I was starting a search to help me with my wheel backspacking questions and there are so many active threads that I thought, "I've just got to have one of my own!". So anyway, what's the stock backspacing for a 97 taco (I'm unsure what gen 4runner that translates to), and if I go from the stock 15x7 wheel up to a 15x8, should I maintain the stock backspacing or change it? And if I should change it, how much, just 1/2 of an inch?

BTW, in the short term I would probably mount my 31.5x10.5tires, with semi long term goal (a month or two) of going to 32.5x11.5 (which I know you can run on 15x7's, since bajataco does it, but I just want some new wheels I figure I should grab the little bit of extra width while i'm at it)

stank you,
Ian

 

Follow up question...
If I go from alloy wheels (stock) to steel wheels, Will I need to change my tire rotation pattern to work in my spare? I ask, because if I do, then I will buy a five wheels instead if four to keep things cool and the gang.

 

A 15x8 wheel with 4.25-4.50 backspacing would likely be ideal. That's seems to be the most popular number with us "16'ers". If you want to run a 5 tire rotation I'd say yes, get 5 wheels and 5 tires. If not, just get 4 and rotate them normally.

 

thanks, the guy at 4wheelparts (free shipping this weekend and no sales tax, ) was trying to get me to go for the 3.75 BS, said that was what most people got, but I figure that's sacrificing actual toughness in the steering system just to look tougher ; no thanks. He said I'd end up rubbing with 33's, but I'm not headed there for while.

So 15x8 black rockcrawler series 97's are on the way. I'll be sure and post pics when they get on.

 

Followup, w/out pics. So I was expecting to receive my wheels today or tomorrow, but had not yet gotten the promised UPS tracking number from 4wheelparts. So I callled them to see when I should expect my order. Answer; sometime in January. Turns out the wheels were backordered until then. Would have been nice if someone could have told me within the almost ten days since I ordered....Interestingly enough, the guy I talked to told me that my series 87's were gonna be late, I mentioned that I had ordered 97's. Well, apparently those don't fit, so they had changed my order. I appreciate their looking out for me, but again, it would have been cool if someone could have told me A: wrong fit, and B:we're gonna send something else.

Anywho, I cancelled my order. Puts two hundered odd bucks back in checking and leaves me to think about painting my stock alloys for now....

Live and learn.