question about backspacing

[cman086]

i have a '94 4RUNNER and i am trying to buy new wheels for it. the stock backspacing is 4.75 inches. if i buy new wheels with 3.75 inches will they stick out more of less? or should i just stick with the same backspacing on the new wheels too, 4.75 inches???

[EnolaGaia]

Safest thing to do is to stick as close to your existing backspacing as possible (assuming we're talking about the same width wheels).

Backspacing is the distance from the inside (engine-side) rim to the mounting surface (where the wheel meets the hub). More backspacing means the wheel sits farther 'in' the wheel wheel. Less backspacing means the wheel sits farther 'out'. Dropping 1" off your backspacing basically means the new wheels will sit 1" farther 'outward' than the previous ones.

If this is still confusing, do a Google search on { backspacing offset }. There are a number of info sites out there with explanations and diagrams.