Hey UNYX members I have a question that I am desperately looking for an answer to

I am trying to fit 33x12.5" tires on my '03X which currently has a 3" BL and a pml which is getting upgraded to a AC 3" lift this weekend. The closest backspacing to stock I can find in wheel that is affordable to me is a 4.75BS.

one of my fellow nexterra members let me test fit his setup of 33x12.5's with the 4.75BS and they rubbed with the wheels turned just driving in my driveway. He has a 2"bl and we cut about an inch off of the rear of his front fender and he still rubs a little.

I saw a person on XOC running this tire/wheel with just a SL and no BL and they said they only had minor rubbing but I don't know if i believe it because with my BL mine won't clear.

Mike from AC said once I add the suspension lift I should be fine and he suggested 4.5BS wheels instead of the 4.75 which makes no sense to me. He actually said with the SL i should be able to run the tires with the mud flap on but I don't see that happening since with it off now it will not clear.

Any help is greatly appreciated, hopefully someone here runs this setup and can help me out.

Thanks, Eric

Because of the width of your tires you may need to trim the plastic a little bit.I have the same BL and backspacing,but I run 33x10.5 tires.I trimmed a little of my plastic around the bottom of the front fenders (had minor rubbing).
Otherwise I've had no problems with mine.

what model of tire are you running? The brands I have been looking at don't offer a 33x10.5.

I run BFG Mud Terrain on 15" Rock Crwaler rims

Every model tire has a slightly different diameter, tread width, and section width even within the same tire company.

For example:
Someone might fit a 33x12.5 with no rubbing because the specific tire they are running is maybe actually 32.8x11.7 or something, and the tire you are trying to fit is maybe more like 33.3x12.5 so its a half inch taller and almost an inch wider.

The best chance you have of avoiding a rubbing issue is use the stock rims (5.5" bs) or try to find some 15x8 rims that are 5"bs

Scott (Dagger) will probably post a reply any minute now, telling you to run the stock rims.

Truth of the matter is, the best rims for the Xterra are the stock ones, bar none. They are the only ones with the correct backspacing.

I am running 33x12.50's. I ran them for a while with just an SL and I had some rubbing, but not problem. Now with a BL they still will rub sometimes. As far as trimming plastic, you may still have to trim some even with a 3" BL, but nothing that will be seen.

the only problem Dagger about using stock BS is that I can't find it in a 15" rim unless I go the custom made route which $ won't allow. The closest I have found is the 4.75.

What is the rim width on the factory wheel you have? is it a 7? My 03 has 16's and I believe they are 7"'s wide.

My other option is to get 305 70 16's and run them on my stockers but they are suggest to run them on a 8-9" wide rim.

I can get 33x12.5 Mickey thompson baja claws and cragar d window rims with 4.75 BS for $859 as a package

If I get just the 305 size the tires alone will cost me $820 just for tires.

what type of tires are you running scott? I am afraid if I run 5.5 BS with a tire like the Mickeys the big side lugs might rub on the inside edge or catch the brake line cover or lines on pass. side

You can get the stock backspacing by using the stock rims. They come in 15", 16", and 17"



All the factory rims are 7" width and 5.5" backspace.

my rims are 15x8

My rims are 15" and 7" wide. I see rims for sale all the time. Watch E-bay or the boards. I have picked up two sets for $100 or less.

I picked up a set for Jay (SavageHenry) in the fall. I don't think he paid more then $200 with tires.

I just got a set of stock 15" rims also and will be swapping them on soon, they were very cheap.

you could spend the money you were going to spend on rims and go with an metric size on your 16" stock rims you have now. Either way you will be putting down around the same.

I have two sets... one that I use for daily driving (16's from a 2004) and another set that I trailer or mount for offroading (my original 15's). The OR tires are only 31's, but it's good enough for now while I decide if I want to get a BL to go with SL.