I have been told by someone that they have put 15" rims on there 97 4x4 ORP. I didn't think a 15" rim would fit on the 97 and up.
He even sent a picture. I thought the 16" rims were close to hitting the front caliper.
Can anyone tell me do they fit???

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97 150 4x4XLT flareside reg cab 4" warn BLACK DIAMOND suspension lift.

 

Hey Kman, I can attest to that. I ran 15x10's for 10,000 miles. They worked, its just that the backspacing is so great that they stick out really far and rub a lot easier than larger rims.

 

You may have been shown the Warn 97 show truck. They converted the brakes and axles to the pre-97 bolt patern. This is how the got the 15" wheels on there.

 

This person had Eagle Alloys 1189 with the
5 by 135mm bolt spacing. He said he got them from desert rat and they said they fit.
I just question how much room there is between the rotors and the wheel.


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97 150 4x4XLT flareside reg cab 4" warn BLACK DIAMOND suspension lift.

 

sdiesel316, What brand and model of 15inch wheels were you using. Also, I would like to know how wide they were. I,ve got a set of good 15inch mud grips but can,t use them because I can,t find any wheels.

 

I was told that the 15" will fit with some grinding on the calipers. It's in the posts but I haven't had time to find it- sorry

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'97 F-150 Lariat Ext. Cab 4X4

• White/Silver
• 4.6L, Auto.
• Tinted Windows/Bedmat/Toolbox/Lund Bug Deflector
• 265/75/16 BFGoodrich on polished 16x8 AR-136's
• Cat-back Dual Exhaust
• Polar Bear Grille Guard

 

kman,
I agree with sdiesel316. 15" will fit, but there's such a little bit of backspacing (3.5") that they'll stick way out. I think another thing about 15" wheels is their load & tire diameter ratings. If the wheel is only rated for 1400-1500lbs & 31" diameter, thats rather limiting. I measured the inside diameter of a stock wheel, its around 14.5" where its over the largest part of the caliper, & there's at the most .125" of clearance between the rim & the caliper.

Also, the inside diameter of an aluminum wheel is tapered with the smaller diameter towards the outside part of the wheel. To make a 15" wheel fit it has to have minimal backspacing to place the largest part of the inside diameter of the rim over the calipers to clear.

I'm not sure how strong a 15" wheel could be & still clear the calipers. You'd have to check the mfr's ratings.

[This message has been edited by d reyes (edited 08-23-2000).]

 

Thanks alot guys you have been very helpful.
I think I will stick with my plan to get 16.5" rims and tires.Going to go to 35x12.50
should make the truck look awesome.