Ok, here's pics of what I ended up with.  CanadianTire special, 15x7's (they say -- tape measure says closer to 15x6's) with 4.25-ish inch of backspace.   Bone stock, no lift, and I get zero rub.  I'm happy.  I think it would look better still a touch wider, but at this width it is kind of nice, because it tucks them in just tight enough, that they clear the rear fender arch too (see pics). 

Anyway -- for the record -- pics below are the Canadian Tire black rims listed as 15x7 (even though they're really closer to 15x6), and essentially brand new BFG Commerical Traction T/A's in Lt235x75R15C's -- no lift at all, totally stock.    Pics taken on an evening's wheeling/bear hunt.

Parked in a clearing down low (no bears):


Parked in a clearing up high (no bears):


Wheel stuffs nicely, but doesn't rub - sweet!


Silly poser shot:

I wonder how they would work with 31/9.50's and Jeff's lift? If only I had brakes, then I might try them.

I wonder how they would work with 31/9.50's and Jeff's lift? If only I had brakes, then I might try them.

I bet they'd rub at the frame a little, but would be a slight improvement from the stock 15x5.5's.

If I was starting from scratch, I'd go straight to 16 inch rims and some LT215x85R16's (30x8.5) on 16 inch Vitara rims.   The width is the problem on these things more than the height.   But I already had two sets of LT235x75R15's (winter and summer), so there was no way I was going to pony up the money to change to a different tire size if I could make these work.

YMMV..

Does anybody know if the generation 1 tracker wheels (pre-99) will fit on a 2003 Tracker w/factory 15" wheels.  I'm looking at some on ebay.  I want the cheapest possible  15" steel wheels that I can paint black.

-Thanks
-Dan

I currently have a set of '95 Kick aluminum wheels on my '02 Tracker.  I'm betting they would work.  There is no difference between the '02 and '03 model year Tracker brakes.  Gen 1 Kick and Tracker wheels were interchangable with the exception of the Kick Sport model that came out with the 1.8 engine. That one had 16" factory wheels.  They'll fit Trackers but I don't think the Tracker rims (15") will fit them.
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=24673.msg202365#msg202365

Personally, I'm a big fan of "skinny" rims and tires on these trucks.  Keeps the tire out of the fender.  Wish someone made a larger diameter (30-31") "pizza cutter" tire with an aggressive 8" wide tread/lugs for off roading.  The original Sammies came with tall thinner tires and they  went through quite abit of mud and crap in their stock form.  Yeah, they were lighter, but these trucks aren't as heavy as full size trucks either.  I think about the M151 1/4 ton utility trucks we once used in the military. They had 16" pizza cutter military lug style tires (biased) and we drove those things in the sand, in the mud, over river banks, in rivers, over logs in the rivers, and back up 3 foot high river banks.  They were nearly unstopable.  If they had had lockers in their axles I think they would have been.

Personally, I'm a big fan of "skinny" rims and tires on these trucks.  Keeps the tire out of the fender.  Wish someone made a larger diameter (30-31") "pizza cutter" tire with an aggressive 8" wide tread/lugs for off roading.

Sounds like you want some 215x85R16's -- something along these lines:  http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Firestone&model=Destination+M%2FT  or you might also like these http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Wrangler+DuraTrac

A 215x85R16 should be (approx) 30.5 inches tall, and about 7.5-ish inches wide.   As I said, if I was starting from scratch to put some taller/bigger meats on a Tracker, that size on a set of Vitara/XL7 rims is EXACTLY what I'd be doing. 

I've finally been doing this long enough to know what I want in a tire -- and tall and skinny is the bomb, and a "traction tire" (mid-range agression between an A/T and a M/T) is it.

My Tacoma's getting some 235x85R16's next time it gets tires, which are approx 32x8.5-ish. 

Does anybody know if this wheel (off a pre-99 tracker), will fit the 99 and up trackers?

Do I KNOW they will fit?   No.  The lug pattern and the cut-out in the middle is the same.  Will it clear your calipers in the front...  I think they will.   I have a set of stock Argent style OEM factory steel wheels off of my 2002.  I replaced them with the '95 Kick alum rims.  This is the same basic steel wheel that came with Trackers that didn't come with some style of aluminum rim from about '95 on.  These same Argent style wheels came on my '95 Chevrolet Tracker tin top.  I took the Aluminum 3 spoke off my '96 rag top Tracker before I sold it and switched rims and tires with the '95 tin top.  The Argent style fit the '96 as well.   This is the same argent style rim as I have sitting in my garage right now and the same style that is on my other Tracker in the drive way, right now.  This is the reason why I strongly think those rims will fit your 2 gen Tracker.  

Does anybody know if this wheel (off a pre-99 tracker), will fit the 99 and up trackers?

I had two that looked to be identical to that one on my 2003 Tracker when I bought it (yes 2 -- the other 3 were the factory wheels -- I didn't notice it until a month later).  And, yes, they cleared the calipers.   They are 15x5.5 with 4.25-ish inches of backspace.

Thanks for all the info so far guys.  Does anybody have any idea if the suzuki samurai wheels will fit the gen 2 trackers?

No experience with the Sammy rims.  Sorry.

Thanks for all the info so far guys.  Does anybody have any idea if the suzuki samurai wheels will fit the gen 2 trackers?

I am 100% sure they WILL NOT FIT!!!!   I have tried both the "wagon-wheel" style, and the "bullet-hole" style.   The "bullet-hole" style came closer to fitting than the wagon-wheels did, but still a good 1/4 inch too close to the calipers.   

The bullet hole rims from a SIDE KICK will work, I know this 100% for sure, I have them on my vehicle. If you want pics, check the "Let's see your rides" thread!

I think I'm starting to understand wheel measurements.  This thread has been really helpful.  What is the best rim width for the tracker setups?  I found a 15" wheel I like, it appears to be a 15" with 5X5.5 inch bolt patter and 3.75 inch backspacing.  The only issue is it is a 15X8" wheel.  Is the 8 inch width too thick for the tracker hardware?  If so, what kind of width am I looking for in a 15" wheel?

http://summitracing.com/parts/CRR-3655855/

-Thanks
-dan