OEM Alcoa 15" wheels don't fit

[allfordguy]

If you pull up a 2006 Ford Ranger Brochure, it lists an FX 4 and an FX 4 Level 2 option. Both have listed different standard wheels for their particular packages. The FX 4 lists 16 inch wheels as standard while the FX 4 Level 2 lists 15 inchers as standard. The 15 inchers were not even listed as an option for the FX 4.
Possible this has a bearing on the fitment of 15 to 16 inch wheels to the OP and his Ranger.
Brochure does not list anything as to brake size.
But, if you google up rear brake shoes for a 2006 Ranger 4 x 4, it lists two sizes, a 9 inch and a 10 inch, which indicates there were indeed 2 different brake sizes.
Front disks and calipers look to be the same for both.
Grumpaw

It's only on the front that the wheels don't fit. The contact is with the calipers. I had a tire guy tell me to grind off some of the calipers.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Do you have tape on wheel weights?

Maybe that is your source of the rub?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Or it could be an aftermarket caliper that is slightly different.

 

[Snoranger]

Your truck should have 11” front brakes and the 15” wheels should clear fine... unless someone did the Sport Trac 12” brake swap. Then the 15s won’t clear... you’ll need 16s. Pull the front wheels, take some pics and measurements.

 

[Dirtman]

I thought all the 4x4s had the bigger brakes.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Every part catalog I've looked at says 12 inch front rotors for an 06 4WD.

I'm not gonna pull my wheels to measure exactly what I have.

 

[4x4junkie]

I recall Ford did upgrade the size of the brakes, though I thought it was around MY 2002 or so, perhaps when the Torsen-equipped FX4 debuted.

This is the first time I've heard of 15s not fitting too.

I would strongly recommend you don't grind on your calipers, as that can weaken them.

 

[allfordguy]

Problem solved! It hurts my head but the grinding was coming from the brake pad clip. It scraped off a small pile of aluminum filings and made lots of noise but was no match for my grinder. I ground off the top of the spring clip and the wheels fit perfectly. When I looked at replacement brake parts for the Ranger in 2wd and 4wd the parts were the same so the reference to 11" and 12" brakes seems like it's maybe not so real. Sorry Dirtman but I'm not buying that difference. Thanks for all the feedback. I hope this helps the next Ranger.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Well if your brakes rattle now... you know where to look. I know that mine had the anti-rattle clips in place...

Glad they fit... I love those wheels

 

[Dirtman]

My rotors are 11"... so umm yep there's absolutely two different size brakes.

 

[pjtoledo]

the pads, calipers, and mounting brackets are identical between the 11.25" and 12" front systems. the difference is the steering knuckle. the 12" knuckle has the bracket mounting holes 3/8" farther out.
there are some factory 15" wheels that fit the 12" brakes. the fitment issue is the shape of the rear of the barrel section.
a barrel that has a step close to the mount surface fits 12" rotors, a barrel that tapers all the way in hits the calipers. 15s that is, 16s are big enough.

both are 15 x 7 . the black has the shape that fits over 12" brakes.

I have no idea which shape the Alcoas' are.

 

[4x4junkie]

^^^
Good info. I would assume the back shape of the FX4 Alcoa wheels are like that black one since they were used after the brake size upgrade.

 

[Dirtman]

Hey I admit when I'm wrong. I have 11" brakes but a 2wd. There is like a fingernails thick clearance between my rim an caliper. I knew there were 12 inch brakes, but didnt know the 15" rims were different to fit them.

 

[sgtsandman]

I've run across this before on other vehicles. It does make it a bit of a pain if you ever want to swap rims for something you like better.