One of the questions we get the most is: What offset wheel can I use and still put it on the ground without fender-to-tire contact? What kind of wheels will tuck in enough to not crinkle the fenders as the truck gets closer to the asphalt? The contrast of this has us remembering when the wheels sitting flush with the outside of the truck or even sticking out just a hair was the acceptable style. Here is a guide to help you in your quest to get a good set of rollers on your mini. This guide will reflect the direct application when using stock suspension geometry.
What is offset?
The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. The offset can be one of three types.
Zero offset
The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.
Positive offset
The hub mounting surface is toward the front, or face, of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front-wheel-drive cars and newer rear-drive cars.
Negative offset
The hub mounting surface is toward the back, or brake side, of the wheel's centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are generally a negative offset.
Side note
If the offset of the wheel is not correct for the vehicle, the handling can be adversely affected. If the width of a wheel changes, the offset of the wheel also changes numerically. If the offset were to stay the same while you added width, the additional width would be split evenly between the inside and the outside. For most vehicles, this won't work correctly.
List of popular truck options and correct offsets
This list will be for total millimeters of offset needed to achieve a low stance without ruined fenders and bedsides. This list contains no 4WD applications. If you have a 4WD, good luck!
| Make | Model | Year | Offset | Hub Bore | Bolt Pattern |
| Chevy | S10 | 82-04 | 0-15mm | 70.3 mm | 5x120.7 (5 x 4.75) |
| Chevy | Colorado | 04-06 | 35-42mm | 100mm | 6x139.7 (6 x 5.5) |
| Dodge | Dakota | 91-04 | 15-25mm | 71.4mm | 6x114.3 (6 x 4.5) |
| Dodge | Dakota | 05-06 | 15-25mm | 77.8mm | 5x139.7 (5 x 5.5) |
| Ford | Ranger | 83-06 | 15-25mm | 70.3mm | 5x114.3 (5 x 4.5) |
| Nissan | Pickup | 73-97 | 15-25mm | 100mm | 6x139.7 (6 x 5.5) |
| Nissan | Frontier | 98-04 | 15-25mm | 100mm | 6x139.7 (6 x 5.5) |
| Nissan | Frontier | 05-06 | 15-25mm | 66.1mm | 6x114.3 (6 x 4.5) |
| Mazda | Pickup | 77-93 | 0-25mm | | 6x139.7 (6 x 5.5) |
| Mazda | B Series | 94-06 | 15-25mm | 70.3mm | 5x114.3 (5 x 4.5) |
| Mitsubishi | Raider | 06- | 15-25mm | 77.8mm | 5x139.7 (5 x 5.5) |
| Mitsubishi | Mighty Max | 83- | 15-25mm | | 6x139.7 (6 x 5.5) |
| Toyota | Pickup | 69-95 | 15-35mm | 67.1mm | 5x114.3 (5 x 4.5) |
| Toyota | Tacoma | 95-04 | 15-35mm | 60.1mm | 5x114.3 (5 x 4.5) |
| Toyota | Tacoma | 05- | 32-45mm | 60.1mm | 5x114.3 (5 x 4.5) |
| Backspacing In Inches |
| | 3.25 | 3.50 | 3.75 | 4.00 | 4.25 | 4.50 | 4.75 | 5.00 | 5.25 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 6.00 | 6.25 |
| 5.5 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 51 | 57 | 63 | 69 | 75 |
| 6.0 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 51 | 57 | 63 | 69 |
| 6.5 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 51 | 57 | 63 |
| 7.0 | -19 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 51 | 57 |
| 7.5 | -25 | -19 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 51 |
| 8.0 | -32 | -25 | -19 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 | 38 | 44 |
| 8.5 | -38 | -32 | -25 | -19 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 | 38 |
| 9.0 | -44 | -38 | -32 | -25 | -19 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 | 32 |
| 9.5 | -51 | -44 | -38 | -32 | -25 | -19 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 25 |
| 10.0 | -57 | -51 | -44 | -38 | -32 | -25 | -19 | -12 | -6 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 19 |
Backspacing is the measurement given from the back of the wheel to the hub mounting point.
Find your width and offset and get your backspacing.
Hence, if you have an 8.5-inch-wide wheel and need 3.5 inches of backspacing, you would need a wheel with a -32 offset.
*The expertise and judgment of the installer overrides any and all recommendations.