I just installed a Daystar leveling kit on our 2013 JKU 4 door. We want to buy a wheel and tire package, but I am confused by the terms hub centric and backspacing. I don't want to get something we will regret, especially considering the cost. The Jeep currently has the 17" stock wheels on it; I am considering going to a 15" or 16" wheel. We really like the Level 8 Strike 5 with Goodyear Duratracs (saw a set on this forum, thanks). I am just looking for clarification about the above two terms. We will do light 'wheeling, southern Utah and local desert. Nothing to extreme. She won't let me hurt her baby! Thanks in advance for any help.

 

In the simplest of terms, hubcentri means the center hole of the wheel is cut to just fit over the wheel hub and not necessarily use the lug bolts to center the wheel, a non-hubcentric wheel uses angled lug bolt shoulders to center the wheel on the hub....IMO, both are OK. Backspacing is the distance from the inner wheel bead seat to the mounting flange face of the wheel. So, for an 8 in wide rim with 4 inch of backspacing, the flange is at the center of the wheel, with 3 inch backspacing it is 1 inch closer to the inner wheel bead seat. Stock JK wheels are at 6.2 inch of backspacing, and to run 35 inch tires, you need only 4.5 inch backspacing to move the tire/wheel farther out and away from the frame to avoid rubbing at full turn. The following site can help you visualize this relationship:
Custom rims, wheel tire packages for your ride - RIMSnTIRES.com

 

Actually 6.0 BS and +44 OS

 

Thanks for the replies. That info helps alot.

 

And most JK owners use a 9 inch wide wheel with 4.5 inches of backspacing. Also, some 15 inch wheels won't fit over our brakes. I'd go with at least a 16 inch wheel.

 

Check with discount tire. They usually know well what fits. For example, they will guarantee the Level 8 Tracker 15" rims will fit with no mods to the jeep. Because of pricing on 15 inch tires, you can probably make up the cost of the wheels compared to the same 17" tires (same height tires).

 

I appreciate the information. I read about Discount Tire Direct on here. Is there a benefit to using that site versus going to a local Discount Tire? There is one right down the street from me I plan on going to; I have purchased tires for several vehicles from them. I'm going to look over their website this morning.