aftermarket wheels

[Explorer#2]

I have a 1998 4x4 XLT with the stock 15" wheels, i am wondering about the backspacing and all that stuff, i want to have the new wheels as close to stock as i can. i know that the lug patteren is 5x4.5" and i want 15"x7" wheels if anyone can help that would be great.

 

[unclemeat]

I believe that stock wheels are 3 1/2" backspacing or 0 offset. It is easy to measure. Remove the wheel, place a straight edge on the inside (mounting side) of the wheel and measure the distance from the staight edge to the mounting surface of the wheel.

 

[jimcom]

uh oh, lol, I was under years of impression that the stock BS is 4.5"
At least thats what I got off here. oh well, off to measure my old wheels, that'll set us straight one way or the other

 

[Explorer#2]

i just want my new wheels to be the same as the stock wheels, in all the measurments, i am getting they because i want a different look. I am not trying to fit bigger tires, bigger breaks, or any thing like that.

 

[unclemeat]

That is why I suggested that you measure the wheel to be sure.

 

[jimcom]

my stockies, 4.5 BS, 15X7. I am pretty sure thats the norm. Considering my Xtreme Alloys are 3.25, 15X8.
It is your perogotive of course to buy aftermarket wheels that are identical to stockers, but I guess I don't see the reason in going aftermarket if they will basically just be stock. I mean, you have all those other mods on your truck, but don't want the flexabilty to change in the future that a 15X8 rim with less BS would offer? I'm not sure I understand the logic behind that but I am sure whatever you decide will look great, did you have any ideas as to what brand/type of wheels you are going to get?

 

[Explorer#2]

i was looking around on summitracing.com and the like and i have come to the conclusion that a 15x8 would be better, i am just not up on the how to size wheels. i know how to measure them but i am not sure what it would look like. If i go with the bigger wheel i want the tire to stick out of the wheel well just a little no more that 1/2" so if i wanted that what kind of backspacing would i need.

 

[jimcom]

15X8 with 3.75 Backspace is the most comman setup, it's readily available in most any aftermarket wheel, the wheels I have, which previously were only made in 3.25, are now all 3.75, most people on here get 3.75, it offers you a lot of flexabilty on what type of tire you run. Plus IMHO, a wider stance brought about by a greater backspacing on wheels gives a more sure-footed grip on the road. Plus it looks ten times better. But thats just my thinking, no scientific fact on that.
A backspacing of 4 would work for you also since you don't want the tires to stick out much, it just reduces the availablity of wheels out there to put that restriction in. If you have fender flares that will also make a difference in if your tire sticks out or not. I have the rubbermaid type flares, and my tires don't stick out much.

 

[Explorer#2]

thanks for the help, i think i will go with 15x8 with 3.75 backspacing and a 31x10.5x15 tire

 

[jimcom]

thanks for the help, i think i will go with 15x8 with 3.75 backspacing and a 31x10.5x15 tire

Sounds good, what type of wheel?

 

[Explorer#2]

i am thinking something like a U.S. wheel daytona 84 or crawler 042, i like the black and think it would look good since all of my mods are black or red, for now i will just be getting the wheels because the BFG A/T's that i have now are only about 15,000 miles left on them, but i plan to get the same tire just bigger.