m4belisle

Hi All,
I've been out of the Jeep life for a couple years, but recently came back to it.

I bought a 2016 JKU, with 4" lift and 35 x 12.50 tires.......here is the issue, the previous owner put 20" wheels on it. While I am not totally opposed to 20" (as I'll eventually go to 37s), they put 20 x 12 (-44 offset / 4.75 backspace)on it!! The 12.50" wide tire on a 12" wide wheel pretty much means airing down for wheeling is out the window. Since the tires are brand new, what are your thoughts on going to a 20x9 wheel with 3.75 backspacing?

I only plan on wheeling this 4-6 times per year, mainly on green trails.

appreciate any help!

resharp001

If you're not a huge fan of 20" in general, consider that you might have an easier time selling the wheel/tire combo as is, and just moving on to something else that you'd prefer. The problem selling wheels is a buyer then incurs the additional cost of mounting a tire. Sometimes it's enticing for someone to just buy the package, bolt it on and go. Also saves you from cost of breaking each wheel down and paying to mount the tire (that you didn't pick but are just trying to make work) on a new wheel. 17x9 wheels make much more sense IMO. Also, with a 35, you are fine with 4.5" BS. There will be a ton more options than trying to find something with 3.75" BS.

m4belisle

I should have mentioned, I love the wheels that are on there (Fuel Vapor).....so if i switched it to the same wheel...just in a 20x9 it would be a 3.75" backspace......that's where the 3.75 is coming from.

resharp001

If you're going to be airing down to go off road.....depending on what type of offroading you have in that area, one thing to consider is you could be exposing those wheels to some rock rash. There's not much protecting the edges of that particular wheel. I only bring it up as I trashed a nice set of Fuel Boost wheels along the way with my wheelin', and when I finally got ready to upgrade to beadlocks, I found those wheels worth little value to anyone and they just remain sitting off to the side of my garage....all tore up. Obviously whatever wheel is all personal preference, i just know first hand how bad that sucks.

Wandell

A 9 inch wide wheel with 3.75 inch backspacing will be fine if you like the look of the slightly wider stance it will give.

m4belisle

Thanks for the input