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I am planing on changing my tires and wheels. I now have 245/50/16 with 3 1/2 back spacing, 1 1/2 inch room on each side, unlimited up space on the rear anyone have a idea what will fit using a larger wheel 18in.?

265/30/18 would be the correct plus size from what you have, 245/40/18 would keep the width about the same. Either way, expect the ride tt go very harsh with that short of a sidewall. Also, there won't be much load capacitly for any cargo.

Thanks Bill,Well I don't need load capacity but can I go to somthing in the 245/ 50 series with 18' wheels? amd how do I determine the backspacing needed if different than the 3.5 I have now?

Zim

Try this website - has a calculator to check all different scenarios. www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator

britcon, that link comes up as not found, maybe defunct?
gazim, a 50 series tire will be a bit taller than the 40, and will be taller than the tire you have now. As long as it's not sitting low enough to cause an issue with the tire hight, I don't see that as a problem, however, it will make the speedo read off (slower than actual). As to the backspace issue, what you can do is put some sort of stright edge, preferrably at least the same length as the wheel diameter, on the hub, then measuer back to check for clearance issues. Turn the spindle through its arc to check for obstructions and clearances. Essentially, you'll want to try to keep the rim centered on it's witdth on the spindle, but that's very difficult to get perfect. That's part of the reason newer trucks have such a deep offset. I'm not sure what you have for suspension, but you'll probably end up with around a 4" backspace. I wouldn't think that you would have to chang ethe backspace if you maintain the same rim width, though.
BTW, I mentioned the load capacity from an experience we had at the shop with low profile tires on a truck. Had a customer that wanted a 245/45/16 on a '71 C20, 307 4 speed, 4.56 rear gear. Besides being so short in hight that he almost blew the engine up with too many revs, he kept blowing out sidewalls, The tires just didn't have enough capacity to carry the bare truck, let alone put a load in it. I'm just saying, check the tires specs out, make sure they'll carry the weight of the truck with a nice safety margin, alright. Just want you to be safe!

Well I am printing out allthe good tips. Got the same thing on that link. I am more woried about the rear clearance as it is tighter. I have air bsg suspension on all 4. Height looks good but the side to side worrys me. Thanks all that answered.

Sorry about the link guys. Search 1010 Tires. That will get you the website - look for Tire Calculator.

Britcon good site I learned a bit, However no one seems to talk offset. If I get that wrong they wont fit.

Thanks peg, I have to get some more facts before I order online. see above.

gazin,
At 1010tires I went to the ">tech" section and clicked on "wheel tech" and that took me to a paragraph on "offset" and at the bottom of that paragraph ia a "wheel Offset Calculator" link. Lots of good info. Had to read parts of it several times for it to sink into my thick skull. Good Luck.

JJ will try again. Maybe I didn't look hard enough. Thanks.Zim

gazim - look under the tech section at the 1010 site. There is some info on offsets.

Britcon, I think you are on the same page as 4 on the tree.

Thanks anyway I need all the advice I can get. If I shuck out the big bucks for new wheels and tires, they better fit.

Good info 4onthetree, I'm in the same perdicament, my 46 has an S10 front end and it looks a little narrow, using offset front rims would help but I didn't know where to start. I'll check it out.
Thanks, Bob T