baycountry16

From what I have read on here, it is recommended that you have a minimum of 3.75 - 4 inch backspacing to run 31 X 10.5 for rubbing issues. The rims I am looking at are MT Sidebiters 15 X 8 with 3 5/16 backspacing. Does this mean I will be in even better shape with 31's to avoid rubbing because there is less backspacing. Does it also mean that they will stick out pretty far beyond the fender flares? I am a little unsure because I currently have stock 16 X 7 rims with stock tires. Thanks for any info

offroadnut36

the most back spacing you need with 31x10.50's is 4.50". you can even use stock rims with that size. 3 5/16" bs will work but they will stick out a good bit.

baycountry16

Thanks, do you think they will still look good, or will it look awkward having them stick out so far

offroadnut36

it all depends on what you think looks good. Im getting ready to lift my xj 4.5" I have 12.50 wide tires, and rims with 4" of bs, plus im getting axles that are 1" wider than stock. well lets see, my stock tires were 215 wide and that is 8.46" wide. well just go ahead and make that 8.5" wide. So subtract 12.50 from 8.50 and get 4". Divide that by 2(because its 2 inches wider on each side of the tire) and you obviously get 2". Most stock xj wheels have a bs of 5.25", so subtract 5.25 from 4 and get 1.25. divide that by 2 and get .625 which is 5/8". my new axles are 1 inch wider than stock, so .50". add all the answers up and you get 3 1/8". my new tires are gonna stick out 3 1/8" further than my stock tires did. But it all depends on what you like, in my case I love it. but thats ffor you to decide. You build your jeep to what you want it to be, not to what someone else wants it to be.

baycountry16

That is some great info. That should help me figure out how far out my tires would stick. One other question though. I have 225's right now. What does that convert to as far as width? Thanks again.

offroadnut36

1 inch is 25.4 millimeters. 225 is your tires width in millitmeters, so just divide 225mm by 25.4 and you get 8.858" so pretty much a 9" wide tire.

No problem man.

Metlic53

i have the mickey thompson classic lock 15 inch wheels with 5/16 backspacing and they stuck out about 3 inches outside of the factory fender flares, i rubbed those flares off the first off-road trip. trimmed my fenders up a ton! and put some bushwacker flares on it, raised the rear 1.5 inches with some shackles and i only rub when i get in a really bad bind. my tires/wheels are dead even with the bushwackers so they stick out alot! I think it looks BA though! IMO jeeps dont look good unless their a little wider than stock

Metlic53

forgot to say im running 31x10.50 R15 BFG A/T

offroadnut36

you really have 5/16" bs?? holy crap!! Im thinkin you meant to say 3 5/16?

Metlic53

yes i meant to say 3 5/16, didn't realize i left the 3 out

206junglist

I have a set of 33/12.5 goodyear wrangler MT/Rs sitting in my garage. I will be looking for/ purchasing online some rims for these in the next week or so. I am currently running 31/10.5 on stock rims with no rubbing.
Will some 15/8 with 4inch backspacing be good enough for 12.5 inch wide tires? also should I get 8inch or 10 inch rims?
thanks