Pic request: less backspacing with stock size tires

[Shran]

So here's the deal, I'm considering ditching the stock wheels on my '88 DD. I am looking at these wheels:

http://store.summitracing.com/large...s+Roll+Formed+Wheels&img=aeo-50-184520s_w.jpg

They are 15x7 with 2" of backspacing. I will be running 215/75/15 tires, which I already have. Basically I just want to widen my stance a little bit and dress it up a little. I understand that the stock wheels have something like 3.75-4 inches of backspacing so the tires "sticking out" about another 2" on each side would be ideal.

Anybody have pics of something close to this? A side pic and a front or back pic would be ideal.

 

[07rangersport]

stock BS is 4.5". Anything less than about 3.5" BS will wreck havoc on ball joints and wheels bearings

 

[TwoTrackMind]

My TwoBits

Um, just so u know, Aero wheels are not DOT approved for publik road use. (But alot of peoples do... even someone I know quite personally... If you disregard all other advice, be sure to use '"sholdered" lugnuts to compensate for the 5/8" studholes.) I agree that simply extending the tire outward through use of spacers or less backspacing will put more stress on the bearings, etc. The better way is to get a lower profile tire (with the same diameter) on a wider rim. That keeps the center of the tire closer to what you have now. I have a set of 8.5" alum. rims (with 3.75" backspacing) that work good with 255/60/15. That gives you 2" wider tire (with 1/2" less diameter) and the 2" wider stance youre looking for without alot more stress on bearings, etc.

 

[Shran]

Interesting, I didn't know those weren't highway approved. I poked around a little and couldn't find out why. Maybe I will just go with a DOT approved wheel then, that way if I ever got into a wreck my insurance couldn't blame my illegal wheels.

Thanks for the info. I will look into more backspacing then. I was just curious if there was an easy way to do widen with wheels since I already have the tires

 

[TwoTrackMind]

Two MoreBits

Maybe sell the tires you have now and use the money toward another set? (or in real life, buy new tires&rims then sell the old ones)

I dont believe there would be a legal problem with using an unaproved wheel while involved in an accident, unless catastrophic wheel failure was also involved. Aero and other racing wheels seem to be strong enough (look closely though the 4wheel magazines). Im thinking the expense of the approval process is saved from the price that is charged to the racing public. (lets them charge less). Some models of some wheels are DOT approved for offroad use while some are even approved for highway.

http://www.aeroracewheel.com/
http://diamondracingwheels.com/
http://www.bassettwheel.com/
http://www.bart-wheel.com/

 

[Shran]

Yeah, you may be right about that. It would make sense that a "racing" wheel would need to be as strong as a normal highway wheel.

I am only set on using the tires I have because I got an insanely good deal on them... 5 brand new tires and nice aluminum Jeep wheels for $200! And I'm pretty sure I've already got the wheels sold.

 

[TwoTrackMind]

Then you should be able to at least "break even" on selling the tires too?

Actually, you could just get the wider profile tires and put on the 7" rims you have now. Even up to 275/60/15 (28" high x 10.5" wide)would work just fine. I run that setup years ago on a '70 'Cuda and also used it when I first got my 2nd ranger. It had 3:73 gears and 3.0L and worked good. I bet that would give you the look you want without all the bother and money. One problem tho is in the snow/ice...

 

[rangerbum]

Hey twotrackmind, Did you have the 275/60R15s all the way around on that ranger? and was it stock height? I am definitely getting fat 295/50's out back, and want to know how wide I might be able to get away with in front.

 

[TwoTrackMind]

Yeah I had a set of 4 (left over from a car project) that I put on stock 15x8 wheels from an old ramcharger. It was at the original height then. No clearance problems at all. Since then Ive gone to 31's and still had no problems but over the years I have tweeked the torsion bars a bit - Im thinking they sag after a while

 

[TwoTrackMind]

275/60R15's

Found some pics with 275/60R15's on factory 8" ramcharger wheels.

 

[rangerbum]

Whoa, thats gnarl.

 

[TwoTrackMind]

Two MoreBits even

If It Were Me, (IIWM) I would watch that the front tires were not more diameter then the back... With 295/50/15 in the back, putting 275/60/15 in the front would be doing just that. And this is just personnal preference, but I would look at 255/60/15 or 245/60/15 for the front (or upgrade the rear). Jus sumpthin to thing about... Do your own math (DYOM)
http://rockcrawler.com/techreports/...p?PSize=265&Ratio=70&RimSize=16&Submit=Submit

 

[rangerbum]

If It Were Me, (IIWM) I would watch that the front tires were not more diameter then the back... With 295/50/15 in the back, putting 275/60/15 in the front would be doing just that. And this is just personnal preference, but I would look at 255/60/15 or 245/60/15 for the front (or upgrade the rear). Jus sumpthin to thing about... Do your own math (DYOM)
http://rockcrawler.com/techreports/...p?PSize=265&Ratio=70&RimSize=16&Submit=Submit

Ya, I looked around, Thanks for the concern though I ended up getting the 245/60's up front. Its Gnarl. they handle SWEET!!! I took them off for winter(after 2 days of testing lol). I Should have taken pix. These bad boys changed my truck completely. Its sick!

 

[TwoTrackMind]

295/50R15 in back, 245/60R15 up front

Well done weedhopper..