Tire Concerns: same tire size with different wheel width

by Steve G
(Wichita Falls TX)

I recently installed 4- P235/75R/15 on 15" oem steel rims
then realized the front rims are 8" wide but the rear rims are 7" wide. What effect will this have on vehicle tracking properly? What about offset? Should I put the 8" rims on thr rear? Do all rims have to be the same width. This is on a 1998 chevy 1/2 ton extended cab 2wd.

Editorial Comment

I'm not aware of any problems in using different width wheels on the front and back of a vehicle. Both these wheels are within the allowable range for a 235/75 tire, so there is no big issue as far as the tire is concerned.

I would be inclined to keep the same width of wheel on both the from and the back … that is don't mix widths on the same axle, but I would personally want to try mixing them on an experimental basis just to see how they felt. As long as the tire pressure is kept constant I don't believe you'd find much difference, no matter what the position of the particular wheel was, but perhaps in practice there might be some differences.

TG