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  #1  
Old 09-11-2017, 08:13 PM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

I upgraded the wheels on my 2005 from the 7 spoke steel to the 5 slot/5 d alloy wheels from a later model Ranger. I used the same lug nuts that came off the steel wheels for the new ones. The center caps no longer will hold securely to the lug nuts. I ordered one new center cap of the same style seen in a Google image search seen on my new wheels. It did not fit either, it is the same type of center cap as the old one, just a different style, same design.

Can anyone who has the same style of wheels provide any assistance or pictures of your wheels if you have the same wheels I just upgraded to, the lug nuts on those wheels, and center caps that fit that wheel/lug nut combination, so I can try and figure out where I went wrong?

I've attached pictures of the old 7 spoke steel wheel with center cap (before new wheel installation), the new wheel without center cap, and a close up of the lug nuts on the new wheel.

Any info is very much appreciated!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 7 spoke steel with center cap.jpg (46.3 KB, 38 views)
File Type: jpg rsz_1new_wheels_no_center_cap.jpg (67.7 KB, 44 views)
File Type: jpg original lug nuts on new wheels 1.jpg (31.4 KB, 28 views)
File Type: jpg old center cap back.jpg (49.1 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg original lug nuts on new wheels 2.jpg (27.3 KB, 27 views)
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  #2  
Old 09-12-2017, 02:52 AM
JAMMANICA JAMMANICA is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

Welcome to the forum!

I have never seen that style wheel on a ranger, are you sure they aren't aftermarket? What year did they come from?

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UGH spoke too soon, 2010 2011 part # AL5Z1007A

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Looks like this is what it is looking for:




Says 6-1/2" diameter and the style you have currently should be 7-1/8"

Are they riding up on the rim and not completely in the dip at the middle of the rim?

All I got good luck
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  #3  
Old 09-12-2017, 04:19 AM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

That was my first thought when the old caps didn't fit, so I ordered the style like you pictured, thinking the attachment points would have different depths. I thought the cap was making contact with the concave depression from the center as it rose towards the outer diamater, but I'd say it's more that the cap doesn't seem to be grasping onto the lug nuts, and the cap won't get to a point where it makes contact with the wheel, so I started to suspect the incorrect lug nuts. I inherited the truck, and it's history is a mixed bag of parts, so I figured if someone had wheels like this and could compare pictures, I could start eliminating more theories why the center caps won't fit. The new cap is the same as the old except for asthetic styling, the backs are the same.
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Old 09-12-2017, 05:03 AM
speedracer speedracer is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

Those rims were for the Mazda B series trucks. They had smaller center caps
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Old 09-12-2017, 06:20 AM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

I had seen the style of wheel I bought with the same center caps on pictures, so I completed the purchase thinking that there wouldn't be any issues. I know the Mazda B and Ranger are similar platforms. I do see how the lug nuts on mine are underneath the cap, where the lug nuts on the cap for the Mazda are exposed. I have no issues purchasing new center caps and lug nuts, I'm just not sure how to start researching to make sure I get the right stuff. I looked at the center cap again this morning before work, and it doesn't touch the wheel, there is about a 2mm gap, but it just will not attach to the lugs. That's what I can't understand, it's the same lug nuts and center caps that fit fine on the 7 spoke, but doesn't fit this wheel, but doesn't come in contact with the wheel, so how can the wheel be preventing the center cap from fitting?

What year is the Mazda in the picture?
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  #6  
Old 09-12-2017, 07:14 AM
speedracer speedracer is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit


I believe its a 2000

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  #7  
Old 09-12-2017, 11:35 AM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

I see the blue Ranger with my new wheels and same center caps, but it's a later model year, so there is some difference I cannot identify between my 2005 and the 2010/11. I don't know what to think at this point and will probably have to go the route of new lug nuts and center caps to match the Mazda since I have no explanation for my dilemma, and using the Mazda solution seems to be the only one viable at this point. I was trying to control this cost by re-using the same center caps as I had seen in pictures. I do notice that the Mazda center caps secure with screws and not the lug nuts, so I'll have to research that also.
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  #8  
Old 09-12-2017, 01:41 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

So the only thing left holding back the cap at this point would be the hub, have you used anything on the nuts/hub to leave a mark (paint pen or something?) to see what parts are touching after fitting?
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  #9  
Old 09-12-2017, 03:12 PM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

No sir, I didn't. I wanted to change the wheels to something other than the steel wheel design, since I only use the truck on the weekends, and there is a section between the front of the steel wheel and what I can only describe as a channel, that holds water. So every wheel I had developed rust. This new wheel has no channel.
From my research, it seemed the best option for compatibility without issues was to get an OE wheel meant for a 2WD Ranger.
This is as far as the cap will go.
What I can't figure out is how I saw this cap on this wheel installed on Rangers, and based my purchase on that.
It's concerning because I don't know if this means something I am not considering is not how it is supposed to be.
I just checked them again. The cap may be hitting the hub in the front, I can't tell, but the caps don't fit the back either. When pressing on the cap to get the clip over the "clip ledge" on the lug nut, that's when it will hit the wheel and go no further. I just noticed this thru the hole where someone would use a screwdriver to remove the cap from the wheel. The caps were fine with these lug nuts on the 7 spoke steel.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg rsz_20170912_065521.jpg (55.9 KB, 26 views)

Last edited by TheEndlessQuest; 09-12-2017 at 03:26 PM.
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  #10  
Old 09-12-2017, 03:14 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

I have the same wheels and know what you mean about the water, i'm not sure mine have rusted yet, but can't see it being long The wheel looks pretty nice for a steely.

I'm wondering about putting some kind of cavity wax in there?

As for this cap fitting, i bet it's the hub holding it off the nuts, i'd really look at putting something on the hub and seeing how far into the cap it makes it.
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Old 09-12-2017, 04:23 PM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

The hub was suspect, but the same condition exists for the rear wheels. I had a couple theories, one that the casting of this wheel made this wheel a different depth, which offset the lug nuts just enough where the cap won't latch, or the lug nuts are different. That still doesn't explain where there is evidence of other Rangers with these wheels and these center caps, so I was going to see if anyone else had these wheels and centers, and take pictures of the lug nuts. I spent a good amount of time researching and learning about backspacing, offset, and all other wheel related specs, and chose to go OE for that perfect fit. I didn't know if the owner of the blue Ranger picture could send pics. I figured anything that would fill in the cavity of the steel would throw the wheel off balance. I can go the Mazda solution, it's just frustrating because what I have should work, and I have to spend more money on lug nuts and new centers.
I didn't do as in depth research to see if there were differences in hubs or lug studs between a 2005 and a 2010/11. The outward curve of the wheel dish also takes up space. It could be a combination of all or any of these, I only need another 3 to 4 mm of space and I think the centers would latch securely. The wheels I bought are geniune Ford dealer overstock, not replicas or remans. I even thought about altering the centers, filing down the edges to allow greater depth, which would bring the hub theory back into play, but I shouldn't have to, and I'm not skilled enough for something like that. I can SWAP parts all day long though...

Last edited by TheEndlessQuest; 09-12-2017 at 04:32 PM.
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  #12  
Old 09-12-2017, 06:15 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

Hmmm, may I ask the price on those overstocks?

Looking at the pool of water in the wheel I cleaned yesterday, it's been 80 today, still there

I figured you can measure the hub standout from the wheel and then measure the depth of the cap, see how close it is?
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  #13  
Old 09-12-2017, 06:27 PM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

$600 for the set of 4.
I felt comfortable after looking for some time. This was before the debacle with the center caps.
I could measure the hubs and the cap depth, but I wouldn't be able to explain the same issue with rear wheels and no hub to clear.
I'm trying not to regret the purchase. I could have gotten 4 brand new 7 spoke steelies for much less, but then possibly regret that purchase when I see water sitting in them.

Last edited by TheEndlessQuest; 09-12-2017 at 06:30 PM.
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  #14  
Old 09-12-2017, 07:45 PM
MaDMaXX MaDMaXX is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

Sheesh, yeah i bet you're frustrated at getting these on properly.

Alright, so i know it won't explain them not fitting on the rear, but you really should make sure you're not dealing with two issues here, just in case.
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  #15  
Old 09-13-2017, 09:26 PM
TheEndlessQuest TheEndlessQuest is offline
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Default Re: Upgraded steel wheels to alloy, center caps don't fit

OK, I'm going to go with the "Mazda" solution. I've spent too much time stressing over this and want to complete this upgrade so I can move on to other things like getting my truck repainted before the end of this year.

I want to thank everyone for their contribution and information, it definitly put me in a better position than I was.

Thank you very much!
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