Update studs to 2015+ or other options for wheel spacers?

[eddytheexpy]

So let me start off by congratulating myself for picking up 2 pairs of absolutely brand new spidertrax 1.75" wheel spacers for $80!

Now that we got past all that fanfare, let's get to the problem. The spacers are for 2015+ expy/F-150 and I've got a 2011 expy. From my research, the hub bore and bolt pattern is exactly the same. The only thing that differs is the wheel stud (00-14: M14x2, 15+: M14x1.5). Spidertrax doesn't make a spacer kit for the 00-14 models otherwise, I would have just asked them if I could purchase a set of those lugs a la carte.

So I believe I have 3 Options:
1) Buy short open end M14x2 lugs to attach the spacer and buy new M14x1.5 lugs to attach the wheel
2) Buy new M14x1.5 studs for the wheel hub so I can use the lugs that came with the spacers and buy new M14x1.5 lugs to attach the wheel
3) Beat the studs out of the spacer and swap them with the studs from the wheel hub

My assessments:

Option 1)
Pros: cheap-ish and easiest option
Cons: Though a very similar configuration, it is still different than design. Also, I've searched high and low and cannot find M14x2 lugs that look like the ones that came with the kit. It looks like a cut from a hex bar with a threaded bore and one end was milled down to a 60 degree cone. It doesn't have a shoulder like regular acorn lugs. I'm trying to match it as closely as possible though I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes.

Option 2)
Pros: From the wheel spacer's perspective, this is a 100% nominal install
Cons: I don't know if updating the wheel studs will do anything weird or if they'll even fit in the hub. They are both 14mm so I expect that they'll at least fit. This is also more expensive and will take more effort.

Option 3)
Pros: Cheapest option as I won't need to buy anything
Cons: I don't know if beating the studs out of the spacer will damage anything. Also, this option requires the most effort and is the most off-nominal spacer configuration and is off-nominal for the wheel hubs as well.


Anyone care to weight in?

 

[eddytheexpy]

Posting for others that may find themselves in the same situation that I did.

I went with option 1 for the install. ~400 miles of mixed driving later (yes I rechecked torque after 50 miles) and my expy hasn't lost any of his shoes! If my weekend plans work out the way I want them to, I'll be taking it out on some rough-ish poorly maintained dirt roads. I'll be going out of my way to drive on it like an a-hole as a low risk stress test. If I don't report back that means I either drove like too much of an a-hole and found myself in the hospital or everything worked out A-OK.

 

[ExplorerTom]

You should be fine with that configuration.

 

[eddytheexpy]

You should be fine with that configuration.

Considering the almost identical application of the M14X1.5's and the fact that the spacers are made to receive the same diameter vehicle studs, I figured that configuration was the best balance between effort/cost while also prioritizing sanity. Would have been cool to get that feedback before just going for it but it's nice to have reassurance from another person even after the fact hahaha

 

[ExplorerTom]

Yeah sorry. I don’t check this forum that often. Goes in spurts.