My 4" Superlift is on the big brown truck and I have decided to get the Cragar 365 wheels. The size would be 16x8 with 4.5 backspacing. I plan on putting either 35's or 37's on these. With these wheels, will I need to get spacers for either size tire? What is the best size backspaced 16" wheel to get without needing to buy spacers. I searched through many posts and couldn't find my exact answer, thanks in advance!!

 

How wide are you going.....if you are 12.5 or less you should be ok

 

If I go with the 35's then it will be 12.50, but if I go with the 37's then I would probably be looking in the 13.00 range. I had the BFG A/T's 35x12.50r15's on my old '97 TJ, but now I was looking at the Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ in the same size. This is my DD and I do fairly moderate trails and sand. I guess I have another question now that I am on the subject... Would 37's be too much on a stock X axel even if the JK is mostly a DD. I realize that there are many many opinions on this, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Thanks!

 

Well, to fit 12.5's people use 1.5" spacers on the oem 6.25" BS'd rims....giving them 4.75" of BS.

If you are talking about going to a 13" section width....that only protrudes inboard another 0.25" than a 12.5" section width tire...so, a 4.5" BS rim would be EXACTLY correct.

Now, if you went for a 13.5" section width...maybe it would be a bit close again, etc.

Obviously, all of those section widths are nominal sizes, and one brand/model's 12.5" might BE 13", and another's 12.5" might be 12", etc.

So, I guess its fine, unless your variability from nominal or ultimate section width choices change that.

There IS a point at which you'd need wider fender flares in most states, as most states don't allow the tire to protrude out past the fender....too little BS, and you're ordering flat fenders.

 

Hmmmmm......is that a bad thing...

 

Not the way I was smiling.

 

Thanks for the help TEEJ, that puts everything into perspective! Would it be feasible to run 35x12.50r16 Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ Radials on the stock X 16" rims with spacers. I don't want to blow a bead or anything, which I doubt I would since I only do light to moderate off-roading.

 

Hmmm...

OK, the MT ATZ's don't really come in a 35x12.5/16...but, they do have a LT315/75R16 that's about 34.5" Diameter...but a 12.9" section width.

So, its sort of a nominal 35x12.5/16.

The OEM rims with the 1.5" spacers might work, the 12.9" section width will be a smidge narrower on the 7.5" rim maybe enough to clear w/o serious rub.

Its got like a 10" tread which is nice as far as footprint goes...but the load range means you are going to be riding hard unless your psi is throttled back, etc.

Throttling back the psi might bulge the sidewall more...a viscious cycle.

Ironically, the one tire you pick as your 35x12.5, to use the oem rims... is closer to 13"....making it more like what you asked about with the aftermarket rims with no spacer.

 

Just an FYI, I've seen quite a few people on here mention they are running 35x12.5's and have wheels with 5" backspace.

Also seen quite a few mention they are running 37x13.50 with stock wheels + 1.5 spacers (4.75" BS)

 

I currently have the stock X 16" wheels on my JK, if at all possible I would like to run the 1.25" Spidertrax spacers with the stock rims. What is the backspacing on my stock rims? Also, how is backspacing measured on the rim? This would save a lot of money if I didn't have to switch my wheels out, and also I really like the stock wheels too. One last thing... with the stock wheels being only 7" wide, will that hold the bead better when airing down? THANKS!