Wheels, tires, backspacing, Oh My!

O.K. I have read all off the posts on lifts, tire sizes, and how to measure wheel offset. I have a stock suspension and will probably get new springs with only an inch or two. I want to run 31" tires with 15 or 16" wheels and I do not want the tires sticking out of the wheel wells or rubbing anything.

Do I go with a 7" or 8" rim? How much backspacing will I need to get the look and fit that I desire?

 

P.S. - I am restoring this C101 as a cruiser and not for off road use.

 

I'm running American Racing Outlaw II's with Pirelli Scorpion ATR's and they come flush with the wheel opening.

Rim specs:
Outlaw II, Aluminum, Natural, 15 in. x 8 in., 5 x 5.5 in. Bolt Circle, 3.75 in. Backspace

Tires specs:
31X10.50R-15/C1 109S

I'll try to get pictures.


(wheels in the icon are old wagon wheels)

 

Your wheel/tire package in your icon is the look that I am going for. Your rig looks great. What do you have for suspension?

 

It has a spring over. As soon as I can get the $$$ I'll going with a Hell creek kit to get it back under the axle but keep the lift

Here it is with the old wagon wheels and the hard top (which I need to get back on)




Here it is as of this morning with the new wheel set up.



I was wrong about the tires being flush they stick out by an inch or so.

 

Wow. That C104 looks great. I prefer the older style front clip, but your rig is sharp. The pinstriping looks good too, it gives it a little more 'style.'

I could live with the tires sticking out that much. I am only worried about the height now. I hear/read 31s fit with stock suspension, I hear/read you only need an inch or two...

 

those are 31's with the SOA which if I remember is 4 or 5" of lift.
I would think 1 or 2" of lift would work but be a close fit (depending on the tire width)

Others on here would know better.