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As part of the initial effort to make her drivable I addressed the wheels and tires. I really wanted Firestone white raised letter Firehawks like they had back in the day. Unfortunately, Firestone no longer makes 14" Firehawks with or without white raised letters. So I went with closest to original equipment...Goodyears. I settled on Viva 2s and they most certainly look and feel period correct.
New tires on old wheels with sun roached center caps only made slight improvement.
Found a set of aluminum 10 bullet hole style rims at a Pull A Part in Montgomery, AL. Though they first came out in the 1988 Ranger model year they were an option in calendar year 1987 so I went with them.
They needed a ton of work. I cleaned up as much crud and baked on brake dust that I could, stripped the clearcoat, sanded, etched, polished, and buffed. Not perfect but better. The back sides were still caked with ceramic hard brake dust but better.
Also found four NOS center caps on eBay. Here's the progression from steel rims, new tires to steel rims, new tires, and new center caps to new tires, new center caps, on reconditioned aluminum wheels.
I've since had each wheel professionally remanufactured.
And learned there is actually a Ford part for the nylon nuts used to secure the center cap...three smallest holes in the center.
Wheels sorted. Will swap out the tires if I ever find period correct ones with white raised letters. Firehawks preferred.