Balljoint failure level

[RIPPEDK5]

the limit of mid 2000's ifs balljoints when using rims that push the wheel out

i assume thats called negative backspacing? or offset?

looking for a rim that will push my tire out 2-3 mor inches then what i have..

with semi proper alignment (Gms of this era pull to the right a little bit regardless)

wheel bearing life expectancy?

ball joints?

any ball joint upgrades ?

 

[Stomis]

So you're talking about going from a 16x8 with like 6 or 7in of backspacing on the stock wheel to like 3.5 or 4in? I doubt you will see an issue.

 

[RIPPEDK5]

ooops,

should have mention they are 20 inch rim with a 275/55/R20 on it and the offset/ backspacing

offset is pretty set to the outside of the rim

backspacing is abour an inch or so toward the back of the rim from the offset

basically i want the rims to stick out so, i will need another 4"-6" to push the rim out (i dont want spacers i want different rims)

 

[RIPPEDK5]

 

[K85 Octane]

maybe check out the "how will my truck look with xxx lift and tires. That has tons of pictures and info on wheel spacing. Might get a better idea of what you want esthetically (sp?)

 

[dhcomp]

Its hard to guess, but you will see bigger issues with the overall size / weight change of the rim/tire, than you will with the backspacing.

I'd be more worried about running a 35' with less back spacing than running a 20" wheel and street tire.

That being said, if the truck has lots of miles on it, it may want new BJ's before you run these wheels, as the current wear may translate to a vibration with the new wheels and tires.

 

[RIPPEDK5]

Well my 20" rim and tire combination is not light...so weight factor may be not be important.

wanting to switch to a steel wheel and 33's, weight should be comparable.

the truck does have 130k on it and has no play in either ball joints or wheel bearings (both original)

My buddy has silver 5 spoke American Racing rims that stick out but dont think they match the truck... I was thinking a Pro-Comp Extreme Rock crawler rim

 

[Blue85]

At first I was thinking that 3-4" is too much and would cause issues beyond just ball joints. But the rims you show are basically car rims, so changing the backspacing like you're proposing is really just putting the tires back closer to where they are supposed to be anwyay.

 

[str8axle55]

I seem to recall reading or hearing that wheel bearing life will suffer, not sure about the ball joints though.

 

[Stomis]

I seem to recall reading or hearing that wheel bearing life will suffer, not sure about the ball joints though.

I would say they go hand in hand. Especially on an IFS vehicle where the separation is much greater than a straight axle and the lower balljoint is carrying all the forces of the spring rate.

 

[dhcomp]

If you were getting ready to run 35's on 16x12's or something, i'd be worried.

For what you are doing, the wear won't be much more than stock.

That being said though, the main difference is it will stress your older stuff, and may uncover problems you don't know you have. I would doubt the bj's are in as good of shape as you are guessing with that many miles.

 

[lovebomb_69]

I never replaced ball joints on my 2002 but did replace 4 wheel bearings.mostly highway usage

 

[RIPPEDK5]

I have never replaced any of the wheel bearings or ball joints, and there is no play in any of them, and are greased properly....I have replaced tie rods and the idler arm/ pitman arm

The rims are factory rims, not car rims... the truck came with a 2 inch drop from factory along with the 20" rims and 275/55/R20 tires (which are mad expensive to replace)...I understand what your saying though... Buying a normal back spaced rim would be like doing what i wanted with having the tires stick out.