Moving to a Metal Cloak GC 3.5" ARB edition. I have Ace flat fenders. I am moving to 37s with a 17" wheel. I can't find anything around a 4" BS or less and when I called MC they said I should try and be at 3.5 BS. Beadlocks are NOT in the budget or the maintenance commitment needed from me. So my question is, what BS do I really need? Can I get away with 4.5 or 4.75? I like the Method NVs but would prefer some totally black wheels with some good BS. When I've mentioned Metal Cloak telling me I need 3.5 BS to other vendors they look at me cross-eyed. Please don't recommend bead locks. Looking for the right wheel. Help!

 

Run a 5" or 4.75" wheel with a 1.5" wheel spacer.
Been running a 4.5" bs wheel with a 1.5" spacer for about 18 months

 

^^^ this

 

I ran Spydertrax wheel spacers on my stock wheels for about a year, but its obviously less than ideal. I'm seriously considering it, but I would prefer a straight wheel with no spacer.

 

I don't think anyone makes a non beadlock wheel with 3.5" back spacing except interco. Pick a wheel you like and run spacers.

 

I have MC coils and arms on 17x9 ATX Slots with 37" MTRs. The wheels have 4" BS. I am able to run 2" of bump stop. I have pretty significant frame rub in the front at full stuff and turn. I will be upgrading to beadlocks very soon and will be getting 3.5" BS.

Running more bump stop and reducing turning (washers on the stops) will help this rub with higher back spaced wheels. For a very short time I ran this way with 4.75" of BS (stock wheels and spacers).

 

Are you running 2 inch bumpstops in the rear? Do you rub your fender well at full flex at all with only 2 inches?

 

Same here. I had 3.5" back space beadlocks with the same amount of bump and I still rubbed my frame and grill in the front. Not bad, but enough that the paint is gone.

 

You probably want to do a little trimming on the wheel well, especially the back part (which is good anyway as it removes that ugly right angle corner. I have a picture somewhere of it at full stuff. Found it. The top of the well is fine, it's the front and back that's needs some love. But you don't have to cut into the seam, so just some paint and you're good.

 

No, I did have to trim both the front and rear pinch seams though. (I have Poison Spyder Flares)