ok im really confused about backspacing... what is it and what does it mean for me seriously though im looking at getting some 15x8 rock crawlers and i want to know what backspacing i should get and why and how it will compare with my stock rims

 

I really need to put this in a file and just cut-and-paste it because it seems to come up a lot.

Backspacing as a measurement is the distance from the inside edge of your wheel to the mounting plate that touches the brake rotor or axle. On stock Rangers it's about 4.5 to 4.75".

Backspacing determines how far out your wheel sticks from the truck. MORE backspacing tucks your wheels in tighter to the frame. LESS backspacing pushes your wheels more towards the outside of the truck.

Optimum backspacing is hard to define, because what people want varies. In general, you want your suspension to turn without rubbing, you want it to look good, and you want it to not strain your suspension. Here's what's usually talked about:

1. MORE backspacing: seldom required unless you had aftermarket wheels and want to go back down to stock. This will tuck the wheels in, and when using larger tires can cause rub against the inside edge of the tire against suspension pieces or the wheel tub. Track width narrows, which most find unattractive, and it makes rollover easier. To a certain extent, more backspacing reduces strain on the ball joints, bearings and what not.

2. LESS backspacing pushes the wheels out further, increasing track width and cornering stability. With larger tires, you have less chance of rubbing on the wheel tub or suspension, but sometimes more chance of rubbing on the flares or fender lip. Because you have effectively extended the "lever" of the suspension, the force of bumps and what not are increased. Small backspacing and very wide wheels and tires can cause premature wear of the suspension. Most people find the increased track width attractive.

 

thats exactly what i was looking for thanks John... this should be made a stickey or something

 

I got 15x10's with a 3.75 BS. So far I have had no problems with Rubbing or Any Bearing issues, And I have had them on about a year now. I talked with a coworker
many many times to come up with the best wheel b.s

 

You probably wouldn't have bearing issues in a year, if ever. It IS more stress, so the bearings are going to wear more quickly, and that's just a fact. But depending on how/where you drive and how good the bearings are, you may or may not have a problem.

15x10's are pretty wide for 32x11.5x15 tires, though. I wouldn't air down much offroad with that combination.

Also, 32's are pretty easy, so 15x10's would not rub generally. as you get bigger, the wider and bigger tires on a 15x10 would tend to rub on the fender/flare edges and valance in turns, if anywhere. With that little backspacing internal rubs would be pretty much non-existent.

I'm guessing you don't offroad much?

 

I used to all the time. But Since I got my house, I've been working on it, and haven't had much time. I've been twice since getting my wheels put on. I need to find the pics and scan them some time. The Only reason I went with the 15x10's was so that I could get 33's. I don't like how 33's look on a 15x8. I won't have 33's for a while, and plan on doing a few things before then.

 

33's look great on 15x10. And there's not a thing wrong with 15x10's really, it's just that I'm going to be airing down more aggressively and so I'm into narrow wheels since I don't have bead locks.

 

not sure if this would help any but ill post anyway

 

One picture is worth a thousand words!