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15" Wheels on 2009 FX4


09fx4guy

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Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is well with all the craziness going on in the world right now.

I've been looking into getting a new set of wheels and tires when my tires wear out or perhaps sooner. Not right now, but probably within the next year or so, since funds are a little tight for an unnecessary upgrade. I have a nearly stock 2009 FX4 that came from the factory with 16" inch rims. I am considering the American Racing AR172 Baja wheels in black, almost to duplicate the Alcoa's that were available on the earlier Level 2's. They are available in 15 and 16 inch sizes, and tire rack says that only the 16 inch will fit my 2009, however it says that the 15 inch would for a 2007 Ranger, and as far as I know there is no difference as far as brakes, etc., between the two years.

Here are the sizes

15" AR172 Baja, Aluminum, Matte Black, 15 in. x 7.0 in., 5 x 4.50 in. Bolt Circle, 3.760 in. Backspace

15" AR172 Baja, Aluminum, Matte Black, 15 in. x 8.0 in., 5 x 4.50 in. Bolt Circle, 3.750 in. Backspace

16" AR172 Baja, Aluminum, Matte Black, 16 in. x 8.0 in., 5 x 4.50 in. Bolt Circle, 4.500 in. Backspace


39013



I am thinking of going with the 15x7 rims, since I will be using a 31x10.5xR15 if I do the swap. If I had to do the 15x8, that would be fine too. I would not want to go larger than 31" tires anyway. Truck has 265/70R16 on it now, and they fill the wheelwells nicely, and don't require a regear to 4.56.

Any opinions or thoughts are welcome. Thank you.
 


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I think it's starting to get to the point that there are more tire size options for the 16" rims. Not sure why they say the 15" won't fit. Brake clearance is all that makes sense. If I was in your position, I would go with 16x8 wheels with 31" tires. But that's just me.
 

don4331

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'07 doesn't make sense; Ford went to the larger 12" front brakes in '04.

I can tell you from experience, the stock 15" wheels don't fit on RBV with the 12" brakes. Aftermarket 15" might, but it would be tight.

265/70R16 is basically 31x10.5R16 :icon_twisted:
 

sgtsandman

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15” should fit. My 2011 has them from factory even though a few sites absolutely insist it came with 16”.
 

sheep herder

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I think a lot of these aftermarket companies really have no idea what their products fit. If I was going to buy wheels, I would go with 16" because there really are more choices for tires.
 

Uncle Gump

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15” should fit. My 2011 has them from factory even though a few sites absolutely insist it came with 16”.
the wheels changed to fit the larger 12" brakes. the inner barrel section is bigger by about 1/2"
 
Last edited:

pjtoledo

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Factory Alcoas fit... they're 15's

Amazom says that the AR172 15x7 5x114.3mm fit my 06. I almost bought those wheels.


But I have a set of alcoas and went with 16 inch wheels...


those wheels will fit a 2wd. they only had 11.15" front rotors. for 4x4 the barrel shape & offset determines if it fits 12" rotors.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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15's are fast becoming the new 14...
 

Uncle Gump

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That ain't no joke...

If I didn't have to pay for other peoples trash... I would buy a set of 33 x 10.50 x 15's for my Alcoa's.
 

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the wheels changed to fit the larger 12" brakes. the inner barrel section is bigger by about 1/2"
Ao, it sounds like a test fit is in order before Committing .
 

09fx4guy

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Thank you everyone for responding, I appreciate it.

UncleGump- I was thinking that since the brakes are the same from 06-09, that they would fit.

PJtoledo- That pic of the wheels is perfect. It is hard to tell the difference without looking at them like that.

Sgtsandman- You are right, I am probably going to see about getting a rim to test fit before I purchase anything.

Bottom line- when I need to replace my tires, I will see what is available, test fit if possible, and go from there.
 

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I think it's starting to get to the point that there are more tire size options for the 16" rims. Not sure why they say the 15" won't fit. Brake clearance is all that makes sense. If I was in your position, I would go with 16x8 wheels with 31" tires. But that's just me.
Thing is, many aftermarket 16"-and-up wheels have a GM style positive offset even if they have a Ford bolt pattern. On an 8" wide wheel you don't want more than 4" backspace.
 

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