Wheel/Tire combos

[paultvx]

I can't seem to find a definitive answer on the subject.

What's the most ideal backspacing for 16" rims? Ideal=wider track than stock.

Got stock 18s now. Wanting to try 255/70-16.

Figuring the 0.5" difference in diameter won't throw the speedo or gearing off too much.

Got other tire sizes to suggest? Fire away.

[Quest]

Paultvx, it depends. Do you want the tires to stick out as much as possible for lateral stability/looks or do you want the biggest diameter possible with the least impact on the cladding?? For the latter, more backspacing is desirable to minimize the pivot radius. However, on a stock VX you cannot use a backspacing on the front axle greater than stock (5.5") or the rim and/or wheel weights will hit the upper ball joint. However, once the wheel diameter reaches 18" or greater, the backspacing can increase slightly beyond this. I'm trying to find some 16" wheels myself; I'll be puting 255/85R16 tires on them (33" O.D.) and modifying the cladding. I'll be using different wheels in the rear (16x8) for 285/75R16 tires, which have the same diameter. In any case, be mindful of getting aftermarket wheels for the front axle; most won't accomodate the large hubs.

I just reread your post and maybe I answered the wrong question. If you want better handling, stick with the 18" rims. I have 18" with 1.25" spacers which reduce the backspacing to 4.25". The wheels look great (they are on the verge of sticking out but don't) and the cornering is awesome. However, a wheel which was 8" to 9" wide without the spacer would be an even better solution (again, hard to find). I'm curious: why go to 16" wheels if you're not going to use them for off-road? What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
-- Quest

[paultvx]

I will be keeping my stock 18s. Will be using the 16s with more aggressive all terrain or mud terrain tires come spring and summer for camping and general use. So.. basically general use with some off-roading.

I want to keep outer diameter as close to stock 29.5" as possible. Had a Grand Cherokee with 31" tires in the past and that was too much of a reduction in gearing. Really made a huge impact. The Jeep was pretty good to drive in stock form. With the 31s it felt like a slug. I don't want to make the same mistake with the VX... plus unlike the Jeep, the VX has plenty of ground clearance as is. There isn't much need to gain extra height.

I want the wheels/tires to move out a little, flush with cladding. Mostly for looks. That's the only thing I wish was different on the stock VX. Looks odd with the wheels tucked in. Reminds me of the Mopars in the 70s... not as bad, but still awkward.

Since 16" is a stock size... and I am not going extreme on tire size... it shouldn't be a problem as long as I chose the right offset. But, your're saying I can't use greater than stock 5.5" offset? There is no give or take on that? Not even just a little?

[Triathlete]

Most good shops that keep a descent stock will put different size wheels on your vehicle and test fit them. This will help you find out what sizes you like and will work...then you just need to find a wheel you like in that size and go from there. I've had several vehicles that we've done test fits for tires...they are usually happy to do it as long as they get your business!

[Quest]

Paultvx, offset and backspacing are different but related. In any case, to move the tires farther out, you want a SMALLER offset/backspace, so the issues I brought up are mostly irrelevant to you. Cragar's pdf catalog has a nice diagram showing what all these dimensions really mean. Here's how to convert between offset and backspace (units in inches):

BS = (W + 1) / 2 + OFFSET

OFFSET = BS - [(W + 1) / 2]

Note that (W + 1) is the industry standard method to express the external width of the rim measured lip-to-lip. The "official" rim width W is just the internal width the tire sees. Also, note that OFFSET can be either positive or negative; negative offset wheels stick out more.
-- Quest

[Green Dragon]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by paultvx
[
"I want to keep outer diameter as close to stock 29.5" as possible. Had a Grand Cherokee with 31" tires in the past and that was too much of a reduction in gearing. Really made a huge impact. The Jeep was pretty good to drive in stock form. With the 31s it felt like a slug. I don't want to make the same mistake with the VX... plus unlike the Jeep, the VX has plenty of ground clearance as is. There isn't much need to gain extra height."


I Run 265 -75 -16 BFG MT kMs on Stock Isuzu Wheels off road. Diameter is approx 31 which I feel is max size you can go without changing gearing. As for Ground clearance my feeling is you never have enough if your doing real off roading. plus you lose a little bit of height when you air down & a little bit more when you add skid plates.

Dragon Bob;pg;

[paultvx]

How does 16x8 with 4.25" backspace sound? Think that'll work?

[Quest]

16x8 @ 4.25" will stick out past the cladding to a degree that will be easily visible and technically illegal in some states (but will look cool). Your pivot radius would be large enough for a 30" tire to possibly hit the front fender cladding on turns. If you're going with 16x8 rims, why not use a more common backspacing like 4 5/8" or 5"??

[Baxman]

Paul, these are 265/70-16 on 16 X 8 rims w/ zero offset (4" backspacing) Trimming front wheel wells is required, but it doesnt take long and no one can tell.


Rick

[Quest]

Hey, those look nice. I agree with recommending zero offset wheels to Paul; athough the backspace would be 4.5", not 4". See earlier formula post.
--Quest

[paultvx]

Well, so far I've only been able to find the wheels I want in 16x8 with 4.75 backspace. I assume that'd work?

Quest, where did you have to trim?


Okay.. just did a more thorough search online... Looks like my choices are:

16x8 with 5" backspace, 13.97 mm offset and 255 or 265/70-16 for tires.

or...

16x7 with 3.98" backsapce, 0 mm offset and 245/70-16 for tires. With this combo.. the stock spare should be OK to use if I ever need it.

Tires will probably be BFG A/T. Not talking about extreme off-roading here... just forest service roads and fire roads. Not likely to need airing down. Both rim options will probably push the outer edge of the rims 1.5" out from stock.

Wonder if either will work...?

Here's the rim I'm thinking of... cheap and won't mind if it gets messed up.

[Green Dragon]

http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm/55

Dragon Bob

[TDAWG]

I read the post and figured I would tell you about my rims and tires. I have the Konig NRN rims in a 16X8 with Mickey Thompson BAJA Belted 32X11.5 tires. I had to do very little mods and so far so good but I also recently found out that they no longer make them. I will be posting pics of them soon.

[paultvx]

It's been a while since I dealt with offset and backspacing. Can't remember the information and a bit confused now.

Backspace is the distance from the mounting surface to the back face, right?

And offset is distance between mounting surface to center, right?

I used the stock '99 16x7 rim as an example and drew up some quick diagrams. One diagram uses offset while the other uses backspace to define the mounting surface. The two diagrams don't match.




Must be doing something wrong...

It almost looks like offset is distance from center to mounting surface while backspace is distance from rear rim to face of wheel (outside of mounting surface).

[Daver]

I use one of these as my spare:
http://www.4wheelparts.com/product2....AKHLV8EK6PC4AD



TEC51-6883 is the part# for the one I have. 16x8 with a +12mm offset. I like the Tech 1 better than the American Racing because it doesn't have the red and blue stripes. Same dimensions as the American Racing 767-6883. Oddly enough that picture looks like a photochopped version of your American Racing picture. hmm...

My daily drivers are 16x8 with a +10mm offset. They stick out about 1.5" more than the stock 16/18x7s do. I also use BFG A/T KOs, size 265/70R16.

I don't have any pictures of how much my tires stick out, but for the VX, an extra 1.5" out is just right.

Good Luck,
-Daver