Hey guys, im pretty new here but ive found more that 1 thread helpful in keeping my 2002 Ranger XLT running and looking like it did day one. Recently i purchased explorer rims off of 95stx, and for the price i could not ask for more. I received the rims and there are very minor cosmetic wear or blemishes. So i grabbed a set of 245/70/16 Goodyear Wrangler's i had kicking around my shop. Once i mounted and balanced the Wheels and tires, i noticed three things: The wheels were very far into the wheel wells, the truck sat lower (due to the tires) and my stock ford center caps did not fit. I am pretty much asking for ANY opinion on wheel spacing, tires, and center caps. Also, if any of you have any spacers or center caps laying around i would like some pics and prices. The pics are of the truck in its current state.

 

Buy new rims with less back spacing that will bring the wheels/tires out some.
Wider rims will do it too.
If you want to keep the stock wheels/tires then spacer are the only way, ALTHOUGH, I do not like them nor recommend them.

Tire size is the only factor in overall height on a stock vehicle.
Attempting to lift the vehicle with t-Bar tightening results in more open space above the tire and a funny look and a harder ride.
If a higher and wider look is what you want then a lift kit with new wheels and tires are the way to go.

Cntr Caps - OEM Only.

I hope that helps some.

 

Thanks, i was afraid it would come down to a whole different set up..

What reasons do you have for not recommending them?

 

IMHO… stress on the lugs but if it’s only 1” it would be similar to a wider rim.
I have never liked wider than an 8” rim or the spacers, just me I guess.

 

A wider rim does not add additional strain on the lugs in the same way that wheel spacers do. I don't like wheel spacers because it takes a hubcentric wheel and forces it to be lugcentric because the wheel hub hole no longer contacts the wheel hub and relies on the wheel studs for positioning. Also, the point where the lugs themselves would experience shear loading is now offset from the surface of the hub. This is not that big of a deal because the friction forces between the back of the wheel and the hub surface of a properly torqued wheel resist this force.

It is possible to get hubcentric wheel spacers but they are comparatively expensive and few people spend the money on them.