Wheel Simulators

[Skillet]

A few weeks ago while passing through Maryland, I hit a rough patch of highway and lost my driver-front simulator. I'm torn between spending the money on another and painting the wheels black. Anyone have pics of theirs painted?

Chinookers: I see you replaced yours with model FE-88. On the website you got yours through it says it's 16". When I measure my existing ones, they come out to 17.5". Would you know if they are measured from a different point? I did it across the diameter.

[b6fischer]

here is a link to my write-up of replacing tires and removing the wheel simulators (I too lost one)
http://chinookconcourse.tumblr.com/post ... ed-finally

[Blue~Go]

Here is what I have in my notes for the original simulators (on my '99 at least).

Versa-liner part v160f7 manufactured by Dicor in Elkhart Indiana. 219 264 2699

There are a couple of different ways the "fake" lug nuts were done (the ones that hold the simulator on), so that's something to check so you get the right ones.

****

I didn't have major intentions to remove the simulators (still have all four), but when I bought the new front rims they came painted in a silver that's sort of like Ford's "Argent" silver. And they looked pretty nice. So I put them on and decided to run them for awhile without the simulators and see how I liked it.

Turns out I'm fine with the look and it's one less thing to worry about. It is a little less "dressy," but with the silver paint doesn't look all that un-stock either (black would be more of a departure and isn't to my taste, so if I paint the rears it will be in a matching silver to the fronts).

[Scott]

I thought the simulators looked odd, and they were one more thing to deal with any time the wheels needed to come off. Plus the extension hoses and....

I painted my wheels black since it suits my white rig, and I'm pleased so far. There's a distance photo in my Wheelin' thread.

For your dark Concourse, black wheels might bring too much darkness. Shiny aluminum Alcoas might be out of the budget, but I think they would look really slick on your rig.

[chin_k]

One of my fake lug nuts came off, and it kind of catch my eyes every time when I walked by. Anyone knows if it is repairable, or I need to get the whole simulator?

[Blue~Go]

I thought the simulators looked odd, and they were one more thing to deal with any time the wheels needed to come off. Plus the extension hoses and....

I'm no fan of the simulators (and I always removed/replaced them myself if any work was to be done), but on mine the simulators fit tight to the wheels and the holes matched up just about perfectly so.... no difference in the need for extended stems vs. just the plain steel Ford wheels (the "eight hand hole" holes in the stock Ford [Accuride] wheels are small). Do you have different wheels on yours? I looked at a Chevy truck based dually RV once and the holes in the wheels were big enough to just reach in - nice.

Last I looked you could buy just the "fake" nuts for the Versa Liners, if that's all you need.

[kdarling]

Wheel diameter doesn't include the tire holding lip around the edge.

If your tire says it's for a 16" wheel (e.g. 225/75R16) then your simulator also is 16".

Kev

[chin_k]

I took a quick search, and only can find the the jam nuts. (jam nut is the one with the dimples). Anyone have better luck with the other 6 "regular" covers? Is the correct part number for that be "V160F0-LNC Lug Nut Cover"

[Blue~Go]

Aren't the other "nuts" a permanent part of the simulator? That is, only the two with the dimple lines even come off? As I remember it, that's one reason I always removed mine if anyone at a shop needed to work with my wheels: The fear of them trying to "remove" the other six "nuts" (which don't remove unless you break them off).

[chin_k]

Right, the one missing is one of the ones that does not supposed to be removed. Sounds like I need a whole new simulator?