15X8 Bronco wheels question

[Rembrant]

Gentlemen,

I happened to see this truck below on FB the other day...if the owner happens to be on here, my apologies for grabbing the picture! Anyway, he mentioned that the wheels were 15x8 from a 1988 Bronco. Can anybody tell me any more about these, like what years they were available and on what vehicles? Are the trim rings and center caps still available in the aftermarket? Anybody know what the offset or backspacing is?



How would one ID these wheels if/when buying them online, like on Ebay?

[Rembrant]

These wheels in the listing below are only noted as being from an IFS Bronco...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-BRONCO-FACTORY-STEEL-WHEELS-FOR-IFS-4X4/333259600374?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Are they 15x8?

[Gary Lewis]

The 1988 Bronco Type 5's were indeed 15 x 8", as were those for 1987.  But the same looking wheel was 15 x 7 up through 1986.

The page at Driveline/Wheels shows how to ID wheels via the code stamped near the valve stem on the back side.  The 1987 & '88 wagonwheel/spoked argent wheels are E7TZ 1015-A.

[LARIAT 85]

The 15x8 "Deluxe Argent Styled Steel Wheels" were available from 1987 - 1991.  Part number is E7TZ1015A.  They were originally found on the Bronco with the optional 31" tires.  Backspacing is 4".  These were the only stock wheels from 1980 - 1996 that were 8" wide.  Other than the extra 1" of width, they look exactly like the more common 15x7 version found on the 1982 - 1991 F-Series and Bronco.  The 15x8 wheel uses the same center caps and trim rings as the 15x7 wheel.

I have the 15x8 wheels along with the center caps and trim rings on Lucille.  You can tell by the extra 1" step between the trim ring and the face of the wheel.  With the 15x7 version, the trim ring will be flush to the face of the wheel.

[1986F150Six]

Nice and meaty!

[LARIAT 85]

I purchased all 5 of mine about 7 years ago (including spare) from this Ebay seller.  It looks like he has one left:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/01571-Factory-OEM-Reconditioned-Steel-wheel-15-X-8-Silver-Full-Face-Painted/383094710766?fits=Model%3ABronco%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item59323961ee:g:k4MAAOSwCzFdWxzz

[Dorsai]

Gary Lewis wrote

The page at Driveline/Wheels shows how to ID wheels via the code stamped near the valve stem on the back side.  The 1987 & '88 wagonwheel/spoked argent wheels are E7TZ 1015-A.

Interesting.  If I understand the documentation correctly I am supposed to have 15x6.0 (Type 1) wheels, but the cert label on the door jamb indicates 15x5.5.  Does the 5.5" refer to the tire specifically, and not the wheel?

ETA: Or does the 5.5 refer to the bolt circle, and not the width?

[Rembrant]

Rembrant wrote

These wheels in the listing below are only noted as being from an IFS Bronco...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-BRONCO-FACTORY-STEEL-WHEELS-FOR-IFS-4X4/333259600374?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Are they 15x8?

Thanks for the info guys. So there's no way to know what the above wheels are without seeing the part number stamped on the inside, correct?

By the way, does the above Ebay auction show a shipping price to you guys in the US?

[kramttocs]

Shipping: FREE Standard Shipping | See details
 
Item location:
United States, United States
 
Ships to:
United States See exclusions

[Steve83]

Rembrant wrote

These wheels in the listing below are only noted as being from an IFS Bronco...

All Broncos can use the same wheels from any other Bronco: 15" x 6.5-10" with 5-on-5.5" 1/2" cone-seat lugs and ~3 1/8" pilot hole.  Same as '75 (I think) -96 F150s.  They can also use most E150 wheels, but '04-13 are 16".

Rembrant wrote

...the part number stamped on the inside, correct?

Usually the basic size and a 1-letter style code (16x7J) is stamped inside in plain text.  Often on the back of a spoke, but sometimes around the inner bead.

[Rembrant]

Steve83 wrote

All Broncos can use the same wheels from any other Bronco: 15" x 6.5-10" with 5-on-5.5" 1/2" cone-seat lugs and ~3 1/8" pilot hole.  Same as '75 (I think) -96 F150s.

Yes I'm sure all of the different width wheels fit just fine. I was just pointing out that the description was a little vague since there are different wheels that basically look the same. If you were looking for something specific, you need more details.

[Rembrant]

So, how difficult would it be to match the original color of the wheels if one had to repaint a set?

[Rembrant]

There is a set advertised below as being 15x8", but I can't tell from the pics if they actually are or not...

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/norfolk-county/5x5-5-15x8-ford-wheels/1455445112

[Ray Cecil]

It may be worth noting...I too have these wheels. I took them off an 87 bronco. There is a bolt on my disc brake calipers that just barely touch the id of the rim. I had to file down the bolt head to het them to fit.

[salans7]

Rembrant wrote

There is a set advertised below as being 15x8", but I can't tell from the pics if they actually are or not...

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/norfolk-county/5x5-5-15x8-ford-wheels/1455445112

Those are definitely 15x7, since the trim rings butt up against the face of the wheel.

[LARIAT 85]

It shouldn't be too difficult; it is only an Argent (silver sparkle) paint.

I personally wouldn't buy a used set from a junkyard or Craiglist.  I purchased mine (reconditioned) from the seller I listed above and they looked brand new.  I just checked my previous link above, and they now have 5 available for sale.  $64 plus free shipping is a pretty good deal, and those wheels are getting harder to find.  I bet if you email the seller, he would sell you them for $50 a piece if you purchase all five.

[Rembrant]

LARIAT 85 wrote

It shouldn't be too difficult; it is only an Argent (silver sparkle) paint.

I personally wouldn't buy a used set from a junkyard or Craiglist.  I purchased mine (remanufactured) from the seller I listed above and they looked brand new.  I just checked my previous link above, and he now has 5 available for sale.

Understood, and thanks for the heads up.

I know the center caps are available aftermarket, but what about the trim rings? Are they hard to find?

[LARIAT 85]

Sorry, I slightly modified my post before I realized you made a response.

The trim rings with the painted red stripes (1982 - 1989) are getting harder to find.  And no one reproduces them.  The ones without red stripes (1990/1991) are available from the aftermarket, and you can always add red (or blue) pin stripes to them, if you wish.

The stock Ford ones are bushed aluminum, but I think the aftermarket versions have a chrome finish.

I think the trim rings with the wagon wheels look great and unique on these older trucks.  I get lots of compliments on mine.

[Rembrant]

LARIAT 85 wrote

The ones without red stripes (1990/1991) are available from the aftermarket...

From LMC? Or, somewhere similar?

[66gtk]

Dorsai wrote

Gary Lewis wrote

The page at Driveline/Wheels shows how to ID wheels via the code stamped near the valve stem on the back side.  The 1987 & '88 wagonwheel/spoked argent wheels are E7TZ 1015-A.

Interesting.  If I understand the documentation correctly I am supposed to have 15x6.0 (Type 1) wheels, but the cert label on the door jamb indicates 15x5.5.  Does the 5.5" refer to the tire specifically, and not the wheel?

ETA: Or does the 5.5 refer to the bolt circle, and not the width?

The 15x6 wheels were likely the white ones (no trim ring).  I've compared my 15x6 wheels with the 15x7 and the difference is made up with backspacing so when installed they come out equally to the body work.