Will 4.57 backspacing work with 1 Ton steering Kit?

Thirty7s

Thirty7s

New member
Hi everyone,

I'm new to Jeeps but not new to offroading and building rigs and hot rods. I'm currently building up my (new to me) '17 JKU Rubicon and installing a new Clayton 3.5 lift, ball joints, C-gussets, axle u-joints, driveshaft etc. While I'm at it I want to install a 1 ton steering kit (tie rod and drag link). Most of them that I look at require a wheel with a backspacing of 4.5" in order to clear the heavy duty tie rod ends, except the Metalcloak kit which will work with OEM BS wheels. I like the Metalcloak kit, but I refuse to allow any gold or bronze colors on my rig, LOL.

From my research, wheels with less than 4.5" of BS are somewhat limited, unless I go with a true beadlock rim.

My top choice for wheels are the Method Racing 703 Bead Grip and they are available in a 4.57" BS.

So my question is, will 4.57 clear the heavy duty tie rods on a 1-ton tie rod? How much wiggle room is available when these kits require "minimum 4.5" of BS"?

Just want to get some input from those of you who are running a setup similar to this and what issues (if any) have you encountered.

Thank you for any input
 
I think it will be fine. At the very least if it does make any contact, (doubt it at 0.07 inches further in) you can adjust your steer stops, add wheel spacers, or get beadlocks down the line.
 
A less backspaced wheel is pushing it out and away from the vehicle and away from the knuckle. The reason for the backspacing requirements is because most 1-ton kits use a standard offset joint off of the knuckle which can put the joint right into the wheel or at least extremely tight. So the offset of the wheel is needed to clear the joint.

If you have the 17(diameter)x9(width) with -12 offset, then that would equate to 4.5" backspacing so you will be fine.

I'll also add that a JK 3.5" lift also needs the backspacing to clear the rear swaybar links.
 
Last edited:
DirtHeadDavis said:
I think it will be fine. At the very least if it does make any contact, (doubt it at 0.07 inches further in) you can adjust your steer stops, add wheel spacers, or get beadlocks down the line.
Click to expand...
Thanks DirtHead, I didn't think about adjusting the steer stops.
 
Disciple Off Road said:
A less backspaced wheel is pushing it out and away from the vehicle and away from the knuckle. The reason for the backspacing requirements is because most 1-ton kits use a standard offset joint off of the knuckle which can put the joint right into the wheel or at least extremely tight. So the offset of the wheel is needed to clear the joint.

If you have the 17(diameter)x9(width) with -12 offset, then that would equate to 4.5" backspacing so you will be fine.

I'll also add that a JK 3.5" lift also needs the backspacing to clear the rear swaybar links.
Click to expand...
Thanks Disciple, that makes perfect sense!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom