tires and rims - stock question - the basics

[p7387]

i know this has been addressed in some form on the boards over the years but i am trying to condense it all in basic outline form.

is the basic no frills factory wheel 15x7?

is the basic rally 15x8?  and is backspacing and offset standard
were these an option?

i was told that The largest tire i could put on a stock 87 2WD with no lift and basic suspension would be 31x10.5x15   will these fit on a 15x7 or do i need a 15x8

what is the largest tire that will fit on a stock 15x7

what is the minimum/max tire that will fit on a 15x8

how is the width determined?
is it a direct measurement from outside of beaded lip to outside of beaded lip or should it be taken in another place?

don't mean to ramble-just trying to create a basic guide line that i am sure a lot of guys will find helpfull.

thanks

[Captkaos]

This is Steel wheels only
15x7 was standard, 15x8 was optional, both has 4" backspacing.

You can put anything larger than 31x10.50 on a 4x2 and expect it not to rub, they will physically fit on a 15x7, but they are better suited to a 15x8.

largest tire is a loaded question.  are you talking width or height.  Height is going to be limited by lift, width shouldn't be over 10" in my opinion.

Again, loaded question, width or height...I ran 33x12.50's on 8" rims which I consider the widest, but wider is possible and rockcrawlers put wider on there because of the inner bead

Width of the wheel is determined by the area INSIDE the lip.  Factory wheels are stamped with their size and width though.

[p7387]

thanks capt.
so if i run a 235/75/15 tire will that fit on either a 15x7 or 15x8?

to clarify my first question--
what is the max width a 15x7 will accommodate
what would both the max and min width accommodations be for a 15x8

[Captkaos]

235/75/15 will work on both.

You can run as little as 195 section width on a 7" I personally would run no less than 215 section width on a 8".
As far as how wide, I wouldn't put over a 255 section width on a 7" and a 285 on an 8"