Wheels (& Offset) Question
 

I've done a bunch of searches, but the info has only confused me, so I'm hoping someone can quickly help me out here? I'm looking to get some new wheels to go with some new tires (I don't want to mess up the stockers so I can easily turn it in after lease). So, these look decent and they're cheap:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fin...rw=8&rc=TXAINT

They have 0 offset? Will that work? How much will they stick out? I'm thinking of either 295/75/16 or 315/75/16 for tires.

Thanks in advance.

Yes - I just installed 16x8 (XD Wheels) with 0 offset and 4.5" backspacing... You will have approximatley 1.5" of tire extention outside fenders... I will post pictures later.

Pictures are posted in photo Gallery ("H3") of 16 x 8 wheels with 4.5 inch back spacing and 0 offset. Stock OEM H3 wheels are 16 x 7.5 with 38 mm (1.5") offset and approximately 6.0 inch backspacing...

Thanks for the info. H3 looks good. What tires did you go with?

The tires in the pictures are the stock 285/75/16 Bridgstone Duelers which are included with the H3 adventure package - Still have another 15,000 on tread... When replacement time does arrive I intend to buy one of the following tires in 295/75/16 - BFG AT/KO or Nitto Terra Grappler or Hankook MT's...

I've ordered some of the Hankook MT's in 295/75/16 - now I just need to decide if I want to throw them on the stock rims or order some new ones. Anyone know if I can just get some spacers to push the stock rims out a bit?

Sure you can... Why do you want to "push" them out?

It seems like it would help me trek through a few tight passes at the local offroad park. The wider I am, the more I can straddle the ravines or whatever they are and the less likely I am to mess up the sides of my vehicles.

While wider is more stable, there are two things there are two potential downsides to less back spacing.

One is that in often decrease the clearance between the tire and rear of the front fender well when turned hard. You can turn the wheel and see if it can move out an inch without hitting anything.

The second issue is it can increase bump steer. I doubt that will be a real big problem on an H3, but you will notice it. The wheel now applies a torque on the spindle when you hit a bump which will be felt.

Frank

In addition to "elripsters" comments, you will also place additional stress on the lugs and reduce your mileage and tire noise when using spacers to extend the tires more outside the wheel wells... Regardless, if I could have located some after-market wheels that I liked with the same offset/backspacing as OEM I would have bought them... Since you intend to go with 295/75/16 tires I would just let em ride where they sit...

Take care,

Justin