Understanding wheel offset

Hello 4Runner friends,

I am having trouble understanding the difference between positive and negative offset. I am going to be purchasing the Fuel Offroad Vector for my SR5 and the options are -6mm and 7mm. Could someone help me with the difference in looks and performance with these two options?

Link to wheel: https://realtruck.com/p/fuel-matte-black-vector-wheels/ful-d57917858345/

Thanks!

 

I don't fully get it... but this video makes it easier...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-S5Qicb31Y

 

I just know that in the Jeep world, no one pays any attention to offset. The critical things are wheel width & backspacing. Can't say why offset comes up so much in Toyotaland.

@La Flama Blanca, on your wheel page you might notice that if you select the -6mm offset, the backspacing is 4.5". If you select 7mm offset, the backspacing is 5".

So moving the offset negatively, the backspacing decreases. Moving the offset positively, the backspacing increases.

Adding to the confusion is how decreasing the backspacing moves the wheel further out from the vehicle center, increasing backspacing moves the wheel further inward.

 

Maybe these will help.

 

This helped tremendously - thanks for all the visuals!

 

Tiresize.com was a tremendous help when I was changing rims on my Mustang. Offset is just as important as anything else if you don’t want to screw up your steering or suspension. Tiresize.com has a calculator that displays images as well as the numbers to help you decide on something that is SAFE! Good luck!

 

So are the stock 2020 ORP wheels a zero offset then and I just need to compare off of that? I was looking at snow tires and I kind of like to have them on rims since I plan on keeping them for awhile. I found these on Ebay but they have a 14mm F&R offset and 8" wide. https://www.ebay.com/itm/17-Matte-B...ner-FJ-Cruiser-SEMA-PRO-set-of-4/313175815557 .

 

The oem off road wheels are 15 off set i believe.

 

Offset affects backspace. Backspace is critical to whether you will rub suspension components. Offset will affect whether you rub fenders, etc.

You can have 2 wheels with the same backspace, but different offset. One might cause tires to rub, the other might not.

I'm more concerned with wheel width and offset, than backspace. But, if someone wants to go full "bro" and run 10-12 inch wide rims, they will need to watch backspace more.

This is a great simple explanation!

Positive offset pulls the wheels in. Negative offset pushes out. Backspace is half of the overall wheel width plus the offset.

 

I understand what offset is. Your statement above verifies what I said about wheel width and backspacing. As you stated, you can have two wheels with the same backspace, but different offset; the different offset is due to different wheel widths.

Wheel A has 5" of backspace and is 10" wide.

Wheel B has 5" of backspace and is 12" wide. Of course wheel A & wheel B will have different offset.

I guess knowing the wheel width one desires, it doesn't matter whether you use backspace or offset. You just need whichever one gives you the proper location of said wheel laterally to avoid rubbing.

 

My statement was to point out that offset is really as important or more important than backspace.

I was just pointing out why people are more concerned with offset than backspace. I figured you knew, but the OP asked.


Offset is a better measurement of whether your tires will rub. Backspace is a better measurement of whether your wheels will rub.

 

To make my point: wheel A might not rub, when wheel B probably would.

Rubbing can occur on both sides of the tire. This is why offset is important to look at.