I'm looking at the cragar 397 soft 8 black wheel at quadratec. they have 2 kinds.

1- 17x8 with 4.5 backspacing

2- 17x9 with 5 backspacing

I really don't know wich one to buy. Is there one of those that would stick out past the fender more than the other.

I would like to keep the tires inside the fender. I'm looking at getting 285/70/17 tires.

 

if keeping your tires inside the fenders is critical, you'll want the 5" back spacing ones.

 

The offset of a 17x8 with 4.5" backspacing and a 17x9 with 5" is the same, so it's really a wash. It just depends on what width wheel you want to use. I would personally go with the 9" wide wheel. I think it allows for a better tire fit/profile. Good luck.

 

That's what I was thinkin', too. Looks like the wheel is 1" wider and 1/2" is on either side (inside/outside) of wheel when mounted. Seems to me the 5" backspacing wheel would stick out 1/2" further. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Exactly what i was thinking

 

If you're looking at the cragars, you should check out summitracing.com, much cheaper than Quadratec, especially after you include the shipping charges.

Personally, I just bought the Cragar 17x8s, because of the backspacing being 4.5". I'm planning on adding the TeraFlex 2.5 Coil Lift and it says it requires aftermarket wheels with 4.5" bs or less.

Cragars are good wheels, I had them on my old chevy truck too.

 

My plans are for teraflex lift in the future....SO...4.5 - 17x8 it is then...

 

... or you could go with the Pro Comp Series 97 (basically the same wheel, I think) with 3.75" BS. Get those wheel out away from underneath the JK...

 

The wheel will stick out 1/2" further, but the tire will be pretty much in the same place with either wheel. When you are trying to compare how much the tires will stick out, it is easier to think of wheel offset rather than backspace. In this case they are the same offset, so the tire will be in the same spot with either wheel.

 

x2 on the Summit Racing. I'm looking at 15" and it's at least $20 cheaper per rim than anywhere else.