this any better? I measured from where the backface of the wheel would touch the hub. there was no higher point I could have measured from.

 

Wow! I don't know what the deal is then. For over a decade, everyone has been coming up with 4.5 inches of backspacing. That's what my OEM wheels on my 2001 had anyway, but they were 16's.

 

Well I'm glad I cleared it up! Hopefully others will see this if the question ever comes up.

 

you're suppose to measure the back spacing from the inside just like you are doing but not going to the very outside of the rim, but rather .5" lower where the tire sits in the bead? this would give you the 4.5" backspacing. this is how it is shown on the first post at the top and that is also how i measured my stock rims on my 2003 when i ordered my rims.

wandell you are correct

 

since when.. google it and look at every picture there is. every diagram every site that I have found says that I was right.