Optimal Backspacing
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Montana
Optimal Backspacing
Anyone know the optimal back spacing to use when ordering a new set of rims? Im looking at new rims and I dont wanna have to use spacers on the front like the ones on it now use. I heard it was different front to rear....not sure, my current settup keeps stripping lugs because the spacer only lets me grab so much thread on eachwheel stud and it ends up stripping the lugs.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Montana
You think that will eliminate the need for those spacers? I think the kid that owned it before just bought a generic wheel and tire package and they threw a 1/4" spacer on the front. Im guessing its so the tires wouldnt rub on the radius arms.....it did show alittle evidence of rubbing there at one time.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Montana
Right now I have 15x10 wheels and 33x12.50 tires, with a (i think) 1/4" spacer in the front.....so it doesnt rub the radius arms...it looks like they rubbed at one time and someone put the spacers in and now it doesnt.
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From: Clermont county, Ohio
I'm currently running a set of 1st gen. Lightnings on my 93 and they do rub (yeah, I learned the hard way) but I want to go with a set of Cragar 20x8.5 wheels. So the 4 1/4" backspacing should work. With your larger off roadies, I would probably try to stick with the 4" backspacing, if not less, just be careful not to go to shallow or you could run into trouble by putting to much of an uneven load on your bearings.
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Post Fiend
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From: Topsfield, MA
Originally Posted by 78ihs2
ive got 33x12.5 on 15x10's with 5 or 5.5 i think and no rubbing
The right way to do this is to measure, not guess.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Take your stock tire off, put a ruler or straight edge across the backside of the rim. Measure the distance between the rim mounting surface and the straight edge, and it'll give you the backspacing.
Note the backspacing of the stock wheel, pick a style wheel you like and find out what backspacing options are available. Decide what tire size you want.
The backspacing isn't all that critical - but it depends on what size tire you're going to use. The only clearance issue you'll have on a wider tire is on the radius arms at full turn. The backspacing doesn't help very much to prevent this, it's part of the deal.
If it were me and I was looking to put wider than stock tires on, I'd go with a shorter backspace. My 32/11.5s on the stock wheels will rub on my skyjacker radius arms which are bent for clearance. So will my 35/12.5s that have a better backspacing.
Don't get yourself too wrapped up in it...and get rid of those crappy spacers.
Note the backspacing of the stock wheel, pick a style wheel you like and find out what backspacing options are available. Decide what tire size you want.
The backspacing isn't all that critical - but it depends on what size tire you're going to use. The only clearance issue you'll have on a wider tire is on the radius arms at full turn. The backspacing doesn't help very much to prevent this, it's part of the deal.
If it were me and I was looking to put wider than stock tires on, I'd go with a shorter backspace. My 32/11.5s on the stock wheels will rub on my skyjacker radius arms which are bent for clearance. So will my 35/12.5s that have a better backspacing.
Don't get yourself too wrapped up in it...and get rid of those crappy spacers.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Montana
Cool I need to figure out what backspaceing is on these 15x10 rims im runnning.....and ill measure a stock rim and use the spacer thickness to adjust accordingly. I think the kid that got the rims rubbed the new radius arms alittle...you can see it so he put a spacer on, like I said you can hear the threads busting on the lug nuts. I replace 2 lugs per side every six months. When I rotate tires and put them back on they strip right out when I put them back on, it sucks.
Post Fiend
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From: Topsfield, MA
Then get rid of those spacers like I said in the post above.
Not only are those things a safety hazard for you and everyone else on the road - but they are possibly illegal (not that you'd get caught) and they are just plain stupid.
I'd much rather live with a little radius arm rubbing - that is no big deal at all. You can even set your steering stops to prevent the rubbing if you want.
Not only are those things a safety hazard for you and everyone else on the road - but they are possibly illegal (not that you'd get caught) and they are just plain stupid.
I'd much rather live with a little radius arm rubbing - that is no big deal at all. You can even set your steering stops to prevent the rubbing if you want.