I've looked and looked and decided to bit the bullet and I'm just going to ask you guys.

What is the difference between 17x8 and 17x9 wheels? And what is the difference between 4.50 and 5.00 backspacing?

Thanks in advance.

 

If you haven't done so, you may want to read the Wheel FAQ:

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...74&postcount=3

 

17x8 wheels means it's 17 inches tall and 8 inches wide.
17x9 wheels means it's 17 inches tall and 9 inches wide.

the back spacing is a little harder... the plate where the wheel attaches to the rotor is closer to the inside part of the rim... so you can run a 1/2 inch wider tire then the wheel with 5 inches of back spacing...

does that help? stock offset is 6.25 inches so 4.5 off set would be like having a 1.75 inch wheel spacer...

 

This helps thank you!

If I read right, a 17x8 is better (like when airing down) and haveing 4.50 backspacing will push my wheels out further giving me a slightly wider stance?

 

 

isnt offset different from backspacing?

 

He meant backspace, not offset.

But yes, they are different. Open the FAQ linked above for a decent illustration if you're interested.

 

5.0 may be to much backspacing it may rub. I have 17 x 9 and 4.5 backspacing, on 33's, no rubbing casual driving or turning, and on the trail my tires rub on the plastic fenders, no lift yet.

I have a conversion chart for offset and backspacing on this thread https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/backspacing-vs-offset-grrrr-90926/