Please, educate me. I'm a newb when it comes to rims. I still haven't quite grasped what backspacing is yet. I'll have to wikipedia it again.

 

Backspacing is the distance that the back side flange sits inside the wheel's mounting surface. You keep this in mind to avoid contact between your wheel/tire and things like control arms, "sway bars", outer tierod ends, and inner fender contours.

FWD vs RWD used to mean a large difference in offset, or where the wheel mounting surface is relative to the midpoint of the wheel's width. It's related to backspacing, but can give you a better idea about clearance on the outside and whether you might need to roll the whellwell lips or do more extensive sheetmetal mods. But on most of the newer cars, the offset for RWD cars isn't much different from the FWD ones.


Norm

 

Thank you norm, you have been very helpful.

Now, does anybody know how I can know if a rim is made for FWD or RWD when I'm looking on CL? I really only need them to roll the car around my shop for now.

 

 

WOW! pics are worth 1,000 words. thanks....now, that said....will -39 backspaced fit my mustang? please say yes

 

You can tell if it is a FWD or RWD rim with a quick google search. Most people on craigslist probably will not specify which it is. But if it's a rim you see is made for basically any import like honda etc. it is a front wheel rim. I have a I6 66 Mustang and I found it very difficult to find rims that would fit it and for RWD application. They are out there but the VERY minimal selection I found did not appeal to me. That's why I've gone with the styled steel wheel hubcap application. A free plug to CJ Pony parts, they carry them and that is where I'm ordering mine from, but other places sell them. I did some searching online they all seem to be priced the same. Hope that helps.

 

If I were putting aluminum wheels on a 6, I'd use these:

 

Hmmm, yeah Tad explained hwo they won't work on my car. Damn...I guess I'll just keep my gloss black steelies for now and upgrade the whole rear end later.


Yeah. I've seen those ones before, and they just don't do anyting for me...