sna77

My 1997 F150 2WD has 12mm wheel bolts. I would like to replace the wheels with a used set of OEM wheels in better condition than my current wheels.

From searching this forum, I've discovered that while 99-03 F150s shared the same 5 x 135mm bolt pattern and offset, that the 97-99 wheels used 12mm wheel bolts and the 00-03 wheels used 14mm bolts.

When looking for used OEM wheels, it appears that they either come with 14mm holes (for the 12 mm bolts) or 16mm holes for the 14mm bolts. I see no distinction in bolt hole size when looking at aftermarket wheels, however. Most of the aftermarket wheels I've seen all say "fits 97-03."

So the question is: Will any OEM wheels from 97-03 F150s fit, or do I need to find wheels with 14mm holes, not 16mm holes? And if I find wheels with 16mm holes, would any modification be needed to my truck to make them fit? I much prefer the look of the newer style wheels.

Thanks

garbill2003

Good question but as far as i know they all work

sna77

I don't really know what I'm talking about, but it would seem that the extra 2mm gap might leave the wheels loose... Or even worse that the lug nuts from the 12mm wheels wouldn't be large enough to cover the holes...

sna77

Anyone have an idea? would really like to order some wheels this week.

thx!

blackoutoffroad2wd

Just put in ur truck info on whatever website ur using and u should be fine.

sna77

Well, I'd prefer not to chance it by just ordering something on a whim, and hoping it fits. There could be legitimate safety concerns putting wheels that have too big a whole around the lugs. Before I drop $600+ on wheels, I'd prefer to know for certain that they fit properly.

As for "putting my info into a website" I called Tire Rack and asked about their selection of aftermarket wheels. They had no data about different lug sizes for 97-03 wheels, and only offered that if I bought them and they didn't fit I could return them. Geez, thanks Tire Rack...

A7X

The lug stud/lugnut sizes do not matter...

Factory wheels are hubcentric, meaning the wheels center themselves on the raised centric ring on the hubs mounting surface, the lugstuds play no role in centering the rim they only supply clamping pressure via tightening the lugnuts with captive washers on them...

All 97-03 factory wheels interchange 2wd-4wd, 14mm studs or 12mm studs...

Most all aftermarket wheels are lugcentric, meaning the wheels are centered via the lugstuds in combination with the acorn style lugnuts... The taper on the acorn pulls the wheels to center upon tightening...

All aftermarket wheels made for 97-03 F150s 2wd-4wd, 12mm-14mm will interchange...

Perfect example, I put my stock and aftermarket wheels on my girls cousins 98 which had the 12mm studs, I had the 14mm studs, no problems...

sna77

Perfect--just what I needed! Thanks!

sna77

Called around to a few wheel places today. I was told that you should NOT use the newer wheels with 16mm holes on the older trucks with 12mm bolts.

They said that all the wheels were designed for 14mm bolts, however the 99-99 wheels only had 14mm holes bored for the 12mm bolts. The newer wheels they made the holes bigger. Presumably, you could take the older style wheels and make the holes bigger, but they do not recommend using the newer wheels with 16mm holes on the older style wheels.

sna77

So it looks like the places I called around to yesterday gave me (hopefully) bad information. I found an eBay seller selling reconditioned OEM Expedition wheels for $99 each. He guaranteed that they would fit on my 97 F150, so I ordered them.

This was the auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380239131910...84.m1423.l2649

I think its a nice looking, clean OEM wheel.

I plan to order these tires for it in 265/75/16, Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2. At $168 /tire they are significantly cheaper than the Michelins I really I wanted. I plan to spin the tires so the white lettering is facing inward leaving the blackwall showing over the wheel.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....wd&autoModClar



This is what I ordered. What's everyone think of the combo? I wanted the biggest wheel without rubbing and modification to the car. Thx




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