15x8 or 15x10??????

[GBranger04]

here's the deal, i plan on going to 33x12.5x15 this summer on my 04 fx4 and i've been looking around for used wheels(with or without the tires) in decent shape since i'm probably gonna beat them up anyway. i was planning on going to a 15x8 wheel but have seen more people selling their 33x12.5x15's on a 15x10 wheel. few questions..

is there much difference in the strength of the bead with an 8" vs 10" wheel?

will the 10" put more strain on my front end and how much?

is there any difference in the amount of backspacing i will need? (3.75 for 8"?) (?.?? for the 10"?

Any other considerations or suggestions?? Opinions welcome!

Thanks for your help
GB

 

[JohnnyO]

Either will be fine. If you're going to off-road a lot and air down, then 8" would be better.
On-road handling will be better with 10". Although you can get 15x10's with 3.75" backspace, IMO that would put too much strain on the front wheel bearings so if I were getting 10's I'd look for 4.0" to 4.25" backspace. You will probably need new front wheel bearings ever year or year and half with 15x10's. They are not serviceable, you just get new ones.
You are going to lift the truck, right? 33x12.50's won't fit unless you do.

 

[Tony Raine]

i used to have a 98 ranger, but they are fairly similar to what you have now.

-98 ranger, ext cab, 4x4, stepside, 3" body lift
-guy i knew had the same damn setup, even the same color. we even both had 1 flowmaster each pulled from the same mustang.

he went with 15x10 rims, i went with 15x8 (both 4" bs)

i went with 33x12.5's and had NO rubbing whatsoever. jumped it, almost rolled it, flexed it out just about every day. no rubbing

buddy had big rubbing issues on anything over a 31x10.5. and more bearing problems than me.

we switched one day, rubbing issues followed the rims

thats just my experience, though. you results may vary

 

[GBranger04]

i don't off road as much as i'd like but my brother has onboard air so if i go with him i'd like to air down and not worry about them. On the road i don't race around or anything so that's not a major concern with 8's. most importantly if it puts that much more strain on the wheel bearings then i think i'll definitely go for the 8's.

You are going to lift the truck, right? 33x12.50's won't fit unless you do.

I'm gonna do the torsion bars hopefully this weekend and get shackles for the rear then get a 3" BL before i go to 33's

Thanks for the input
Anyone else?
GB