Hey all, this is my first post on the forum. 
I am in the process of transforming my 97 tracker into a mild trail machine. It definitely will not fit into the hardcore catagory as I will be using it around town on the pavement quite a bit as well. This is a budget build so I am going with some low budget parts.
I am trying to decide whether or not to go with 7" rims with 3.75 backspace or some 8" with only 2.5" backspace. If I figure correctly the 2.5" backspace rims are going to increase the track by 4" on each side vs only about 1.75" if I go with the 3.75 backspace and narrower rim.
With 31" tires on it I am curious as to how the wider stance will affect its road manners vs going with the larger backspace and having it closer to the factory width.
Better, worse, or not really any difference as far as pavement drivability between the two? Its fairly important because this rig is going to double for me as my "loaner" car to give company to use when they come to visit. And living in Daytona, we get lots of company. 
I am also curious as to whether or not I can get away with the 31s and only a 3" body lift using the narrower rims that are going to tuck within 1/4" of what the factory wheels were.
If I go with those 7"tighter tucking rims will I be OK with the 31s, need a suspension lift as well, or have to stick with something a tad smaller, 30s perhaps?
I sort of felt I was going to either end up with the narrow stance and 30s on it or the wide stance, 31s, and fender flares. I just wasnt sure which would work out best for what I need.
Thanks for any input.
Roy

As far as driveability is concerned the 2.5" bs rims should make things much better. A few years ago when I was running 215s I fitted some wheel spacers. Huge difference, much more stable and much better handling. The lower bs will reduce clearance on the wheel arches, 31s may need a litttle triming whatever rims you have even with the 3" bodylift

It'll definately be stable with the 2.5" of backspacing.  Even with 31's and 6" of lift mine is as much of a corner carver as a Tracker ever gets to be.
That said forget about keeping it clean.  I hit a dirty puddle and it looks like I went bogging.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2186576

I bought the Tracker with this lift and those wheels.  Would I do it that way?  Nope.  I'd go for narrower tires on wheels with more backspacing and at least try to keep them under the fenders.  I drove the thing around on stock wheels and 215/75R15's for half of last year and it wasn't really all that different from the bigger tires and wider rims.

Steering involves a bit more muscle but as long as your PS system works well you won't notice it much.  The difference is there but I wouldn't worry about it too much.  My wife drives it occasionally and has never said anything about it.

In my opinion, you will fit the 31's easier with the 7" wheels. Less trimming and hammering, and you won't need any more lift.

The 3.75" backspaced rims will fit the 31's better with less lifting and less trimming than the 2.5" backspaced rims. The 3.75" will promote reliability as well. The 2.5" rims will add more stress to the wheel bearings, ball joints, struts and tie rods. Plus if you don't have power steering, you will definately notice a difference trying to steer the wider stance setup, especially at lower speeds. Plus as mentioned above the 2.5" rims will stick out further, throwing all the road dirt and mud right up the sides of the rig...

I would recomend sticking with the 3.75" rims, maybe split the difference and get 15x8" rims with 3.75" of backspacing? Depends on the width of your tires. For 10.50 wide I would say 15x8" would work well, but for narrower tires, stick with the 15x7"

OK, thanks guys for the replys. It was the additional info I needed. I went ahead and got the 3.75 backspacing. I will post some pics in a week or two when I get her lifted.
I will try to post some underside pics to make all you northern guys jealous. Not a spec of rust on this track anywhere. Underneath, behind the bumpers, It all looks like the day it rolled off of the showroom floor! 
Roy

I will try to post some underside pics to make all you northern guys jealous. Not a spec of rust on this track anywhere. Underneath, behind the bumpers, It all looks like the day it rolled off of the showroom floor! 
Roy

Grrr!!! I live right next to the ocean, we get salty fog every night, and we use salt on our roads in the winter. Even 2004's have some rust... Grrr!!!

i got my stock tires on for inspection purposes right now and holy god, this thing is tippy.. with my 15x7 rims with 3.5" of backspacing, it feels sooooooooooooo much nicer on the road.