[arcteryx23]

I currently have stock jeep rims, 15x7.0, but want to get a set of steel rims and eventually upgrade my tires from stock, P225/75R15, to 31” tires, probably 31x10.5 since they seem to be a common size.

So I have two questions.
1) If I get an 8” wide rim can I put my stock tires on them so I can wear them down before I get new 31” tires?
2) What kind of back spacing should I get? I think the stocks are something like 5.5”. Is there any reason to go smaller? Perhaps to get a wider base or to look sharper?

These are the rims I am looking at…let me know what you think.

http://www.quadratec.com/cgi-bin/sgsh0101.exe?SKW=92601&HKW=SERIES+397+BLACK+SOFT+8 &PAGLEN=10&FNM=00&checked=Y

[Wheelin98TJ]

1. Yes. Or just sell your stockers now and put that $ towards the 31s.

2. Go with 4.5" of b.s. or less. This gives you the option of running 12.50 wide tires if you ever desire to.

Less backspacing pushes the wheel outwards. This gives you more room to mount up wider tires.

It also increases the track width which increases stability.

Some people prefer the tires sticking out look... others do not. Its a matter of personal opinion.

Also, by running less b.s. you can keep your existing turning radius. With 31x10.50 on stock b.s. wheels, you need to add washers under the steering stops to prevent rubbing, which decreases your turning radius.

[Torquemeister]

When I went to 31X10.5 tires I went with 15X8 wheels with 4.5" B.S.

[Rocky529]

Originally Posted by Torquemeister

When I went to 31X10.5 tires I went with 15X8 wheels with 4.5" B.S.

Ideal set-up with 10.5" tires.

[arcteryx23]

Great guys (maybe girsl) Thanks for the input.

[MCanavan]

Ant reason you want the steelies other than looks? You can run 31x10.5 tires on the stock 15x7 wheels and it would save you $100-$150. I'd say sell the stocks now while you can get some money (not much) and buy some 31x10.50s.

[arcteryx23]

I like the look of the black wheels much better...plus most of my offroading is up over mall curbs and highway medians I want something I don't have to worry about damaging too much and that can be easily fixed. Thoughts?

[MCanavan]

Originally Posted by arcteryx23

I like the look of the black wheels much better...plus most of my offroading is up over mall curbs and highway medians I want something I don't have to worry about damaging too much and that can be easily fixed. Thoughts?

I'd say just run the wheels you have now until they need to be replaced and send the money on some sort of lift (like a RE BB). Buy new 31s and get a 2" lift of so and you should be set. I like the phrase "if it ain't broke, why spend money on it?"

[arcteryx23]

Still struggling on what to get. Will a 4.5" backspacing push my wheel past my flares. I think the stock wheels I have are 15x7 5.5 backspacing? Can anyone confirm this for sure. I have the ecco wheel group, 15X7. If I do go with 15x8 with 4.5 backspacing won't this push my wheels out 2 inches? Stupid quesiton, but is that a lot? Also, if the largest tire i get is a 31x10.5 (no plans to lift right now), should I get a 15X7 or 15X8? Will the 15x8 make the 31" run lower...less height? I want to run my stock tires on these wheels till I run em down as well so they need to fit as well. Any thoughts?

[LilSteve97TJ]

ya i just put some 31x10.50 bfg all terrains and there decent but my scratched up silver and black stock rims take away from the beauty of them and im clueless about this backspacing thing....