XL 16" Steel Wheel Center Caps

[Gone Blue]

OK stupid question............ I bought a set of XL steel 16" wheels, center caps, and factory lug nuts for winter wheels on my XLT. Is there any trick to not loosing the center caps? The centering flanges on the hubs prevented me pre-installing the center caps before I threw the wheels on the truck unless you are supposed to index them? I snapped on the center caps after I mounted the wheels and the caps didn't seem to retain very well? My first road trip I lost a center cap and they are $40 each new. I only paid $100 for (4) wheels, (4) center caps, and (24) factory lug nuts. What am I missing? Thx G.B.

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[Gone Blue]

Anybody?????

 

[9zero1790]

im surprised no one answered this. i wish i knew. my assumption is the caps are a sort of push and turn to lock in place style. look around the rim of the cap for a notch or protrusion.

 

[maxbottomtime]

OK stupid question............ I bought a set of XL steel 16" wheels, center caps, and factory lug nuts for winter wheels on my XLT. Is there any trick to not loosing the center caps? The centering flanges on the hubs prevented me pre-installing the center caps before I threw the wheels on the truck unless you are supposed to index them? I snapped on the center caps after I mounted the wheels and the caps didn't seem to retain very well? My first road trip I lost a center cap and they are $40 each new. I only paid $100 for (4) wheels, (4) center caps, and (24) factory lug nuts. What am I missing? Thx G.B.

what size tire are you running for winters on the 16s?

Thanks!

 

[Danager]

Not the OP, but I picked up a set of 16” Bronco steelies for winters. I’m running 265/75 R16.

 

[maxbottomtime]

Not the OP, but I picked up a set of 16” Bronco steelies for winters. I’m running 265/75 R16.

Are you on stock suspension? Do the broncos have an offset that is different from the ranger? Any modifications to the crash bars?

 

[Danager]

Are you on stock suspension? Do the broncos have an offset that is different from the ranger? Any modifications to the crash bars?

I’m on stock Tremor suspension. No spacers, no level, no crash bar mod/removal. I’ve read several stories of Ranger owners buying Bronco take-offs. From what I’ve read, you are okay. I have not seen feedback on the Sasquatch rims. I do know the 35” will not fit without some work.

 

[maxbottomtime]

I’m on stock Tremor suspension. No spacers, no level, no crash bar mod/removal. I’ve read several stories of Ranger owners buying Bronco take-offs. From what I’ve read, you are okay. I have not seen feedback on the Sasquatch rims. I do know the 35” will not fit without some work.

Thanks! I’ve got ranger takeoff rims but unsure if the broncos you got to fit differ.

the tremor is same clearance/ride height as non tremor 4x4, right? No built in level or lift.

 

[Danager]

Thanks! I’ve got ranger takeoff rims but unsure if the broncos you got to fit differ.

the tremor is same clearance/ride height as non tremor 4x4, right? No built in level or lift.

I believe for the most part the Tremor is the same as non-tremor. The Tremor’s additional 1” of ground clearance comes from the tire height as I understand it. Thought I could be wrong. Wheel and tire figment is identical across all the North American Rangers though.

 

[subquark]

Old post with no answer?

I didn't see an answer to the OP's post and stumbled across this thread doing a search. On my XL with 16" steel wheels, the plastic center hub caps are held on with the lug nuts. Loosen each a little and it'll wiggle off.

Small tabs just lightly get pinched by the lug nut's flange. I suppose aftermarket nuts could affect this fit.

I understand it's common to get some tab breakage by some tire shops. I've popped my wheels off a couple of times and the dealer has rotated them twice without any damage. I even put them back on with my Ingersoll Rand 2115QTiMAX impact wrench set to max (250 pounds torque pushed by 3/8" hose - oops) and didn't have any breakage. Backed off to 100 pounds torque, as recommended.

Steelies for the win! =D

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