Introducing O'Billy - our new Type-II Ambulance
- Thread starter mike.marcacci
- Start date
bknudtsen
Expedition Leader
Yeah. That's a typo. 17x9 with a 4.75" BS has a -6mm offset and a 4.5" BS has a -12mm offset.
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And here I thought I might be the only one! Two weeks ago we're checking out the old Cemetery in Vidalia Louisiana over looking the Mississippi River and on that back clay drive the rear sinks in the mud hole and where was the gear; Out back in the mud! Travel is great, thinking ahead sometimes is better!
Great build we're following along.
mike.marcacci
Adventurer
Awesome - thanks Chris!!
Cool, man that was confusing me...
Glad you like it! Are there any good external recovery gear locations that don't get in the way of opening the rear doors from the inside?
mike.marcacci
Adventurer
One more quick question - I am struggling to find 9-inch wide wheels with less that 4.75" of backspace. Would you strongly discourage adding a 5mm or so washer to the front to prevent rubbing in tight turns? It seems intuitive to me that the 8-on-170 would provide enough threads for the lug nuts.
These might do the trick: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pc-1-4-Thi...ash=item4d25725275:g:L0oAAOSwT5tWGDbV&vxp=mtr
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Sheep Shagger
Adventurer
Are you calculating BS correctly? There are tons out there with 4.5 bs (8 on 170) as that's what Ford recommends for the F350.
But depending on tire 4.75 May fit without rubbing.
I would personally recommend against placing anything Inbetween the wheel and disk unless it's 2" spacers on the rear.
Edit. I take that back, last time I looked I was after 17x8 wheels and there are a ton with 4.5bs. Now I'm looking at 18x9 and there are also a ton with 4.5bs, but I just had a quick search for 17x9 and most seen to be 4.75bs.
But depending on tire 4.75 May fit without rubbing.
I would personally recommend against placing anything Inbetween the wheel and disk unless it's 2" spacers on the rear.
Edit. I take that back, last time I looked I was after 17x8 wheels and there are a ton with 4.5bs. Now I'm looking at 18x9 and there are also a ton with 4.5bs, but I just had a quick search for 17x9 and most seen to be 4.75bs.
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mike.marcacci
Adventurer
OK, so... it might be too late for me... 
I spec'd those wheels & tires some time ago like an idiot before I had considered that backspace could be a problem, and at least the wheels have already been shipped. Seeing as I'm pretty sold on the 305/70R tire, I definitely need 9" rims, but my decision for the 17" diameter was really arbitrary... of only I had picked 18".
So, do I try to return the wheels/tires? Blah... wish I'd asked earlier!
I guess my options are:
1. keep everything and add 0.25" spacers
2. keep everything and lock out my steering (yuck)
3. keep the tires; find some better-fitting 17" wheels
4. swap everything out and go with 18"x9" wheels which are easy to find with a 4.5" backspace
I spec'd those wheels & tires some time ago like an idiot before I had considered that backspace could be a problem, and at least the wheels have already been shipped. Seeing as I'm pretty sold on the 305/70R tire, I definitely need 9" rims, but my decision for the 17" diameter was really arbitrary... of only I had picked 18".
So, do I try to return the wheels/tires? Blah... wish I'd asked earlier!
I guess my options are:
1. keep everything and add 0.25" spacers
2. keep everything and lock out my steering (yuck)
3. keep the tires; find some better-fitting 17" wheels
4. swap everything out and go with 18"x9" wheels which are easy to find with a 4.5" backspace
Corneilius
Adventurer
These are what I ordered. Cant remember if you were set on alloy wheels or not. The steel wheels are heavier, but once you factor in the weight of the tire, the difference with my wheel/tire combo was only %12. I had to buy 5 on a budget so I went with these and love them.
TL: DR 17x9 with 4.5" BS
http://www.jegs.com/i/Black-Rock/262/942798145/10002/-1
TL: DR 17x9 with 4.5" BShttp://www.jegs.com/i/Black-Rock/262/942798145/10002/-1
Sheep Shagger
Adventurer
OK, so... it might be too late for me...
I spec'd those wheels & tires some time ago like an idiot before I had considered that backspace could be a problem, and at least the wheels have already been shipped. Seeing as I'm pretty sold on the 305/70R tire, I definitely need 9" rims, but my decision for the 17" diameter was really arbitrary... of only I had picked 18".
So, do I try to return the wheels/tires? Blah... wish I'd asked earlier!
I guess my options are:
1. keep everything and add 0.25" spacers
2. keep everything and lock out my steering (yuck)
3. keep the tires; find some better-fitting 17" wheels
4. swap everything out and go with 18"x9" wheels which are easy to find with a 4.5" backspace
Using willtheyfit.com it looks like your wheels will put the tire about 7mm closer to the suspension than my setup, I have 10mm gap on mine (full lock to tire hitting suspension). I have a Quigly and always thought that Chris / Ujoint had more space back there as the leaf is inline with the frame and the Quigly control arms stick out from the frame. So going by that I think they may just fit. But I could well have missed a critical piece of information. Chris will know for sure.
Ive had 16/17 & 20" rims on my van in different widths, all around 33" tires. they have all had strength and weakness and I think 18 will be perfect for me in how I use the van.
20x8.5 was absolutely great on road and fire roads, sand, but sucked anything off-road. 17x8 is crap onroad, but good everywhere else (although you need to airdown a lot more frequently). So I'm hoping 18 x 8.5 or 9 will be a nice mix. But it seems I'm in the minority not many people use 18's on the van. (Although its popular on the truck) So with all that, take the 18" recommendations with a grain of salt, and try the 17s you have as that's seems to be the preferred choice if you are running 33~34" tires.
mike.marcacci
Adventurer
Thanks so much for the quick replies -
These would definitely work, and have the right backspace...
I guess since my initial setup is already on its way over I'll give them a go and feel how it drives. I'll order the spacers too and see how bad they sketch me out. This could end up being an expensive mistake, but I guess I might as well try everything I already ordered.
Ya, Chris said that 4.5 is the max backspace that won't rub on lock-out... I'm beginning to think that 18" really would have been a better choice for me.
These would definitely work, and have the right backspace...
I guess since my initial setup is already on its way over I'll give them a go and feel how it drives. I'll order the spacers too and see how bad they sketch me out. This could end up being an expensive mistake, but I guess I might as well try everything I already ordered.
Corneilius
Adventurer
FWIW I ran .25" spacers on the front of my trail rig for years to clear the 1 ton Tie Rod ends. Never had a problem. It weighs half as much as your van but gets driven pretty hard.
mike.marcacci
Adventurer
That's really encouraging actually, I think I'll start with these and see what happens
bknudtsen
Expedition Leader
4.75" BS may rub the tiniest bit depending on how pronounced the side lugs are on your tires. 305/70R17's aren't quite even 34" tall and under 12.5" wide, so I think you will be just fine. Don't use spacers. If you get some rub and it bugs you, add little to the steering stop.
mike.marcacci
Adventurer
Good to know - that sounds like a much more robust solution especially if it just barely rubs. I'll start there.
Thanks so much everybody for all the help here! I'll post an update as soon as I get them on the van!
