35 Or 18mm Offset?

[aggie08]

I hate being the jackass that joins a forum to ask a question that's probably rudimentary to everyone, but I've spent the better part of two weeks searching for a thorough answer, so here goes:

 

I'm looking at some 18x9 XD Monsters to put on my new Silverado 1500 CrewCab, but I can't decide on the offset, 18 or 35. I was hoping you could talk me through the pros/cons of each. It's only 2/3rds of an inch difference (the 35mm's stick out 9mm's further than the OEM 18x8; the 18's stick out just over an inch further) so I figure any difference would only be mostly aesthetic, but I just wanted to make sure. I know the 35mm's will be closer to the stock 31mm offset and sit more under the fender than the 18's but beyond that I'm clueless. Most of my driving is highway driving (though some snow/soft dirt offroad), and I will be getting a leveling kit--actually the Bilstein 5100's--but no lift. Right now I plan to keep the stock 265 tires and will for at least a year or two (until they wear out). But will move up to a 285--but not any larger--after that.

 

I've only seen the 18mm offsets on lifted 1500's (like LSU's...which is awesome, by the way), and a tire "expert" at a shop told me the 18mm offsets would likely rub with just a level, and would certainly do so with 285's and no lift. Does this seem accurate to you?

 

Thanks in advance for whatever help you can offer.

[Matt_]

9" wide wheels with +35mm offset is way too much for these trucks.... thats well over 6" backspace. (they'll only stick out 1/2" further than stock but you'll also lose a half inch of fitment in the wheel wells )

 

If you want to run 9" wheels on these trucks you really need +18mm offset which equates to about 5.7" backspace (these will stick out ~1" further than stock wheels)

[K1500Tech]

My truck has a 2" level kit with 18mm offset Monsters. Im running a 275/70R18 tire with no rubbing.

[aggie08]

So I'd probably run into trouble trying to put 285/65's or 275/70's on the 35 offset?

[aggie08]

Let me rephrase that in a way that doesn't make me sound like a complete goober (too late, I'm sure ): how will losing that half-inch in the wheel wells affect the truck? Is it a brake and/or tire issue?

[lsuguy]

Thanks for the compliment man. It becomes more of a fitment thing. Because our wheel wells are shaped weird it's harder to fit bigger tires, then with the larger backspacing and offset it will cause bigger tires to rub. Go with +18 if possible. Looks and fits best IMO

[Matt_]

So I'd probably run into trouble trying to put 285/65's or 275/70's on the 35 offset?

 

You are more likely to rub the sway bar or frame when used in combination with a bigger tire.

 

That offset is more for lowered trucks running a smaller diameter tire.

 

It's kind of like lifting a truck 6" and putting on 35" tires... except instead of putting on ATs or MTs you put a set of performance street tires on it...

 

If you're planning on running larger tires, get the +18mm wheels.

[aggie08]

Thanks guys! 18 it is. Making a few calls for the 18's, it seems like more places have them on backorder...that probably explains why the salesmen were pushing me towards the 35's. Now begins the long process of picking out a tire...