'97 Ranger - Upgrade to 15" wheels
 

From what I've seen on Ranger Forums, there are quite a few guys here who know their Rangers, so I know somebody can help me out. I'd like to upgrade the stock wheels on my '97 Ranger, two wheel drive, from 14" to 15." As my Ranger is the poverty, no-frills edition, it does not have power steering so I want to stay with wheels that are 6" wide as anything wider will make it tougher to steer, park, etc. Plus I'm old and lazy. Being retired and on a budget, I'd rather not go the new wheel route but see if I could find four OEM Ford rims that would just mount to my old Ranger as is. Wheels from a Sable, Taurus, Crown Vic, whatever? Something a little better looking than the crappy stock-style wheels that are on it now? I'd prefer steel rims but would certainly consider alloys. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

There are a few things you need to consider. Your wheels have to have a 5x4-1/2 lug pattern. Also, you need to make sure the hub bore in the wheel will fit over the hubs on your brake rotors, and rear axles. You also need to pay attention to backspacing, wheels from a front wheel drive car aren't the best choice for a truck. Wheels also need to be lug centric, and not hub centric.

Taking all of this into mind, it would be best to try and stick with wheels from a Ranger or an Explorer. All 1983-2011 Rangers have a 5x4.5 lug pattern, as do the 1991-2001 Explorers. Wheels from these models will be a direct fit for your truck, especially since you have a 2wd model. Most 4wheel drive Rangers and Explorers will come with 16" rims, so you'll want to look for wheels from a two wheel drive model. You may be hard pressed to find a 6" width because only the "poverty" level wheels came with that width. Most 15" wheels on the Rangers were 7" wide.

There are some very nice aluminum wheels on ebay for about $450, shipped.

dang if you were closer i have a set of 6" wide steelies off the 80's fullsize ford cars for sale. I only want $100 for the set of 4 already stripped of tires weights and valvestems. I intended to use them on my ranger but found a set of 6.5" wide rims that fit my tires better. They have the poverty cap humps on them so you can fit the old ford motor co dog dishes or mine im running the 2001 chrome center cap snapped over the center lug pattern with trim rings (looks like police rims)

Thanks Fordzilla80, I appreciate the info.

Thanks but too pricey for me.

Thanks anyway, dngr Ranger.