backspacing/offset

[Rob93]

Hi everyone, I did some searching but didn't really find anything to help. I am looking to buy new rims for my jeep. I have 235/75's right now but will be upgrading to a larger tire that will be 10.5" wide. I am looking to get a 15x7 wheel but I need to know what offset and backspacing to get. Does anyone know? I don't want the tires to be rubbing but I also don't want too much extra strain on the wheel bearings.

Thanks in advance

[Shadly1]

3.5"

[Shadly1]

Why do you want a 15x7? That's the same as a stock wheel. If you plan on using a 10.5 " tire just use a 15x10 rim. The 15x10s will make your tires [and Jeep] look ten times better and you'll have a wider track. Don't worry about your wheel bearings, they will be fine. I've had 15x10s for over 4 years and still have the same wheel hubs (bearings). If you decide to go with 15x10s make sure they have 3 5/8" back spacing. I run 15x10s with 33s and I'm now seeing the error with this setup. It makes my Jeep 6" wider! If I wanted that I would have bought a Cherokee. Plus, it's really hard to reseat a bead on the trail. It's pretty common to lose a bead when you air down. My near future buildup will include 35x12.50R15s on 15x8s.

[Tomb Raider]

Why do you want a 15x7? That's the same as a stock wheel. If you plan on using a 10.5 " tire just use a 15x10 rim. The 15x10s will make your tires [and Jeep] look ten times better and you'll have a wider track. Don't worry about your wheel bearings, they will be fine. I've had 15x10s for over 4 years and still have the same wheel hubs (bearings). If you decide to go with 15x10s make sure they have 3 5/8" back spacing.

You never asked the guy what size tire he is running. If it's a 10.50 tire....it's more than likely a 31 or 33. On a 10" rim, that would be a bad move for someone who goes off the pavement.

As mentioned above, a 15x8 rim and whatever size tire you want will work well. I've seen 40's on 15x8's, and a 31 on a 15x8 will work well too. As noted, get the 3.5" backspacing as the 4" backspacing commonly found will start to rub once you get to the larger tires.

[butch6924]

If you ask me, unless you're running a 13.5 or wider tire, 15x10's are a bad idea. They stretch the tire out too wide and cause all sorts of problems. Beads not seating at low psi, too much contact patch causing rolling resistance on the road, too little flex for the sidewalls to allow for a soft ride. Wider is better, but, make it up in back spacing not wheel width.

*disclaimer* this is just my opinion and should in no way be considered to be fact.

[Rob93]

15x10 is way too wide for a 235/75 which is the tire I will be mounting on these rims first.

15x7 is fine for a 10.5 inch tire. 15x8 would be better for pavement but I air down on the beach so 15x7 is better so that the bead does not unseat.

Ok so for a 15x7 I should get a rim with 3.5" of backspacing but with how much offset? 0?

[butch6924]

Backspacing - rim width = Offset

one determines the other.

[vsheetz]

I run 15x8 with 4" backspacing on 32x11.5" tires. If 10.5" tire, I would run the stock 7" wide rim or a 8" wide rim. The 10.5" tire on the 7" stock rim will rub at full turn, but a couple washers under the stops will eliminate that from happening

If a 12.5" tire I would run an 8" wide rim - keeps the rocks or curbs from scarfing up the rim.

From an estectics perspective, I would not run a wheel with a lot of backspacing on a smaller tire - we've all seen the Jeeps running down the road that look like the tires are on outriggers.