I know there is many topics on backspacing and tire sizes throughout this, but I cannot find a straight answer to what I need. I currently have a set of 33x12.5 BFG AT KOs with some aluminum wheels I don't know the backspacing on, but they stick out quite a bit. I have a 3" lift and Shrock bumper. They rub very badly when I turn more than 1 whole turn, and if I hit a bump, forget it. I wanted to get some black steel wheels that would rub the least and wouldn't be sucky when I wheeled. I was thinking about going with a 4.75" backspacing but I really have no clue what would be the best answer. If someone could please help me with the best backspacing for the tires I would be super happy, I am tired of the rubbin'!

Thanks!

I have 33/12.5's on 4.75BS, you want 5.5 stock BS, trust me, the 4.75's stick out too much

I'm looking to switch mine from 4.75 to 5.5, just saving some green

Check this site out: http://www.rocky-road.com/wheels.html

Thanks for the quick reply, a few concerns...

But wouldn't you want to go a bit less of a BS so that the tires don't rub inside the wheel wells against the truck due to the wider tire than stock? If you kept the stock 5.5" BS with the much wider tires, wouldn't when you turned the tires would hit the frame up front and when wheelin' and you stuff the rear wheels wouldn't they rub the frame inside? So maybe a 5" BS would suffice? Again, I haven't a clue, that is why I am asking, I am just throwing thoughts out as they come to me...

Yes, they will definitely rub like a mofo in the rear.

The stock BS is ~5.075, on a 7 inch wide rim. On a 15x8, a 5.5 BS will give you pretty close to factory offset. With stock wheels, I rub in the rear when articulating (with 32s). I do not know what the consequences will be in the front with 33x12.5s, but mine doesn't seem to be close to rubbing.

Good luck.

My rears are at least 3.5"~4" away from the frame with 4.75

JeffW-

So do you think a 5" BS would be a better decision for me then? I was thinking that the 5.5" would be way to close to the frame. I am just tired of rubbing...and I want black rims. Most importantly I want the best BS for the least amount of rubbin'. I could have gotten 32" tires, but I got a great deal on the 33s I got on there...

Perhaps sitting there, but at full flex, even a 4.75 BS should be rubbing with a 33x12.5s.

I have 32 x 10.5 and they are rubbing with the stock 40mm offset. So a 33 x 12.5 will absolutely rub at even an additional inch of offset.

What width rim do you have? That (with backspacing) determines offset. Backspacing is not really meaningful by itself.



You may not be able to eliminate the problem without a body lift or more extreme suspension lift (such as SAS). Trimming wheelwells and adjusting bumpstops may help, too. Personally, I would rather have a wider stance and go for the BL with some trimming.

TJ, or somebody pipe in here!

I have the BL with trimming it rubs using 4.75BS in the front on the metal near the door under compression wile turning due to being to far out of the wheel well

JeffW-

I need to figure out what my BS and offset is, I forget now. I will ask the guy I bought them from. I would rather not get a body lift due to the Shrock bumper and sliders.

TunaSoda-

So with your setup [4.75" BS], can you compress your back wheels completely without any issues? Also, do they rub up front when you are turning or slightly turning hitting a bump [say going up the driveway]? Maybe 4.75" is the best I will get? I wish someone with 5" backspacing with 33x12.5s could chime in...that would be super!

Thanks for the help aready though guys, the internet is so awesome.

I'm not sure about the back, I do have a 2"BL and the front will rub when steering around or more than say 45° or so (only under compression)

TunaSoda-

I think the back wouldn't really make a difference with a BL because I was worried about it hitting the inside part of the fenderwell, the part against the frame area, so a BL would only move it up, not out of the way, did that make sense? Now the BL up front sure helps I am sure, I guess I just need to figure out what my BS is currently. I am fairly certain it is either 4" or 4.5", because when I hit a puddle or anything, it is all over the side of my car for sure...that gets rather annoying too...I think 5" might be the way to go but I need to figure out what mine are right now. If I am assuming correctly, the less the tires stick out, the more you will be able to turn the wheel without rubbin'?

Yes, the higher the number, the more pulled in the wheel is into the well.
Do you have a pic of your setup?

Here is how mine stick out with the 4.75:

Yeah, let me go home and post one...probably in like an hour. Mine look much like yours but I sorta cannot tell since we have quite different tires...

Less backspacing makes it more likely to rub on the fender, more backspacing brings it closer to the frame.

To compute offset from backspacing:

Ofst(inches) = BS - (width/2)

Ofst(metric) = Ofst(inches) x 25.4 = [BS - (width/2)] x 25.4

Backspacing from metric offset:

BS = (Ofst/25.4) + (width/2)

Good luck!

Here is a picture of it when it was clean...

Nice X!

Are you getting any rub at all on the rear tires?

I would guess that you have a BS similar to mine of 3.75. Mine do not rub anymore. I have a 2"BL and PML. However, I am still running 31x1050 tires. When I make the jump to 33x1250, I will get crager soft 8's with 4.75 BS.

You could always buy some desert runner rims on ebay for about $500.

I noticed you have no Body Lift. That is a cheaper way to stay with the same wheel/tire combo you currently have. You will definatley not rub with the body raised 2"...especially if you adjust your steering stops also.

I prefer the look and performance of a wider stance, myself. I like the way you truck looks-similar to mine. Might consider the 2"BL.

Hope this helps.

ETA: With that wide stance and big meats, you should really consider getting a HD steering setup. Just FYI...

That is what I have, it sucks as far as front rubbing (plastic is gone, metal is trimmed in about 1.5")

Nothing my handy dandy litlle sawzall can't cure!



ETA: you probably would not have any issues with a full 3" lift added to your 2"BL and PML. You truck look great by the way.

Not true, we used an air powered cutter and it can't be trimmed back anymore without cutting through the floorboards

You mean adding the extra inch?

An extra 1.5". since that is what you had to trim back from you front fender, right?

I might have to go that route, not that I want to spend that kind of money for the inch or so, and I will have gaps bumper-wise

How will your bumper have gaps from a suspension lift? Don't you have a 2"BL and 1.5" PML??? Bumper gaps only occur from body lifts.

I thought you were refering to going from a 2" BL, to a 3" BL
I was mistaken
A full 3" SL will still stuff to the same point won't it?