I currently run 15 x 10 steel wheels w/ 4" backspacing. The tires are 35 x 12.5 SSR's. I am wanting to chang to 15 x8 wheels
w/ 3" backspacing. I am having a hard time visualizing this, I know with less backspacing puts more stress on ball joints,etc,
but by going to a narrower wheel shouldnt this counter act that aspect of less backspacing?
Also Less backspacing should move the tire out and allow for increased turning before rubbing on the leaf spring?
The narrower wheel will make the tire slightly taller(this is a good thing), but will that counter act the positive effects of the
less backspaced 15 x 8 wheel?
I think the 12.5" wide tire is too narrow for a 10" wheel, I constantly rub the outer lip of my wheel on rocks, plus with a 8"
wheel it should be better for keeping the tire seated when air down.
Any thoughts on this or anyone gone this route before?
Am I correct in my assumptions here or am I just:smokin:

Thanks for any info as always,
-Jeremy

Since you are changing the backspacing wit the wheel width, the center of the contact patch is in the same place. Shouldn't really change the stress on bearings/ball joints.

The turning radius won't change much either since you are not actually pushing the tire out farther, just putting it on a narrower wheel. The section width might change a bit, but nothing significant.

Now a narrower wheel with the same 4" backspacing, then it will be pulled in and stress reduced.

The same width wheel with less backspacing will be pushed out and stress increased.