Empire

So what exactly is the difference between truck wheels and regular/car wheels?

I'm looking for wheels for my truck. 2003 Ford F150 SuperCrew.
and on some aftermarket sites it lists truck wheels separately. And on other sites, it has them bunched together with car wheels too.
Is there actually a difference?

What should you look for when shopping around for wheels?

My truck does about 96% street driving. Occasionally is in the grass. Rarely jumps curbs. Very rarely goes down dirt roads.
I'm looking for something either 19 inch or 20 inch.
and as lightweight as possible. (the 4.6 needs all the help it can get. lol)

Was considering the Lightning wheels, they are 19's and are supposed to weigh 32 pounds. Can anyone verify that?
Are there better options out there?
The lightning wheels have the basic look I'm going for. a more clean, simple, spoke type design. I don't need all of that crazy stuff I've been finding on the different websites.

zhillz

The main difference is usually backspacing and offset Search for what backspacing for f150 wheels in forum discussions.

CRXSiR

what zhillz said..also weight of the wheels are usually different

Empire

its weird how the terminology changes. on the import car scene, it is called offset, but in domestics, especially trucks, it is called backspacing.


As for the weight, would one assume that a heavier wheel is a stronger wheel and that's why they do it that way?


So from that, I guess the trick is to find a wheel you like, with the correct backspacing, that is as light as possible, but still has a suitable load rating, regardless of if the seller has it classified as a truck wheel or not.

right?

zhillz

Offset and backspacing are different. Offset is the measured distance between the hub mounting surface and the wheels center line. Backspacing is the measurement from the hub mounting surface to the back edge of the wheel. Backspacing to me makes better sense on determining what wheel to buy since you know where the edge of the outside will be.

Empire

yeah, that is true.

it is interesting to see the different groups focus on the different aspects.

offset is useful in trying to figure out where the outside of the wheel will be, especially if you are trying to get closer to flush with the fender.
backspacing tells you where the inside of the wheel is going to be.

you can have 4 inches of backspacing and +5 offset and it be totally different than if you had 4 inches of backspacing and +40 offset.
so in all reality, you really should know both numbers especially if you are trying to fit the widest wheel possible.