Need explanation of wheel backspacing

Need to know is wheel backspace the measurment from the back edge of rim to wheel mount surface. Then total rim width minus backspace = WMS to outside rim. Am I doing this right?

Planning on 17 x 8 wheels front and back.
Stock wms of around 56 1/2.( I can modify this)
What size tire can be used without modifying rear fender lip.
What backspace can be used with stock placement of leaf springs

What have others done with 17" wheels

 

To measure wheel back-spacing...Lay the wheel face down,now lay a straight edge across the wheel.Working over the center of the wheel,measure from the straight edge to the center of the lug bolt pattern.....that measurement is the wheels backspacing.

 

Thanks Hotrod, Is that measurment to the wheel mount surface

 

To find out what tire size you can use depends on if you are lowering the car or not. 17 inch wheels on a stock suspension car that came with 14's or 15's, the 17's will raise the car up some. Maybe not a lot though. I have seen pics with 245/45 & 235/45. If lowered like me, you can put 225/45 or 245/40 in the front. The rear stay around 255/45 or 245/45. All of these sizes will fit a 8 inch wheel. Also try MaverickMan web site, he has posted more info on rim & tire sizes.

 

just by putting 17's on doesnt mean that it will raise the car, it all depends on your tire diameter.

I would post my tire sizes but its been so many years I cant remember exactly... will have to look later

 

Yes...the hub side

 

You are right. I forgot I have those little very low profile tires 225/45. But that 18 with 295/35 in the rear raised it up a bit.

 

rim of 17" will raise the car compared to a 14" rim, if you are using the same tire dimensions. the reason for the low profile tires is so that people can put a larger diameter rim in the same area as a stock tire would have been..

and a low profile tire on a maverick... hmm.. not sure.. but i would think with a stock suspension it would be a very rough ride.. and feeling all the little bumps... would be teeth jarring..

personally.. i prefer a big meaty tire... but thats me...

 

I agree with Stmanser. If your going with very small tires than the suspension will need to be beefed up & not stock. Plus the tire size needs to match the ride hieght of the car. I posted some pics under "the cost of mini tube" tittle. Do a search for it. The rims are 17x8 & 18x10 and it's lowered 3 inches all around.

 

I dont have o-rings on ours,..but our suspension isnt stock either, so how it may ride on stock underpinnings I couldnt say. I've had 17's on it for 11 years now. 255/40's


yes, match the tire size to what your desired stance will be.

 

I refer back to my previous statement...."depends on tire diameter"

 

from looking at his photos he's already got coil overs and tube arms which is better then what all of us have combined. so i don't think he's gotta worry about the ride

as far as stance i also would have faith in him that that would be right too hense seeing what he has done already.

my suggestion L50watts

for front 17x7 with 4 inch rear spacing with a 245/40-17 remember if you have aftermarket spindels / hubs you will have to check your spacing on the out side since most likely the the aftermarket suff will bring the front wheel out further.

for rear 17x8 or x9 with 4 inch rear spacing with anything between a 255 to 285 -40 to 35 series but have fun finding a tire size also keeping in mind your using a stock rim.. if your not.. well have fun with 10 million people giving you 20 million differant answers. that you'll have to figure out yourself.

i know some people will say 4x1/4 but "most" (not all) larger rims with true 17 or 18s face (non stepped Rim ie: most Centerlines, AE torque thrust II are not true 17s the dish is stepped to make a smaller faced rims a larger rim.) come in x4 x4.5 x5, 5.5 x6 etc.

IMO i wouldn't worry about the ride... i had 16s on my car for 13 years with 45 series tires and drove the car every day.. i thought it was fine. personally i think anyone who things a maverick rides like a charm with even stock 14inch rims with 75 series tires hasn't driven in a decent new car now thats a good ride.

 

Maverick Man, Thanks for all the info. Lots of things to figure out. Just trying to plan ahead.

Another thing that plays into this is that I'm going to be ordering a new 9" rear w/ disc brake set up. Any suggestions on brand and width would be appreciated. I dont want to re-locate the springs. Alot of things to come together as one! Thinking of gears in the 3.70s range. Will be a driver, drags once in a while. 320 to 430 hp range. 5 spd

Thanks, Robert Watts

 

wilwood has a rear kit for a 9 incher and parking brake as well