Wheel Back Spacing

T

Turtle

NAXJA Forum User

Location

MN

• Feb 21, 2011

• #1

I have searched. My friend gave me a set of 5 Super Swampers 31x11.5x15, So I am going to buy some steelies. Everything I see here is stating to run 3.75" or 4" back space on a 15x8 wheel.

From what I can tell the 3.75" would give me more room, is this correct, and if so is it necessary, or better? It saves me $50 going with a 4" BS with a rebate from Discount Tire, but do not want to compromise just for $50.

 

fyrfytr1717

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Turlock, CA

• Feb 21, 2011

• #2

You're correct that 3.75" backspacing pushes the wheel farther out than 4" would, but I think either should be fine with 11.5" wide tires. Lots of folks run 12.5's with 4" of backspacing.

 

Johnnie Walker

Piece of Fish!

NAXJA Member

Location

WA state

• Feb 21, 2011

• #3

Either is definitely better than the stock 5.25". The most common BS for wheels for our XJ's seems to be 4" I would say for that small amount the extra 50$ isn't THAT worth it.

 

T

Turtle

NAXJA Forum User

Location

MN

• Feb 21, 2011

• #4

I was just thinking that after airing down and flexing the tire the extra room might be good.

 

S

Steve F

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Australia

• Feb 21, 2011

• #5

I run a 35x12.5 on 4.75" backspacing with no problems after winding out the steering stops a little (we have a lot of legal issues here with increased wheel track and flare coverage etc) I also ran the same wheels with 32x11.5 again with no problems, in fact it was ideal at that size. 3.75 backspacing will put a lot more load on the hubs and you'll wear them quicker, with the choice of the two I'd go 4" backspacing.

Cheers
Steve

 

T

Turtle

NAXJA Forum User

Location

MN

• Feb 21, 2011

• #6

Great info! I thought about the hubs, and the flares maybe needing to be bigger. They do also offer a 4.75" for the same cost. So 4.75" would work and would be ideal with this tire size?

 

S

Steve F

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Australia

• Feb 21, 2011

• #7

This is a 32x11.5 on 15x8 with 4.75 backspacing. Aftermarket control arms stop it rubbing but it's close I was very happy with this setup though, even better when I put the bushwacker flat flares on.

Cheers
Steve

 

T

Turtle

NAXJA Forum User

Location

MN

• Feb 21, 2011

• #8

So I would need after market LCA's to run 4.75" backspace?

 

S

Steve F

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Australia

• Feb 21, 2011

• #9

I cant be sure that the tyres wont rub at full look on stock control arms, they certainly didn't rub on my RE arms.

Cheers
Steve