Best backspacing for 16" rims? (Getting custom ones) (1 Viewer)

[GeologistFelix]

So, I've decided to bite the bullet and get some 16x7 steelies with custom backspacing from Summit Racing. For $70 a piece with free shipping, it seems like a reasonable buy-in price to be able to run 16" tires.

So, here's what I know:
- Stock backspacing is 3.5"
- I'm probably going to get 265/75 tires first, and I may go up to 255/85r16 later
- I'm going to be running either AALs or (money permitting) an OME lift

The question is, since I can get any backspacing I want, what should I go for?

3.5" is the 'easy' answer, but I'm wondering how wide I can go with my stance before I have trouble stuffing my tires up into the fenders? (I'd rather not go the sawzall route with this rig). How has 3.25" or 3" worked for people with tires about that size?

 

[TurboPachyderm]

This thread will be your friend:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/86386-wheels-work-part-numbers.html

I just put on some Eagle Alloy series 100's with 3.625" BS and they are working great.

 

[GeologistFelix]

Wow, those are nice rims, but I definitely don't want to spend that kind of money.

Anyway, I'm pretty much set on US Wheel 70-7760-SPEC rims. The question is just what backspacing to order them in.

 

[lovetoski]

I have 3.5" BS rims (unknown brand) with 1" spacers. Functionally equivalent to 2.5" BS. My 33X10.50's rubbed on the front fender only, lower front area. I say "rubbed" past-tense because I cut the inner fender to solve the problem. I think it's because as the suspension compresses the shackle moves forward, so the axle/tire move forward. My point being...on my truck, I don't think the spacer makes a difference in rubbing.

 

[TurboPachyderm]

Stick with as close to stock if you're worried about interference issues. I found other rims I liked a bit better but nothing with a good BS so I went with the 3.625" BS on the 100 series rims.

 

[GeologistFelix]

Hm, stock backspacing would give me 2.5" more track width with 16x7 wheels and 265/75r16 tires, compared with stock my stock 15x6 wheels and 235/75r15 tires....which seems like a reasonable amount to counteract any instability caused by a lift.

 

[OyajiJon]

While there is definitely a backspacing requirement to clear steering components, the problem I've found with steel wheels is that the slope of the center, between the wheel mounting ring and rim, is not steep enough to clear the calipers on a 60. Many aluminum wheel mounting rings will be recessed enough to get the wheel center off of the caliper and, therefore, can have a "flatter" center profile. I hope that makes sense...I'll see if I can put up a couple of pictures to illustrate what I'm talking about.

 

[Bomar]

The issue you might have is the wheel openings in the center rubbing the brake calipers.

The stock cragar soft 8 16x7 4" bs doesn't rub.

 

[Heartworm]

I have 3.25 Backspacing with Stockton Wheels. They are steelies. No Problems but I am running 235/85/16s which are not wide. Unfortunately, I have heard that Stockton Wheel is out of business.