backspacing

[Rick Carlisle]

I realize there have been tons of posts regarding tires and wheels, so please humor me here.
If I install 285/76/16 tires with 16x8 rims w/4 1/2" backspacing, will the tires stick out past the vehicle? Can I do this without trimming/cutting?
I have read what is said about the 285/75/16's but the backspacing of 4 1/2" vs. stock is what concerns me.
I have recently installed LR heavy duty springs on the front, medium duty springs on the rear, and bilsteins shocks.
Thanks for the help.

[TDI Guy]

Rick, you can run those tires on even the stock rims with no problem.. Correct me if I'm wrong guys. Or run them on the 6.5"wide wolf rims with no prob.


Randy

[Rick Carlisle]

Thanks Randy. Am I wrong in saying the 4 1/2" backspacing will stick the tire out more? or am I confused on this. I also have the option of going 4" backspacing but thought I would do 4 1/2" to lessen the chance of the tire sticking out.

[tbmcneill]

you're only talking ~3/4" difference .... stock is 5 & change. the tires will stick out more than stock. you MAY get mild rubbing depending on how much lift your setup gives you. you're certainly not going to have to start chopping flares, though. for comparison, i used to run 35x12.5R15s on 4" backspaced rims with 2" lift and only rubbed at >90% compression ... & that was just the flares.
T

[Rick Carlisle]

Damn, not sure why, but this is confusing to me.
So, Troy, since I have a choice, I should go with 16x8 w/4 1/2" backspacing vs. same w/4" backspacing to keep the tire further inside the wheelwells??

[Buckon37s]

Backspacing numbers are run from the mounting point of the wheel back towards the inside lip of the wheel. That means the lower the number, the farther it will stick out. The 4.5 will be .5 inches farther inside the 4in wheel. Hope that helps. Is there any reason why you do not want a wider stance??

[Rick Carlisle]

Thank you David. I understand it now.
I like a wide stance but just don't want to get so wide the tires stick out past the wheelwells. While that may be what you want off-road, it is not the look I want for my daily driver. So I want as wide as I can get but still be inside the wheelwells. Just my preference.
Thanks again for all who responded.
Rick

[tbmcneill]

backspacing and offset are easy to get mixed up. here's a straightforward breakdown off a Porsche site (the only other truly great automobile in the world :grin )....
http://www.hillmanimages.com/912/wheels.html
T

[Rick Carlisle]

Troy, great site. I'm sure I'm not the only one who didn't get this.
I agree on the Porsche, by the way. I've had a 1972 911e, a 1969 911s and a 1962 356 Super 90. All great cars.
Rick