so i think that i might get some Cragar Soft 8 wheels . they are 4" backspacing,   how wide should i go??  15x8 or 15x7 ?    Digger mentioned that i may burn up the bearings with less backspacing and more frontspace... i sure dont want that.
anybody know a better deal then about 33.00 dollars at quadretic

15x7 i hear is the peeeerfect size to run a 31x10.50 tire, id go with a 15x8": wheels tho

Only wheelbearing problem I ever had on my 15x10's with 4" BS was caused by me not tightening the nut down properly on the bearing.

More backspacing won't hurt bearings. Going with LESS, is what hurts. Puts more stress when turning. My 2.5" BS wheels are a good example.  

I like my 15x8 with my 31's, but they are 11.50 wide. If I had 10.50, I would probably go with a 7" rim, if avaliable and less expensive.

4" backspace will probably cause 10.50 to hit your frame (not to mention fenders if you haven't trimmed)

arnt most stock wheels a 5.5 backspacing though.   guy at junkyard told me that, but he was a dickhead, so i dont know...     anyway i thought that if i got 4" backspacing the wheel would be farther away and would be less of an issue for larger tires to fit.?

i want something to widen my stance, but dont need to be crazy huge,, a 29 or 30 is about as large as id like to go...            suggestions?

I'd stay w/ a 30, if I where you. I have a 31x11.50, and with 2.5" bs wheels I still rub the frame on occassion. Yes, the less BS pushes the wheels out, but it also increases the "swing" of the tires when turning, as in, the tires need more room to swing in and out on a larger BS rim. I don't know of a good way to give you an example of this....

so if i go with the 4" backspaced wheels,  then i should have no problems at all -- especially compared to the 2" backspaced ones??
then the issue with 15x7 or 15x8 is just a aesthetical decision.   (what ever i think looks neat?)  correct?

i plan on going with 235 75 15 tires, unless someone says that there is problems with that size......

thoughts?  anyone?                                  thank you

a 235/75 ... is basically a 29x9.25 ... plenty run that and you should be good. And yes, u can run those on stock rims.

"Sandard" backspace on 15x8 rims is 3.75" ... they are easy to pik,

Scrounge some ... 15x8 5x5.5 rims are not hard to get .... may even find some 31's already mounted.

I got 50% 32x11.50's on nice rims (15x8 5x5.5) for $50 ... scrounging is part of the fun +

most 15x8 wheels have a 0 offset with a 4.5 inch back spacing.  if your 2357515 no problem with fitment on 15x7. The more negtive offest the more its going to stick out  the more postive the more it brings it in.  Most side kicks are a mid off mostly zero 5 inch back side setting in common. I run 20 x8.5 with a 5.25 back side setting and a 10 inch wide wheel with no rubbing on frame or a arms

a why to figure out metric tire is to devide the first number by 25 that is how wide it is. Then times it by the aspect raito with in this case is .75. Times that number by two and add rim size to that number example 235/25=9.40   9.40*.75= 7.05  7.05*2=14.10  14.10+15=29.10 there for tire is 29.10 tall and 9.40 wide

im still confused a bit....   i know that 235/75/15 is the same as 29.5/9.25, but it is the wheel that i need to address,..,  i know that this tire would fit on a 15x7 and 15x8, but which one is the better one and what kinda backspacing should i go for          ( i.e.   4" vs. 3.75" vs. another size. )

sorry i be dumb.

I'm running 31 X 10.50 tires (Wrangler MT/R's).
I'm running 15 X 8 rims, with 2.75" of backspacing.

It all works great.  No problems.

I will be going to either 33 X 12.50's or 35 X 12.50's with the same setup.

235's will fit better on a 15x7 rim IMHO. running them on 15x8 rims would work, but the edge of the rim will be more exposed. the 15x7 rims would allow the tire's sidewall to protect the edge of the rim more. As for the question of 4" or 3.75" backspacing, either would work, but 3.75" would give you another 1/4" away from the frame. If your steering stops are adjusted right, you wont rub the frame at all...

I'm using Jeep CJ wheels, 15x7, 3.75" backspacing with 215/75/15 soon to be 30"