2.5 and backspacing for 35's
 

Thinking about getting wider rims...currently have Toyo 35x12.50's on oem 17" rims 7.5" wide. Looking at moving to 17x8.5 or 9, similar to these Classic Lock II's from SC_05FX4's gallery...

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...591-152662.jpg

I've been seaching and it seems the recommendation is to go with either 4.5, 5, or 5.5" BS with an aftermarket rim. How do you choose which is correct. Again I'm only running a 2.5 AS (which actually netted 3.25" lift measured at the fender flare :fyi:), and 35x12.50x17's, which net out at 34.8" So how do I chose which backspacing would be best?

Ideally I would like to take some of the squish/bow out of the tire inside sidewall, and also move it a slightly outboard, but not so much that they stick out too much...not a fan of that look. Not asking much, am I? :)

If you want to go to a wider aftermarket wheel and keep the 35's you are probably gonna have to lift your truck more. If you go with an 8 inch wide wheel with 5.5 inches of backspacing, they may fit.

Yeah, I see a few 17x8.5 w/5.5 bs rims out there with 315/70's, which is 34.4...I am 34.8 so I'm thinking with some minor trim at the rear (similar to Powerage) it should work. I just also saw some posts with 4.5 and 5" bs so it got confusing :-).

I assume the less bs, the further out the wheel will sit relative to "stock"? Which also brings more fender flare rub into the equation

youve got it right on there- if we want to do aftermarket wheels, we really need to stick with backspacing of around 5-6.5 to manage (which is keeping the wheel under the fender). ..to stick out will require a lift..