What is the "best" backspacing for a truck that is just leveled out?

 

It depends on what size tires you are running and how far you want them to stick out. On our trucks it is best to stay arond 5-5.25 inches of backspacing. That seems to keep the tire from hitting the fender and also keeps it off the upper control arm.

 

my intention is to run a 315 or 35x12.5

 

ok, here's what i want to run.

moto metal 957 matte black

Size: 17 x 9
Bolt Circle: 8x6.50
Offset: -12mm

but the back spacing is only 4.5"...

that's not going to work right? I need more like 5-5.5" right?

 

Probably 5.5"-6"

 

oddly enough i've found several more rims with about that same offset and backspacing on a 17x9 that are being selected by the "search by vehicle" searches on wheel sites.

thoughts?

 

no thoughts from anyone? am I going to have to find out the hard way?

 

I was able to clear 35 x 12.50 x 17 bfg mt on procomp wheels 17x9 with 4.75 inches of backspacing with 2in leveling kit. It would barely rub the wheelwell liner when turned to an exact spot and truck is off camber. So I would say around 5" for no problems at all.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the input sir!

 

great input. i wanna run the moto metal 957 17"by9" on a tire about 305/65r17 or so. will it work on my stock 2004.5 ram diesel 2500?stock height?

 

H2's look just right IMO, I'm putting my 35's on them and leveling the front.
I don't like when the tires stick way out past the fenders.

 

Wouldn't the smaller backspace offset the load center thus changing the load seen by the bearings and causing additional wear?

 

I've got Moto Metal 950s with Pro-Comp 35x12.5s. When new the rear inside of the tire would hit the rear lip of the fender when turned just right when entering driveways. No more now that the the tire's are worn 30k worth. The MM wheels don't seem to come in alternate backspacings that I could find. The dealer did me the favor of pre-installing these on the truck before I bought it.

Of greater angst to me is the tires sticking 1.5-2 inches or so out of the wheel wells and throwing crap all over the side of the truck. There isn't enough clearance between tire and front fender (see above) to put flares on. also, with the tires sticking so far out, the scrub radius is increased which means that there's a big load on the steering box to turn the tires. I don't even consider turning the steering wheel unless the truck is moving.

So, definitely get your backspacing figured out. 5-5.25 should do it, but get the tire shop to agree to work with you on the right wheels and not charge you for trying alternate configurations until you're happy.

BTW, the MM 950s, anyway, have cheap plastic center caps. I've broken off the tabs on two of them while carefully working to remove the caps. They're $35 or so to replace. Something to consider.

 

yes. also makes steering system work harder. that's the price you pay to mod stuff.

 

5.5"-6" backspacing on an 8.5"-9" wide wheel will give you the most options with tire selection. I recommend you avoid wheels wider than 9" and with less than 5.5" backspacing.