Wheel Offset Advice

[wiwaxy500]

Hi all,

Need some advice on which wheel offset to go with. My brother just took delivery of a new 2015 TE (Black), For now, it will be a pavement princess, but it can't look like a soccer taxi. So he wants to put black wheels and AT tires on it.
The wheels he really wants are the BMF DRT Stealth and the tires he likes are the BFG KO's. He might go to the KO2's, but he wants to be as tall and wide as possible. However, anything involving removing parts, using a grinder or BFH is a non-starter. Even the trick of pushing the fender liner out at the front could be a stretch (it's his first new, new vehicle). So those are the parameters.

The wheels are 17X8.5 and the offset choices are 6mm (5.00" BS) and -6mm (4.5" BS). My first thought was to go with the negative offset for the wider stance and frame clearance. But it sounds like the bigger issue is rubbing on the mud flaps and fender liner when turning, and that an outboard offset could make this worse.

So, assuming that a 285/70/17 tire will probably rub on stock wheels, will the wider wheel guarantee rubbing, regardless of offset? And if a 275/70/17 should be good on the stock wheels, will the -6mm create a problem?

I welcome any thoughts and opinions.

Thanks
Martin

 

[Engineer]

My money says the 285s rub, not sure on the 275s with different offset wheels. You make no mention of a lift?

 

[dhylander]

Hi all,


So, assuming that a 285/70/17 tire will probably rub on stock wheels, will the wider wheel guarantee rubbing, regardless of offset? And if a 275/70/17 should be good on the stock wheels, will the -6mm create a problem?

I welcome any thoughts and opinions.

Thanks
Martin

I'm running 17x8 wheels with a 0 offset, and 265/70/17 Cooper AT3 tires. These are about 1/16" away from the front fender liner when the wheels are turned. Just a reference point for you.

 

[wiwaxy500]

No plans for lift or leveling. Maybe when the warranty runs out :-D

 

[wiwaxy500]

I'm running 17x8 wheels with a 0 offset, and 265/70/17 Cooper AT3 tires. These are about 1/16" away from the front fender liner when the wheels are turned. Just a reference point for you.

Thanks, really appreciate that info.

 

[3wbdriver]

I have 265/70-17 A/T's on 17x8 (4.5 bs) wheels. Even with that set up and only a mild 1.75" leveling lift I had a slight rub in reverse at full right steering. Without the mild lift it would have been worse. Any wider wheel or taller tire is going to make it probable. The front fender fix is truly a 10 - 15 minute per side, easy fix. If he wants the aggressive look he is probably looking at having to do at least that.

And I think he may have trouble with clearance on the struts if he goes with the 5" offset. The factory TE wheels have a 4.75" offset and I think that's about as deep as you can go.

 

[wfo9]

Honestly, at his current requirements of not even pushing the fender liner forward with no lift..., he probably needs to simply stay with stock sizes...

It seems like the most ideal offset is 17x8" with a 0 offset (this keeps the 4.5" BS, but provides a slightly wider stance). Probably going to need to stick with a 265/70. Some brands of tire will rub, others won't.