sucked under the fenders.

 

Okay...I know a fair amount about wheels & tires, and I thought I was familiar with all the terms, but backspacing is a new one for me! I know for sure that this parameter is not mentioned in the specs of any of the wheels I've ever seen. So how do I verify this, please? Is it as obvious as it sounds? the distance between the hub surface and the inside rim? And I could therefore check it with an 18" straightedge and a tape measure?

 

Where in Ontario are you? I vote goodyears duras. They got excellent winter/snow ratings and I'm happy with them. I don't see much snow but I'm happy with them.

 

yup you got it.

Check this link out, it will help you a bit.
The Ranger Station wheel guide - Everything you need to know!

 

If youre going aftermarket and ordering online, they should list the backspacing specs right on the website. If your going the craigslist route, itll be alot harder to find 17 inch steelies that will fit a ranger. Most jeep rims will fit, but only certain models and up to a certain year think like 2009. But like has been stated, dont go higher than 4.5, itll look goofy. My alloys are 3.5 in and i think they perfectly fill out the fenders. Is there a reason you want 17s for your winter tires? You could get some 15s at a fraction of the cost, with a better selection of tires as well.

 

On some models the 15" ones won't clear the brake calipers.

 

Thank you, gentlemen. Yes - I was concerned that 15's would be a risky gamble based upon caliper clearance; I figgered that virtually ANY 17 with the right bolt pattern would be fine.

I have a chance to pick up a set that came off a Mitsubishi Endeavor which are actually 235-70/16 that sound promising.

But I am troubled by this remark:

"If your going the craigslist route, itll be alot harder to find 17 inch steelies that will fit a ranger"



Really?! So properly-fitting 17's are the exception as opposed to the rule?!

What about 16's? Same issues?

 

I have 16's and am only a few years older then your truck so I have the same caliper issues. I have no problems with the 16's hitting the caliper as they are the stock rims that came with it new.

Ps, make a signature and you never said where in ont you were from.

 

235-60/17 on 5 x 4.5 with 5.25" backspacing. From Explorer Sport Trac.

< crosses fingers >

 

I got burned with the Sport Trac rims. They ended up being 6" on the BS, and rub like crazy at wheel lock. (I only test-fitted one with the truck on the jack) So if they hit that hard at the front, I know they'll look stupid on the rear as well.

< sigh >

But the ridiculous part is finding replacements!!! I have sent a dozen e-mails and called a handful of used rim outlets, and...

a) nobody has even heard of backspacing

b) all of the used sets I'm finding (once I learn the backspacing) are unsuitable (BS too high)

c) I'm starting to believe that -- as was previously mentioned -- the availability of 17's with proper BS is microscopic.

< sigh >

So I started searching for 16's. Not much better luck! There are a few sets out there, but -- once again -- they have a BS measurement of > 5" so I am forced to reject them.

Extremely frustrating!

 

can't you just get a set of ranger wheels from a junkyard? check car-part.com

 

I've had a set of steel and alloy 15's on my 2010 and they have never created any problems at all.

 

in canada, they may use offset instead of backspacing. normally measured in mm.

here's a backspacing to offset conversion chart.

 

Thanks for those responses. Indeed it may seem OFFSET is the preferable term...although the self-teaching websites say that they (BS & ET) are not the same.

I did plug in my search terms on the junkyard site - and it found a few wheels - but...

a) they are mostly too far away (and there's no way I'm going to pay to have them shipped here

b) the cheapest one I could find was $65!

Even if that guy has four of them - and they are close enough that I can go & fetch them in person - I'll be paying $260 for the set. Without tires, mounting or balancing. Too rich for my blood.

It was pointed out to me that rims from a FWD vehicle are always gonna be high BS/OFFSET. And I believe it. That means there's almost no sense looking for car wheels...which I had originally thought might offer something. Do we agree with this? Is there an exception? I wonder if it has been discovered that wheels from a specific RWD vehicle might fit? (without spacers, I mean)

 

that is correct. look at rwd cars with the 5x4.5 (or 5x114.3) bolt patterns.

if you are looking at 16's, crown vic steelies will work. I ran them for about a year with no issues. ill see if i cant find any pics of the way they sat.

 

Thanks - that's be great.

 

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all i could find. this was 6 years ago haha

 

Looks for jeep wheels too. I think they changed from 5x4.5 to 5x5 in 2007 so pre 07 would fit your ranger.

 

stock jeep wheels have a higher offset/backspace than ranger wheels

 

They still fit and work fine. I have them on my old ranger right now and they have been there for almost 4 years. (my parents own the truck now)

 

I was @ Carquest in NY today, and I asked the guy if there was a source for used rims nearby. He gave me a phone # to call, and yes - they had four used 16" Crown Vic steel wheels. $60 ea., and he had no idea what the backspacing and/or offset was. He said he plugged in "2011 4x4 Ranger" and that's what came up.

Sheesh! $240 just for a set of steelies?! I'm gonna keep looking for fitment-specific steelies with snow tires.

 

that sucks. may as well just get a set of cragars at 50 a pop brand new in that case.

 

Well...after extensive searching I located a set of 15" Ranger rims @ the recycler. These are like none I've seen before; they have a "skin" of chrome steel that does not entirely cover the outer surface of the whee (I guess they need centre-caps)l. But they're stamped with the Ford oval, and they're guaranteed to fit the Ranger.

I am a bit skeptical that they will clear the calipers, but I guess I'll find out soon enough!