Need help deciding on backspace for new wheels.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:05 pm

Well, I posted this question on Tyres,Meats,Donuts,ect. with no replies. Really need to "Phone a Friend" on this one.
I'm ordering new AR OUTLAW II wheels as part of a "Weight Watchers" program for the Libby. I now have the stock steel wheels (16X7....I believe are 5.5 backspaced) and am going to a (16X8). The tires I'm runnin are 265/75/16 and rub the swaybar at full cut. I need atleast enough backspacing to clear the swaybars,but the wider the stance,the better.I figure now is a good time to get the best backspacing to avoid the added cost of Spidertrax later. Give me some opinions.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:01 am

Ron,
I beleive for the 16X8 rim and 265/75/16's you need to go with 5" B.S. in order to get the rear tires to clear the inside of the flares when stuffing.

I'm still looking for Rubcon rims that have that same B.S. for my 265/75/16's.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:41 am

You will surely rub with 16x8 and 5"BS. I just had the 255/70/17 tires with the OME lift(only 1.5in) and I had heavy rubbing front and rear. I had to get extended bumpstops for the rear and didnt worry about the front.

I now have 245/70/16 tires and the rustys front lift. The front still BARELY touches the foglight area at full lock. :wink:

Spike6901 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:08 am

I agree. My 265's rubbed on the front suspension, I lost turning radius, and I don't think that 1/2" less B.S. would have been enough. My 245's even rub ever so slightly but it I didn't notice until I pulled the tire off and there was a very slight clean spot.

I would go with a 4.5" B.S. Check out the specs for the Rubi wheels. They seem to be the 'perfect' answer to this question for you. I would have gone that route a long time ago if I had the dough. I ended up going to the 245's for this exact reason.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:30 pm

Thanks KJ04,Jeepjeepster,and Spike6901 for the replys. I wished I had a few different wheels laying around to test fit, but I don't. If my stock wheels are 5.5 backspaced I was thinking like KJ04,then 5.0 would probably do it,but not sure. does anybody kn ow the width and backspacing on the rubi wheel? I'm ordering these off of EBAY and only have one shot to get it right.

Thanks for any help,you guys have a better idea than I do.
Ron

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:41 pm

Rubicon rims= 16x8 5" BS.

PBrug · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:25 pm

I switched to Moabs/Rubi rims a little while back while still running the stock suspension and 235/70/16 SR-A's. Since doing so I have noticed what I believe to be some slight rubbing on the pinch weld when turning the wheels. I don't remember seeing how close the tires came to the pinch weld with my stock rims, but I know now with the Moabs they come very close to touching while parked. I didn't think the 0.5" difference in backspacing and 1" wider rim would cause any rubbing with the stock set-up. I know the Moabs push things out 1.5", but is that normal? Do the Moabs actually cause you to lose clearance up front?

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:09 pm

Moabs give you more clearance for suspension, but less for fender wells. :wink:

Wouldnt the moabs push things out 2"more? 1" per side?

1/2in for the wider rim and 1/2in for less BS?

PBrug · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:13 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Moabs give you more clearance for suspension, but less for fender wells. :wink:

Wouldnt the moabs push things out 2"more? 1" per side?

1/2in for the wider rim and 1/2in for less BS?

I'd say they push things out a total of 3".

0.5" BS and 1" wider rim with per side, but I could be wrong.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:20 pm

PBrug wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Moabs give you more clearance for suspension, but less for fender wells. :wink:

Wouldnt the moabs push things out 2"more? 1" per side?

1/2in for the wider rim and 1/2in for less BS?

I'd say they push things out a total of 3".

0.5" BS and 1" wider rim with per side, but I could be wrong.

Yea, I see where you coming from. But since the rims mount from the center of the rim(well, close to the center) the rim will overall be 1" wider, but only a 1/2 per side of the center. Does that make sense?

KJ04 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:07 pm

The Moab's should work ok with the 265/75's since ARB Seth and AZ Scout are both running that size and tjkj2002 just ordered black alloys in a 16X8 W/5" B.S. for his 265/75/16's. If you backspace much more than 5", on a 16X8 I don't think you'll clear the rear flares when stuffing.

I could be wrong, so hopefully, someone that's running that set up will chime in.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:53 pm

I think I'll probably go with 5" backspace. The same as the Rubicons. I'm with KJ04 on this one cause I do want to be able to stuff somewhat without tearing the flairs off. I would think that actual backspacing should be the same no matter what wheel,it's just that the difference in total width would be added to the outside of the wheel. I knew I joined L.O.S.T. for a good reason,It's all of you guys taking the time to try and help me out with this. :wink:

Now to line up some armor and recovery points so I can get out there with you all.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:33 pm

I have 4" BS on 16x7 and no rubbing on anything.

Recommend against 16x8 though

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:38 pm

lilmatty wrote:

I have 4" BS on 16x7 and no rubbing on anything.

Recommend against 16x8 though

Whys that?

lilmatty · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:14 pm

LiLredLibby wrote:

lilmatty wrote:

I have 4" BS on 16x7 and no rubbing on anything.

Recommend against 16x8 though

Whys that?

Less chance of blowing a bead when aired down.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:31 pm

lilmatty wrote:

LiLredLibby wrote:

lilmatty wrote:

I have 4" BS on 16x7 and no rubbing on anything.

Recommend against 16x8 though

Whys that?

Less chance of blowing a bead when aired down.

Good point. Never looked at it that way. :wink:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:43 pm

A 16X8 rim will be fine with 265/75 R16's,now running 245's will have a better chance of blowing a bead.265's can be mounted on 7"-8" rim,I ran mine on a 8" rim and aired downed plenty of times with no problems.I just went to 7" rims to save wieght(and saved about $12 a rim) and now going back to 8" rims in alloy to save even more wieght.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:08 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

A 16X8 rim will be fine with 265/75 R16's,now running 245's will have a better chance of blowing a bead.265's can be mounted on 7"-8" rim,I ran mine on a 8" rim and aired downed plenty of times with no problems.I just went to 7" rims to save wieght(and saved about $12 a rim) and now going back to 8" rims in alloy to save even more wieght.

Thats probably true too, cause the 265/75 is a wider tire than the 245. Did you go with the 5" backspace tjkj2002?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:32 pm

Yes I went with the 5" BS,new rims should be in next week as well as the tires.Going to wait awhile to mount them,want to wear these old MT/R's out a little bit more so I can mount some boggers on them(the old rims that is)

.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:56 pm

tjkj2002 So are you going with the Victory haulers? Should look real good. Are you going back to the 265s? I am going to Boston this weekend but next I want to stop by one of their shops and see if they have any in yet to look at. Still not sure if 7 or 8 inch though.

Need help deciding on backspace for new wheels.

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