I am new to this forum and I hope I am in the right forum to get answers to a couple of questions.

I own a 2002 Ranger Edge, 4x2, 3.0L, with torsion bars cranked to give maximum lift.

I have had no problems with this set up. My tires wear evenly and I have noticed no unusual wear on the steering components.

My question concerns what is the "backspace" the stock Aluminum wheel .

I am, over the winter, going to replace the factory spindles with 4" lifted spindles. I want to use 33x14.5x15 tires if I can find any with a tread pattern that is not very agressive). I know I will have to get new wheels at least 10" in width.

Does anyone know what backspacing should I order on the wheels in order to prevent the wheel or tire rubbing other parts of my truck? I am looking to have the tires extend 2-3" outside the stock fender flares.

 

To continue our conversation from the other thread.....

The smaller the backspacing number is - the further a given wheel will 'stick out'.

Most guys get wheels with backspacing between 3"-4" (Stock is 4.5").

In order to stick that far out, you might want something closer to the 3.25" or 3.5" side of things - however, use that 'chart' I posted to help guide you:

7" wide wheel w/ 4.50" Backspacing (+12 offset) - meaning 2.50" outboard. (Stock)
8" wide wheel w/ 3.25" Backspacing (-32 offset) - meaning 4.75" outboard. (aka - 2.25" further "out" than stock as well as being 1.25" inward less than stock)
8" wide wheel w/ 3.75" Backspacing (-19 offset) - meaning 4.25" outboard. (aka - 1.75" further "out" than stock as well as being .75" inward less than stock)
8" wide wheel w/ 4.00" Backspacing (-12 offset) - meaning 4.00" outboard. (aka - 1.50" further "out" than stock as well as being .50" inward less than stock)
8" wide wheel w/ 4.50" Backspacing (0 offset) - meaning 3.50" outboard. (aka - 1.00" further "out" than stock as well as being the same distance inward as stock)
10" wide wheel w/ 3.25" Backspacing (-57 offset) - meaning 6.75" outboard. (aka - 4.25" further "out" than stock as well as being 1.25" inward less than stock)
10" wide wheel w/ 3.50" Backspacing (-51 offset) - meaning 6.50" outboard. (aka - 4.00" further "out" than stock as well as being 1.00" inward less than stock)
10" wide wheel w/ 3.75" Backspacing (-44 offset) - meaning 6.25" outboard. (aka - 3.75" further "out" than stock as well as being .75" inward less than stock)
10" wide wheel w/ 4.00" Backspacing (-38 offset) - meaning 6.00" outboard. (aka - 3.50" further "out" than stock as well as being .50" inward less than stock)
10" wide wheel w/ 4.50" Backspacing (-25 offset) - meaning 5.50" outboard. (aka - 3.00" further "out" than stock as well as being the same distance inward as stock)

Just in case: The easiest way to measure backspace is to lay the wheel face down onto the ground so the backside of the wheel is facing up. Take a straight edge and lay it across the flange of the wheel. Take a tape measure and measure the distance from the hub mounting to where it crosses the straight edge. This distance is the backspacing measurement of the wheel.

 

God...I hate to show my ignorance like this. And I DO appreciate your patience.

So let me see if I have this right...the smaller the backspacing number the farther the outside flange of the wheel extends from the mounting flange of the wheel? And the smaller the backspacing number, the "depth" of the back of the wheel (from mounting flange to the inside flange) will be less...?

 

Although this typically isn't a measurement anyone gauges anything by...the answer is yes (assuming the two wheels you are comparing are the same width).

Yes - that is literally the definition of backspacing.


Another example:
You have two wheels - both 8" wide.

Wheel 'A' has a backspacing of 4".
Wheel 'B' has a backspacing of 3".

Wheel 'A' will be 'sucked' in towards the brakes an additional inch when compared to wheel 'B'.


Another way of saying it:
For a given wheel width, the larger the backspacing number is - the more tucked 'in' it will be.
So the invert is also true - the smaller the backspacing number is - the more pushed 'out' it will be.

 

Thanks...my dad used to say I was on the "hard headed" side. Sometimes I gotta have things explained several times before it sinks in.

I'd like to give you some positive"feedback" in light of your understanding of, and ability to grasp, things that a person like me just can't get their head wrapped around. How do I go about offering "feedback"?

 

No problem - glad you got it figured out!

I don't believe you can do the 'positive feedback' thing - but it's cool, just glad you have it figured out.

Let us know if you have any other questions!

 

On top of what Logan has pointed out.......something I don't see mentioned. 1: I've never heard of 4" lift spindles.....only 3" for Edges and 3.5" for coil-spring 2wd's. 2: The spindles (at least on an Edge 2wd truck) widen the track width significantly...by about 2" per side. Significant enough that I don't suggest 10" wide rims for that application without fiberglass fenders up front.


A really good local friend of mine put a 3" Fabtech spindle lift on his 2003 2wd Edge. He had 10" rims. The width of the entire truck, especially after the spindles, forced him to put on fiberglass fenders. Without the extended fiberglass fenders, the front tires stuck outside of the fender flare a good THREE inches. His wheel backspace was typical of 15x10 wheels....3.625".


Just something to think about.... Stick with 8's.

 

Shane...

4" lift spindles are out there. MaxxTrac and Doetsch Manufacture them. I've found them on e-Bay. Even Amazon has a listing for them. All for 4x2. All for torsion bar suspensions.

I'm probably going to have to accept tires 12.50" wide. I haven't been able to find 14.50" wide tires unless they have a tread pattern that is of King Kong capabilities. So I will probably go with 15x8" wheels with 3.25" Backspacing. That should give me, from tires alone an additional width of 4.75 ". Plus the 4" gained by the spindles is what I think I'm looking for. So taking all these factors (wheel width, back spacing, and the information you have provided) I think I've hit on the combination of wheels and tires I've been wanting.

I appreciate your input on my "problem" very much...

Butch

 

Man...Ranger owners must keep pretty odd hours. Most replies to my questions were posted in the wee hours of the morning.

 

HAHA....what a problem you've got yourself in too! haha.

Toyo offers a 33x13.50R15 in their Mud Terrain, so that's something to consider. 14.50's are hard to find now in that small of a diameter tire.

Wheel specs sound good....what wheels are you going with? That little backspace is kind of rare on a high production 15x8. Usually they are 3.625" to 4" backspace. Same with 15x10.


Being an on-call tow truck driver is who we have to thank for that! lol.

 

I'm going to mount 33x12.50x15" tires on 15"x8" Crager 08/61 series Super Sport Chrome Wheels with 2.5" Rear Spacing.

 

Cragar S/S's?? Bold choice for a lifted truck that when new was aimed at the "youths".......but be aware, those accept "mag" type lug nuts. They are quite the pain in the neck to work with and could lead to stripped lug nuts and/or lug studs. Especially with multi-lug-pattern ones you're looking at. This coming from personal experience with multi-pattern S/S's on my 1971 Chevy C10. In fact, had such a problem with them, I quickly put new wheels with appropriate pattern on that accept the typical "acorn" style lug nut. They've been around for decades, I just have always had a bad experience with multi-pattern mag lug wheels.

There are other "classic" styled wheels out there that are far easier to use for alot less money or for just a little more money than the S/S's, you can have the wildly popular in the classic car world American Racing Torque Thrust II's...with a decent backspace.

Clicky: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/are-5155865/overview/


Rocket Racing wheels also has the same 3.75bs on 15x8 wheels that are classicly styled and around the same price as the S/S's and Torque Thrust II's... clicky: Rocket Racing Mag Wheels | Free Shipping From Selected Dealers!



On the cheaper spectrum (literally half the price), yet classic for lifted trucks, US Wheel has chrome D-windows and 8-holes... 4" backspace though. Didn't look bad when I wasn't lifted running their 15x8's. Tire was just inside the fender flare. Clicky: US Wheel Online — Custom Steel


A neat little thing I stumbled upon are these trim rings for modern steel wheels. Would be a pretty neat combination (especially on the silver Cragar in the link) of old and new wrapped into one...while being totally unique. Clicky: Cragar A-713002-A - CRAGAR Stainless Steel Trim Rings - Quadratec


Just giving you some ideas outside a mag lug wheel. You won't have the backspacing you're after of that crazy 2.5" of the reverse S/S's. My first comment in this thread was of the suggestion of 15x8's with the typical 3.5-4" backspace and steering clear of 10" 'cause they typically have the same backspace. However, if you're looking for that kind of backspace in a 15x8, you might as well go 10" rims with a standard 10" BS of 3.5-4.5". Still don't suggest it or the S/S's with the 2.5" BS after being spindle lifted. Best suggestion is to get the truck spindle lifted and head over to your local wheel and tire shop and test fit 15x8 w/ standard BS and 15x10 w/ standard BS to see what fits your tastes.

This whole post is pure boredom and potentially over-information with the hopes of helping a feller out. And if so, I apologize. haha.

 

Well, Partner...

Every since I first laid my eyes on a set of Crager S/S I promised myself I'd have a set.

And I've always promised myself that I'd build a truck that would be "me". Suspension Modifications, Engine Modifications, New Exhaust, Tires and Wheels, and New Paint. This winter that promise will be made good.

I may not keep the Cragers for two days. But, even so, after those two days, I'll always be able to say, "I had a set of Crager s/s Wheels once..."

Youth is a funny thing. No matter how old you get there always remains, in the heart a small reservoir of youth that we never get rid of, entirely. The vast majority of my youth was left in Vietnam. But I still have some left and I will until I die. And inside every one of us there lurks a "little boy". He runs around in our mind and gathers up all the things that stayed, for whatever reason, just barely out of our grasp. Right now the little boy in me is running around gathering up a set of Cragers and a few other things I alwas wanted but never seemed to be in a position to get.

So, initially, my truck will be standing tall on a set of shiny new Crager S/S wheels. And when she makes her Debut on my 65th birthday she will be, to me anyway, as sacred as my children...as unique as myself...and as as pretty as any woman I have ever known.

Geeze...I have no idea why I dragged this out for so long...

But rest assured, your input on Tires and Wheels are greatly appreciated and duly noted.

Have a good day.