I am thinking of getting a set of 16x8" steel rims with a custom 2" backspacing. The reason I'm considering this is because I like the current footprint of my sprung-over FJ62 (15x10" rims with a 4" backspacing), but I hate the wide rims, and after crunching some numbers, I figured that 2" backspacing on 8" rims would leave me with the same overall footprint, but allowing me to run narrower rims. I'm curious, what's the conventional wisdom regarding a 2" backspacing, too little? I realize it's going to strain the front bearings, but I think I'm willing to live with it.
Any suggestions on places that would make these rims, other than Stockton Wheels? My Cruiser is heavy and will get even heavier in the future, so I need strong rims that will take wheeling abuse. At this point I'm not considering beadlocks because I daily drive my truck, and I understand that balancing beadlocks is almost impossible. I'm also old-school, no aluminum or alloy rims for me, I want steel that can be hammered back into shape on the trail, with a rock if need be.

You can have just about any wheel custom made through your local tire and wheel dealer. I had some Bart bead locks built through America's Tire Co. with 2.5" back spacing. Just figure on waiting a few weeks for them to be built.

As for the bearings, I laugh! More stress yes, but how much? who knows. Who cares!

Jeff

Thanks, Jeff! I feel pretty much the same about the bearings, I figured I'll break something or bugger up the bearings before they succumb to stress.

Any recommendations on particularly strong steel rims? I had a bad experience with Bolton Classic Wheels, and don't have enough vaseline for Stockton's....:D

I'd be willing to live with 2.5" backspacing, I don't think one inch less is going to do much for me...especially running 37x12.5's in the near future!

fc187 also had some custom 2" backspacing wheels made at the americas tires store in stockton. Ill let him tell you the specifics, but the fit well on his 55

My beadlocks have 2" backspacing on a 15x10 Beadlock. And my spare is a conventional rim with a 2" BS. Trailready made mine for around $45 for the spare.
I love the added footprint that it gives me. And I just work on the bearings a bit more often...

Give trailready a call and see what they can do for you!

My friend runs 15x8s with 2" BS with 36x12.5 TSLs. It is fine so far. There is approximately the same leverage at work on the bearings with this setup as a 10" wide rim with 4" BS. I will be running 15x8 with 2" BS as soon as I can afford to have my tires mounted. Go for it, you'll be happy.

I dig mine, 15x8" 2"bs (steel)

I squished 14" tires onto the 8's. damn near beadlocks! couldnt fit without the shalow bs.

got them from americas tire. I forget who they had make them, but it was an industrial wheel manufacturer. another cool thing about them is that the stem is WAY inboard. WAY!

I paid $200 plus tax for them and as Jeff said, 2 1/2 to 3 weeks.

not bad cosidering the cost of spacers.