Cragar soft 8 black wheels, 16x8 with 5' of backspacing. I am looking at running BFG Mud Terrains 33x12.5 16 and a Teraflex 2.5" lift. I have an 08 4 door and I want to make sure I wont have any rubbing. Also I read alot about backspacing and 4.5 seems to be the magic number with a 12.5" wide tire. I can only get these wheels in 5" of backspacing will this look all right or do I need wheel spacers and if so what size. Also would a 2.5" lift overkill for 33" tires. Thanks guys and I am working on my first big mod hear so I need all the advice I can get. A pic with this set up would be great also, 16" wheel with 5" of backspacing and 33" tires. Thanks in advance for helping out....

Chris

 

That sounds like a pretty good setup you've got planned. I just put a 2'' BB on my neighbors 2 door, with 33's and I thought that looked just about right. With a 4 door I think the Tera 2.5 would be perfect with 33's.

You should not have any rubbing with that setup.

From a fellow mainer Have fun.

 

From the FAQ on backspacing:


My personal opinion follows;

5" of backspacing is going to pull all that rubber in very close to the tub and suspension components, you might get away with it on level ground, but my edjumacated guess is you may well get some contact if you start stretching it around. I personally wouldnt get 5", judging based on mine, I think that is to much, i would go to 4.75" or less, and 4.75 would be the absolute extreme upper limit i would accept.

My reasons being: I have an R.E. 2" lift. I am running 33x12.5's on my stock rims, My stock rims have 6.25" i added 1.5" Spidertrax spacers so that drops it to 4.75" of backspacing for me. (Effectively no different than an aftermarket wheel with 4.75" of backspacing)

I put the back on a stack of pallets, and lifted the opposite corner of the Jeep with a forklift at full steering lock in both directions, on both sides up so that is was at full stretch on one side and stuffed fully compressed onto the bumpstops on the other.

The rear seems to be fine, close, but fine.
Oh but the front: At full flex up front with the wheels trned that is CLOSE, and i do mean close! there are places i couldnt get my finger squeezed through for clearance i forget exactly where, but IIRC one side was tighter, but for the life of me i cant recall, i did this like a year ago. (I know, i shoulda took pics, flame me now). I would guess if i was aired down and hit an obstacle just right to push the tire, it WOULD rub as it almost does without airing down at all. I havent rubbed or contacted yet as far as i know, but looking at it I wouldn't take the suckers bet that it wouldnt.

What you chose to do is ultimately up to you, but i would chose a different wheel.

 

So other words if I run this set up with 5" of bs then I need to get spacers correct. Can I get .5" spacers or should I go like an inch spacer. Then again I dont want the wheels to be sticking way out beyond the fenders due to the law here in Maine and also I want to avoid rubbing. What is your suggestion.. Thanks
Chris

 

This is close to how it would look. My Cragars have 5" of backspacing plus 1.5" Spidertrax wheel spacers. This pic was when I still had 33's on it and 2.75" lift. The tires are slightly narrower than the ones you want to use, they are 285/75R16. The good part of spacers are you can take them off if you have to get your vehicle inspected. Most cops won't pull you over if it is not excessive.

 

Here are a couple of options:

1. Go to a 285/75R16 tire it is the same hieght but a little narrower so you shouldn't rub and will still be inside the stock flares.
2. Go with a Procomp series 97 wheel, it is very similar to the Cragar Soft 8 but has 4.25" of backspacing http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.as...0&partID=12321

 

Thank you, i was looking for that exact wheel & couldnt remeber who made it, i knew someone did


Edit: Oh, and narrowing the tires up is a good option as well.

 

The only problem with the pro comp wheels is I was trying to keep this project within 1500-1600 dollars with tires wheels and lift. Of course I need 5 wheels and 5 tires so that increases the cost. Thanks for the heads up on the wheels I just may consider them. Now If i went with the pro comp and 4.25" of bs could I still go with the 33 x12.5 or would they stick out to far. If I went with a 285/75 16 tires would I be all right with the cragar 5" of bs.

Chris

 

armycop that is a sweet set up. I hope I can complete this project within my budget and get this done.

Chris

 

With the procomp wheels and 33 x 12.5" tires you will probably stick out beyond the flares about 1". with the 285/75R16 tires on the Cragars with 5" BS you will be about 1/4" inside the flares and should have no rubbing issuses, there are people on here running 285's on the stock 17" wheels with 6.25" BS without rubbing.

Here is mine with a 2" BB with 285/75R16 on 16x8 wheels with 4" BS, I stick out about 3/4" beyond the flares.