back spaceing on rims

[newfie]

since someone stole my wheels
i now have to get new ones. But have no ( ) clue on how to  figure out the back spaceing i need
 how do i figure this out and please make it as easy that a 4 yr old could understand
thanks J

[Raspberry]

So on a rim, when bolted onto the vehicle, you have an inside edge and an outside edge (looking at it from the front of the vehicle).
The backspacing is simply the distance between the inside edge of the rim, and the part of the rim that bolts to your hub, typically measured in inches.

The LESS backspacing on a given rim, the MORE your tire protrudes from the vehicle's wheel wells. With larger-than-stock tires, you will want a smaller backspacing to avoid the tires rubbing on control arms or springs, etc.

The most common backspacing I see on after-market 4x4 rims is 3.75", which is often more than enough considering your stock rims' backspacing are usually upwards of 5".

Does this help?

[w squared]

Tell us what size of tire (width) and what type of jeep. Someone can probably tell you exactly what sort of backspacing you will need.

[newfie]

ok so when looking for something after maket
i want something  with a 3.75 or 4 inch  back spaceing to kick the tire outside the jeep
 cool thanks

[newfie]

got a 2000 tj with a 4.5 lift and  fender flares

thinking of a set of 35 's       12.5        maybe a 15 or 16 r

[morerpmfred]

Narrow is easier on unit bearings. This is what i have 15 by 8 with a 3 3/4 backspacing on 33 by 12.5 r15 tires. stock is probably 15 by 7 with 5 to 5 1/4 backspacing. With stock rims it will rub on the frame when at full turn and suspension cycles.

[Jrama]

I'd go with a 16" rim or 17", way more options in terms of available tire size and way more used tires are available for the larger rim diameters. The 15" rim is  becoming more and more rare

[Raspberry]

I'd go with a 16" rim or 17", way more options in terms of available tire size and way more used tires are available for the larger rim diameters. The 15" rim is  becoming more and more rare

I would disagree with you there, especially for the 16" rim size anyway. Certainly tires for 15's and 17's seem to be more common, and cheaper to buy too.

[morerpmfred]

Old school thinking on this. Higher diameter tire and rim combo equals more rotating mass than small diameter rim and tire combo which is easier on unit bearings. i.e 33  tire on 17 rim vs 33 tire on 15 inch rim