I apologize for the redundant question but I spent hours reading through multiple forums on wheels and tires. I want a wide stance look on my 2011 JK Unlimited without a lift or spacers. Looking at Eagle Alloy 050 18x8.5, come in either 4.5" or 5.5" backspacing (was either these or Centerlines given I wanted made in USA). I eventually want to put Cooper 33x12s (305/60/18) on these (will currently keep the stock 255/70/18 until they wear). These threads say I need 4.5" backspacing but the tire shops tell me I need the 5.5" as the 4.5" will require a lift. Please advise.

 

Wheel Backspacing is covered in the newby sticky at the top of the forum, along with a bunch of other good info...

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...bie-has-18617/

 

4.5" bs will stick out more than 5.5" which is what you want for your situation. I ran 33s on 18" rims with 4.5" bs and no lift for a while. The only thing I rubbed was the plastic air dam under the front bumper. I trimmed it a bit with a razor knife and was all good. Or remove it. but if you wheel it with stock fenders you will rub them.

 

Though this sticky is there, the link to wheels and tires is broken. I'm looking up similar information and that was the first place i looked..

 

Although the in thread links are broken they just reference a starting spot in the thread. All you need to do is scroll down to the starting point.

 

If you don't plan on going any bigger with tires then 5.5" bs is all you need. Wheel bs and lift have really nothing to do with each other, if your shop is telling you a 4.5" bs wheel needs a lift then I would find another shop that know what it is doing.

 

To be clear, 4.5" will provide the wider stance. BTW, you don't plan to drive this off road, do you? If so, strongly suggest you reconsider that wheel choice. Sidewall protects the wheel from damage off-road, and lets you lower tire pressures more to better perform/have a more comfortable ride. Unless you're planning to build a mall crawler (nothing wrong with that if you want), suggest you study up on tires versus rim size for off road usage. While large rims/narrow tires are seeing some popularity on pick-up trucks, in the Jeep world they are considered ... weird looking.

 

Mark,

Im going to fix that last part for you. in the jeep world they are considered.......WRONG!

There, your welcome!

 

Thanks for the help, fellas. I went with American Racing Cornice wheels 17x9 with 4.5" backspacing. Getting the Cooper 315/70/17 (~35") so will need to add a 2.5" lift at some point.

I spent hours trying to find an American made wheel solution. The 3 styles I tried buying from Eagle Alloy were either discontinued or on back order. The best American options (Weld, Centerline) were 4-6 weeks and ~$500 a wheel. It's sad American made wheels can't compete.