im considering swapping wheels from my 08 with the owner of an 05 ranger, leaving my factory tires on the 08 wheels and putting new rubber on the 05's for my truck. how will this effect the tire pressure monitoring system, since the 05 wouldnt be equipped with it? will i lose my tpms if i go this way?

Isn't the TPMS unit attached to the valve stem? I think you might be able to attach the TPMS valve stem to the new wheel. You might have to calibrate it for a different tire pressure though if you plan on putting some bigger tires on.

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Take the rims to a reputable tire store. They can swap the tpms sensors from the old rims to the new ones. They will usually charge $4-6 each for a rebuild kit (new gromet, gasket and core). The system monitors for a minimum tire pressure and won't need to be reprogrammed. If you off road and pressure down you will just have to live with the idiot light until you inflate the tires back to normal.

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'00 XLT 3.0 Exted cab
Mods: Roush hood & cai, ASP pwr pulley, hot wtr bypass, 180 therm, e-fan, Gibson exh., 4.10 l/s, FabTech lift, kyb's, bii sway bar. 31x10.50 Yokahama ATs, Panther rims, light bar, SS grille, 03 stang buckets, explorer console, hurst shifter


http://www.cardomain.com/ride/706028/1

so if i decide to keep my 08 wheels, does the tpms just transfer to the new tires when my new rubber goes on? sorry, i read up on it but had a hard time grasping the technology

The sensors are attached to the rim with basiclly a big hose clamp.

This is the sensor



Then like snowball said just a huge hose clamp holds it on

If you don't want to ever have to mess with TPMS again. A lot of Mustang people I know just put the 4 sensors in a PVC pipe. Then seal it & pressurize it to 40lbs & keep it under you seat or strapped to the frame rail.

Then you can change tires, rims at will & never have to mess with the sensors again

Thats is not a bad idea