16" Wheels, Backspacing, and Spacers

Hi All...

I posted something on an old 16" wheel thread and then realized after the fact that it was a thread in the restoration section.

Since my question wasn't restoration-related, I don't really expect an answer over there.

I currently have 15" tires and rims on my jeep, and would like to "upgrade" to 16" rims to re-use some nearly-new tires on a truck that will be going to the crusher.

My connundrum in a nutshell is that I can't seem to find any 16" wheels with a 5-on-5.5 bolt pattern with the same width (7" or 8") and the same backspacing (3.5"). The current tires are the same size as the new tires, although an inch taller (really 30" instead of 29.2") but the width is the same.

My current rims give me just enough clearance to miss the suspension and such at full lock and full articulation, but I will be upgrading to a more flexy suspension (currently have the 13-leaf heavy-duty stock springs on the front) and I want to be certain I still have enough clearance.

All the tires I find in a 16x7 or 16x8 with the correct bolt pattern have a 4" or 4.5" backspacing, which will certainly put tires in contact with suspension and such.

Has anyone here run any spacers on their setup? I've always been adverse to running spacers because they are typically made of softer aluminum (softer than the steel at least) and because it puts the stress further out on the lugs.

My only alternative at this point is to have a set of steel wheels custom made for the jeep, and this may not be the cheapest solution.

I'd like to see my overall backspacing reduced to 3", that way the tires will stick out a little further, and I'll get a little extra clearance on the inside. I could accomplish this with a 1" spacer and the 4" BS rims I'm looking at, or by having the custom rims assembled at a 3" BS.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

 

Mike,

True, you make a good point.

However, the old tires are weathered so much now that I wouldn't use them (they need replacement anyhow) and the tires from the truck are practically brand new with only about 8-10k of use on them... Plus they are 10-ply.

If I have on one hand a new set of tires, or on the other hand a new set of rims, and if they both balance out in price, I can see your logic. However, these aren't $50 tires, and considering I can get rims for them for $50, plus $20 for a spacer, I'd probably go that route- it's still cheaper than buying these same tires in a 15" (not to mention losing the investment I made on the truck's tires).

I reckon I could find someone to buy the tires used, but even still I wouldn't make anywhere near what they're worth new...

Maybe I should call up the folks who make the custom steelies and see how much it'd cost to get a set made up. If it's comparable to the alternatives, I'll probably go that route.

 

Stockton Wheel will make them for you. Bring $$$$$.

 

Just talked to stockton, they'll make up a set of 16x8 powdercoated w/ 5 on 5.5 & a 3.00 or 3.25 backspace for $115/ea.

Still more than I'd like to spend, but cheaper than some of the pre-fab wheels I've seen so far.

Still looks like the $47 US Wheel with spacers will be the cheapest bet...

I really don't like the idea of running spacers, so maybe I'll find a used tire shop to buy the tires off the truck... :sigh:

 

i no this is a old post but ill hit u with a idea ive got a dodge 1500 97 its got from the factory 16in 5on 5.5 rims i was putting on some breaks an had 1 of my old jeep rim laying there so i tried it it fit perfict