How do you check backspacing on a wheel? I'm looking at getting some used wheels and I am hopefully going to go look at them tomorow, but I wanted to be able to check the backspacing in case the seller is not sure. Also, I have a 4 wheel drive, i know 6' backspacing is stock, but what would be the smallest I can go without too much stress on my blazer?

 

Backspacing is the distance between the mounting surface (where it touches the hub) and the rear plane of the rim.


As far as protecting your blazer, I'd say to be absolutely safe, try to stay at 6', but 5' will probably be ok for you. I'm running 4.5' and have definite more stress on the power steering system, and I've got a hub on its way out. Also I've blown a CV since getting the rims, but I also adjust up the T-bars, and i've got 100k on the clock...hard to say what all caused that sucker to go.

I personally like the wider stance, so any strain from the decreased backspacing is tolerable to me

 

Thanks for the diagram and the help.
Sorry to see that you are a NC State fan, I'm a Maryland fan. But hey, we both lost in the first round of the ACC so we're in the same boat.

 

Yea...NC State is pretty terrible this year. I don't know why they keep letting Costner touch the ball..