Backspacing for 31" - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*sk1er17* · 03-03-2003, 10:31 AM

Most of the questions about backspacing on this site concern 15" rims..... so heres my question- quick and simple...

98 X sport, I want 15X8 Black Rock Crawler Rims.
I am getting P265/75R16 tires.....

What exactly do i want my backspacing to be? I dont want to do any damage to my tranny, i have 110K miles.

**one site said 5" backspacing with wider tires would put them in stock position, another one said go with a small backspacing.... lol i just need a solid answer for this peticular situation.

thanks

*sk1er17* · 03-03-2003, 10:33 AM

BTW: it seems that the 15X8 Rims only come with 4.00 backspacing... will this be ok for the size tires im running?

Oh, and any suggestions about the rims and tires are welcome, i havent bought them yet- i just found rockcrawlers arent that expensive so im researching it for this summer.

*sk1er17* · 03-03-2003, 10:43 AM

Jeez guys.. sorry- HUGE TYPO in what im asking.....

16 X 8 RIMS is what i want...

lol, sorry bout that.

Oh, and now that i have my rim size correct again... the backspacing for 16X8 are 4.25"

I found this at 4 wheelparts.com for Black Rockcralwers..is this a good price? (i never expected rims to be that cheap... are they actually good?)

"16x8 5 or 6 lug w/4.25" backspacing $59.95each "

**Alec** · 03-03-2003, 03:12 PM

You can special order the rockcrawlers with any BS. 3.75" is best.

*sk1er17* · 03-03-2003, 03:15 PM

Alec,
What is the backspacing? i know it has to do with distance from the tire well.... if i get 3.75", will my tires be farther inside the well as they are now? (or farther out) Same with the 4.25" backspacing... will those stick out farther?

Or, rather, will the 3.75" backspacing place the center of the tire where the stock position is and since it's a wider tire it'll look like it sticks out further?

Sorry for trying to be so precise... but tires/rims are an expensive investment for me right now.... college is kicking my ---!

**Alec** · 03-03-2003, 03:18 PM

Your stock BS is probably 4.5". 4.25 will stick the center of the wheel out 1/4" farther than stock (but maybe the outside 1.25" farther since it's x8?), and 3.75 will stick it out .5" farther.

Wider is better in terms of looks, handling, traction, and rubbing.

It's my understanding that BS is the measure of the distance the mounting surface is from the inside edge of the rim.

*sk1er17* · 03-03-2003, 03:24 PM

I agree, sticking it out farther would look better.. for that reason i like the idea of 3.75" backspacing...

Will that cause an significant amount of stress on my axels though? I remember looking into wheelspacers a while back and was turned away quickly because of the damage they can cause....

Quick assumption: the 3.75 inch backspacing will decrease rubbing on my sway bar... wont it? will i need and fender trimming? lol- or if i do its probably minor and ill worry bout it when the time comes...

**Alec** · 03-03-2003, 03:37 PM

Wheel spacers and wheels with more BS are different, though too far and you can stress the truck. 3.75 is fine though.

Yes, less chance of suspension rub, but you may rub the fender. However, with 31x10.50s and a 2" lift there isn't much worry.

*sk1er17* · 03-03-2003, 03:41 PM

Thanks for your help again alec!

03-03-2003, 10:31 AM	#1
sk1er17 I drive a cheby? Jackson,NJ '98 Sport Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,651 Vehicle Specs	Backspacing for 31" Most of the questions about backspacing on this site concern 15" rims..... so heres my question- quick and simple... 98 X sport, I want 15X8 Black Rock Crawler Rims. I am getting P265/75R16 tires..... What exactly do i want my backspacing to be? I dont want to do any damage to my tranny, i have 110K miles. one site said 5" backspacing with wider tires would put them in stock position, another one said go with a small backspacing.... lol i just need a solid answer for this peticular situation. thanks __________________ My Elite Registry.. Check it out** Cardomain Site Explorers Gone.. check out my 05 Silveardo lifted 8" and on 37x14x18 Toyos HERE

03-03-2003, 10:33 AM	#2
sk1er17 I drive a cheby? Jackson,NJ '98 Sport Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,651 Vehicle Specs	BTW: it seems that the 15X8 Rims only come with 4.00 backspacing... will this be ok for the size tires im running? Oh, and any suggestions about the rims and tires are welcome, i havent bought them yet- i just found rockcrawlers arent that expensive so im researching it for this summer. __________________ My Elite Registry.. Check it out Cardomain Site Explorers Gone.. check out my 05 Silveardo lifted 8" and on 37x14x18 Toyos HERE

03-03-2003, 10:43 AM	#3
sk1er17 I drive a cheby? Jackson,NJ '98 Sport Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,651 Vehicle Specs	Jeez guys.. sorry- HUGE TYPO in what im asking..... 16 X 8 RIMS is what i want... lol, sorry bout that. Oh, and now that i have my rim size correct again... the backspacing for 16X8 are 4.25" I found this at 4 wheelparts.com for Black Rockcralwers..is this a good price? (i never expected rims to be that cheap... are they actually good?) "16x8 5 or 6 lug w/4.25" backspacing $59.95each " __________________ My Elite Registry.. Check it out Cardomain Site Explorers Gone.. check out my 05 Silveardo lifted 8" and on 37x14x18 Toyos HERE

03-03-2003, 03:12 PM	#4
Alec Mod Emeritus Houston, Texas 2008 JK Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 16,056 Vehicle Specs	You can special order the rockcrawlers with any BS. 3.75" is best. __________________ Alec "Dr. Candlepower" Rosenbaum Daily: 2008 JK Gone: EE "Splat", 2003 VW GTI VR6, 85 Bronco project

03-03-2003, 03:15 PM	#5
sk1er17 I drive a cheby? Jackson,NJ '98 Sport Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,651 Vehicle Specs	Alec, What is the backspacing? i know it has to do with distance from the tire well.... if i get 3.75", will my tires be farther inside the well as they are now? (or farther out) Same with the 4.25" backspacing... will those stick out farther? Or, rather, will the 3.75" backspacing place the center of the tire where the stock position is and since it's a wider tire it'll look like it sticks out further? Sorry for trying to be so precise... but tires/rims are an expensive investment for me right now.... college is kicking my ---! __________________ My Elite Registry.. Check it out Cardomain Site Explorers Gone.. check out my 05 Silveardo lifted 8" and on 37x14x18 Toyos HERE

03-03-2003, 03:18 PM	#6
Alec Mod Emeritus Houston, Texas 2008 JK Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 16,056 Vehicle Specs	Your stock BS is probably 4.5". 4.25 will stick the center of the wheel out 1/4" farther than stock (but maybe the outside 1.25" farther since it's x8?), and 3.75 will stick it out .5" farther. Wider is better in terms of looks, handling, traction, and rubbing. It's my understanding that BS is the measure of the distance the mounting surface is from the inside edge of the rim. __________________ Alec "Dr. Candlepower" Rosenbaum Daily: 2008 JK Gone: EE "Splat", 2003 VW GTI VR6, 85 Bronco project

03-03-2003, 03:24 PM	#7
sk1er17 I drive a cheby? Jackson,NJ '98 Sport Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,651 Vehicle Specs	I agree, sticking it out farther would look better.. for that reason i like the idea of 3.75" backspacing... Will that cause an significant amount of stress on my axels though? I remember looking into wheelspacers a while back and was turned away quickly because of the damage they can cause.... Quick assumption: the 3.75 inch backspacing will decrease rubbing on my sway bar... wont it? will i need and fender trimming? lol- or if i do its probably minor and ill worry bout it when the time comes... __________________ My Elite Registry.. Check it out Cardomain Site Explorers Gone.. check out my 05 Silveardo lifted 8" and on 37x14x18 Toyos HERE

03-03-2003, 03:37 PM	#8
Alec Mod Emeritus Houston, Texas 2008 JK Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 16,056 Vehicle Specs	Wheel spacers and wheels with more BS are different, though too far and you can stress the truck. 3.75 is fine though. Yes, less chance of suspension rub, but you may rub the fender. However, with 31x10.50s and a 2" lift there isn't much worry. __________________ Alec "Dr. Candlepower" Rosenbaum Daily: 2008 JK Gone: EE "Splat", 2003 VW GTI VR6, 85 Bronco project

03-03-2003, 03:41 PM	#9
sk1er17 I drive a cheby? Jackson,NJ '98 Sport Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,651 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for your help again alec! __________________ My Elite Registry.. Check it out Cardomain Site Explorers Gone.. check out my 05 Silveardo lifted 8" and on 37x14x18 Toyos HERE