Wheel fitment question

[ghunt81]

Looking at wheels and tires for this truck once it's all done, I want a 32" tire and was planning on the American Racing AR172 (Baja).

I wanted to just run 15x8's with 32x11.50's, but I noticed American Racing's website recommends the 16x8's for this truck, which I also noticed have better backspacing for the extra width (4.5 on the 16x8 vs. 3.75 on the 15x8).

Totaling everything up the price difference between 15x8's with 32x11.50's, and 16x8's with 265/75R16's is less than $100 total.

So I guess the question is what would fit better? Would the 15x8's stick out weird with the wider tire on them? Would the 16x8's be more likely to rub up front?

 

[don4331]

Not exactly answering your question but:

My '99 was offered stock from Ford with 265/75R15s on 15x7 rims with 4" backspacing or... (265/75R15 is more/less 31x10.5R15)
245/75R16s on 16x8 rims with 4.45" backspacing.

So, 265/75R16s on 16x8 rims with 4.5" backspacing is almost exactly where Ford designed them. You would probably have a little rub - my 31x10.5R15s rub just a little at full lock on one side when reversing.

The 32x11.5R15s with backspacing mentioned will sit our ~1.5" further out, which would put them very close to the truck's fender flares at full compression (especially as your '09 torsion keys have you sitting a little lower), but they wouldn't rub at full lock. <I'd want a 3" body lift...>

 

[ghunt81]

I forgot to mention I have pre-07 keys, #1 bars and 2" shackles to go on the truck, they just aren't on it yet.

Also being an XL my truck does not have fender flares so I will probably have to buy some (tires have to be within the fenders or flares to pass inspection here).

So the 15x8" with 3.75" backspacing would have the tires sticking out an inch and a half? Guess I have to decide what I want, the price difference isn't as bad as I originally thought it would be.