Buying new Wheels/tires, Backspacing?

[Blakesgst]

Hey Guys,


I would like to order some new wheels and tires this week but wanted to ask about backspacing. I plan on getting 31/10.5's (15 inch wheel) but am not sure what the backspacing should be. Also, is a 15x8 wheel acceptable for that tire size or should i get something wider? I have a 98 ranger 4x4. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Blake

 

[JohnnyO]

Ideally look for 3.75" backspace, no more than 4.0". A 15x8 rim is fine for a 31x10.50 tire, you really don't want it any wider.

 

[88_Eddie]

i plan on running 31/10.50 on my original 15x7 wheel. 15x8 will just make them sit out wider.

 

[Blakesgst]

Thanks for the quick reply guys.

Blake

 

[Blakesgst]

Ideally look for 3.75" backspace, no more than 4.0". A 15x8 rim is fine for a 31x10.50 tire, you really don't want it any wider.

One more thing,

I realized its only a 1/4 of an inch but which one puts the wheel out further/wider on the truck? I had planned on getting crager soft 8's, seems like i can only find them with 4 inch backspace so i hope that is ok.

Thanks,

Blake

 

[Jay FX4]

One more thing,

I realized its only a 1/4 of an inch but which one puts the wheel out further/wider on the truck? I had planned on getting crager soft 8's, seems like i can only find them with 4 inch backspace so i hope that is ok.

Thanks,

Blake

The less backspacing you have, the more it will stick out.

Stock Ranger wheels have a backspace of at least 4" (maybe 4.5?) so a wheel with a 4" backspacing will be fine, even if it's an inch wider overall, like going from 7" to 8". I agree that 3.75 would be more ideal, but 31x10.5 tires are by no means oversized, so you won't have any issues due to backspacing either way. A 7" wide wheel and an 8" wide wheel, bot with 4" backspacing, means that the 8" will stick out an inch further to the outside.