Ok, Ok, I get it, this has been discussed extensively....
But I don't entirely agree that Backspacing is all that matters and I'm pretty sure I have a good grasp of the fundamentals but I'd love some more input before I decide which way to go for sure on both rims as well as tires. Maybe writing it all down here and posting will just help me work it out as well, so thank in advance for listening.
I'm pretty sure I want the Method 701 in black.
The 8.5" wheel has 0 offset and 4.75" backspacing.
The 9" has -12 offset and 4.6" backspacing.
I very much understand the differences, but I do not agree that it's as simple as backspacing and want to do what fits best. I feel the center of the rim is the most important thing as our tires will extend past the edges of that rim.
Right now, I have small ass tires on my rig, long story I mentioned somewhere already, not really important for this discussion, but those tires are 31" and 10.5" wide (I measure them at 11" so using that). I think the stance and positioning of these is absolutely perfect, they are just tiny and I'm not a fan of the 15" wheels, not my thing, although the wheels are kinda cool and once upon a time I was planning on using them.
This wheel above seems to have about a -29 offset from my measurement (3 7/8 backspacing).
So the way I see it, backspacing will only tell you how much room you have to the inside of the rim, which yes, can be important but as long as it's in the right range you're good most likely. That doesn't let you pick what's ideal, which is the best placement of your tire...you need offset for that.
To compare the fit, let's assume the tire I'm going with is EXACTLY 12.5" wide (and 35" which doesn't matter for this). The offset will tell me where the exact center of the rim is and then I know how far from there the tire will protrude in each direction, half of the width. Ok, I did all of this on paper and then found a calculator that does it for me which is good because I messed with the numbers so much and changed my measurements so many times...
If I go with the Method 701 17x8.5" with 0 offset, that makes that 12.5" tire go out 1.36" less than the above 111" wide tire, and in 1.36" more. NOT what I want.
If I go with the Method 701 17x9", which has -12 offset, that moves the center of the wheel outside the Bronco, the wheel is also wider (not very relevant but that does make the backspacing 4.6 instead of 4.75). This one makes my tire go out about 0.65" less and in only .65 more. It's ok on the outside, and def ok on the inside.
Ok, so I realize now that these calcs only give you wheel position and that's why it made no sense. So, add half the additional tire width of 1.5" to each of those sides to come up with where the tire actually ends up.
So on the inside, it will go in 1.4" more (.75+.65) and on the Outside, it will go out 0.1" more (.75-.65). (1.5" total wider tire, check)
Further note that the number is not really 0.65, that calc isn't exact. It's a 17mm shift, which is actually about .67 but close enough.
So when people ask the question, "should I go with a 9" or 8.5" wheel" it's not really an apples to apples answer.
I could be completely wrong on this, so feel free to light it up.
Leaning towards the Nitto Ridge Grappler. I think they look nice, the ratings are pretty good...I am pretty open, but looks are important. Not planning on wheeling my fresh paint job any time soon (hopefully someday) but I don't want a road-looking tire. I want around 35", but is that too much for a 3.5" SL and 1" BL? What's gonna look best and also perform? Am I better off going with a tire that's just slightly more narrow or slightly less tall? Can anyone who's got a combination like this give any input?
Thanks for reading my overly long post.
Ben
But I don't entirely agree that Backspacing is all that matters and I'm pretty sure I have a good grasp of the fundamentals but I'd love some more input before I decide which way to go for sure on both rims as well as tires. Maybe writing it all down here and posting will just help me work it out as well, so thank in advance for listening.
I'm pretty sure I want the Method 701 in black.
The 8.5" wheel has 0 offset and 4.75" backspacing.
The 9" has -12 offset and 4.6" backspacing.
I very much understand the differences, but I do not agree that it's as simple as backspacing and want to do what fits best. I feel the center of the rim is the most important thing as our tires will extend past the edges of that rim.
Right now, I have small ass tires on my rig, long story I mentioned somewhere already, not really important for this discussion, but those tires are 31" and 10.5" wide (I measure them at 11" so using that). I think the stance and positioning of these is absolutely perfect, they are just tiny and I'm not a fan of the 15" wheels, not my thing, although the wheels are kinda cool and once upon a time I was planning on using them.
This wheel above seems to have about a -29 offset from my measurement (3 7/8 backspacing).
So the way I see it, backspacing will only tell you how much room you have to the inside of the rim, which yes, can be important but as long as it's in the right range you're good most likely. That doesn't let you pick what's ideal, which is the best placement of your tire...you need offset for that.
To compare the fit, let's assume the tire I'm going with is EXACTLY 12.5" wide (and 35" which doesn't matter for this). The offset will tell me where the exact center of the rim is and then I know how far from there the tire will protrude in each direction, half of the width. Ok, I did all of this on paper and then found a calculator that does it for me which is good because I messed with the numbers so much and changed my measurements so many times...
If I go with the Method 701 17x8.5" with 0 offset, that makes that 12.5" tire go out 1.36" less than the above 111" wide tire, and in 1.36" more. NOT what I want.
If I go with the Method 701 17x9", which has -12 offset, that moves the center of the wheel outside the Bronco, the wheel is also wider (not very relevant but that does make the backspacing 4.6 instead of 4.75). This one makes my tire go out about 0.65" less and in only .65 more. It's ok on the outside, and def ok on the inside.
Ok, so I realize now that these calcs only give you wheel position and that's why it made no sense. So, add half the additional tire width of 1.5" to each of those sides to come up with where the tire actually ends up.
So on the inside, it will go in 1.4" more (.75+.65) and on the Outside, it will go out 0.1" more (.75-.65). (1.5" total wider tire, check)
Further note that the number is not really 0.65, that calc isn't exact. It's a 17mm shift, which is actually about .67 but close enough.
So when people ask the question, "should I go with a 9" or 8.5" wheel" it's not really an apples to apples answer.
I could be completely wrong on this, so feel free to light it up.
Leaning towards the Nitto Ridge Grappler. I think they look nice, the ratings are pretty good...I am pretty open, but looks are important. Not planning on wheeling my fresh paint job any time soon (hopefully someday) but I don't want a road-looking tire. I want around 35", but is that too much for a 3.5" SL and 1" BL? What's gonna look best and also perform? Am I better off going with a tire that's just slightly more narrow or slightly less tall? Can anyone who's got a combination like this give any input?
Thanks for reading my overly long post.
Ben
