so what the HECK is an offset? i have no idea what it is or what it means. like what does it mean when it says like 35mm or 45mm offset? anyone can help me? im planning on getting new wheels in the near future.

 

I posted this on another forum. I did the drawing all by myself

--Copied from Nick06tC on scionzone.com--
A deep dish wheel will have a negative offset.

The offset is the difference from where the wheel mounts the HUB, to where the center of the wheel is. If you have the hub at the center you have a zero offset and there will be as much tire behind where the hub is as in front of the hub. The hub will be centered with the face and back of rim.

If you have Postive offset then the wheel will extend into the wheel well further, and there will be less of a lip. The hub will be moved closer to even with the face of the rim.

If you have negative offset the hub will be towards the back of the rim and far away from the face of the rim. You will have more of a lip.

Offset will affect handling. And the more of a lip the more chances of bending a rim because you wont have the spokes to renforce it.


I will try and draw this: dont make fun of my drawing lol

 

so im guessing you would want less lip resulting in zero or a positive offset.. correct? but i still dont understand the concept of the 35mm or what not. if it just says lets say for example 35mm offset how do i know if its negative or postive? hopefully im understanding this correctly... =\

 

The short answer is a 35mm wheel will stick out 10mm farther than a 45mm wheel given the offset is a "positive" offset and both wheels are the same width overall.

The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel (usually measured in mm). The offset can be one of three types.
Zero Offset
The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel. (there would be no mm).
Positive
The hub mounting surface is toward the outside or wheel side of the wheel.
Negative
The hub mounting surface is toward the inside or brake side of the wheels centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are typically a negative offset.

Nick06tC did a good drawing but this diagram may help as well (it is showing some degree of "positive" offset:

If the "offset" were on the other side of the center line, it would be a "negative" offset.
In short, negative offset wheels push the wheel outward more than positive offset wheels, however, the mm can only be so much.

Click this FAQ (also in my sig and ^ there in the tC lobby). you'll see the stock offset on our 7" wide wheels are a positive offset of 45 mm.

You also have to consider the difference between the "section width" and "overall width" of the tire, which is basically the additional width the tire extends outward farther than the wheel does....it's not much but it's enough to cause rubbing. This changes based upon which tire you put on the wheel. Here is a diagram:

btw, although the "search" function is a pain sometimes...this has been asked and answered numerous times (i've done it at least four that I know of )

 

WELL DAMNIT, that is clear now to me, and the higher the offset the more the rim sticks inside the wheel well, CORRECT??? DAMNIT!!! well atleast it isw more clear to me than i was previously explained too... Now i see why a higher offset is asked for with 19's, so with a drop it will clear the fender, or tuck inside more. That puts a whole new aspect of understanding.. THanks, so much for this info... I might need to switch up my 18 offset for my Work's VS-XX then... I have seen a 36 offset on it and it looks clean, but with a 38 offset it will stick inside the wheel well 2mm more, not much but could make the difference in looks and handling.. What do you guys suggest with 18's to be a perfect offset, that doesnt look to much 'pushed in' and lines up better to the car... I will be addign abody kit later, and wheels that looked too much pushed in, look off to me...

thanks again for the info...

 

bingo...it's half the wheel width minus the "offset" mm to determine how far it sticks out plus the difference between the section width (thereabouts) and the overall width of the tire. with the positive offset the higher the mm, the more it will be brought in from the fender. so asking "what is best for 18s doesn't consider the width...are they 18" by 7", 7.5", 8", 8.5",etc. that has to be considered

also consider that you are also moving the other half of the wheel width (however wide) inward plus the offset in mm...(you don't want to rub on the inside either).

btw, i explained a negative offset wheel in the last post and corrected it...i'm glad you got what i meant

 

^^^^yes thank you for that info bro.. it really clears thing up for me.. As for my rims it is a 18x8 to clarify. Right now my Work VS-XX has an offset of 38, but they also have an 34 offset for that rim too... I do believe the 38 shouldnt rub, and i think the 34 might stick out a bit... anybody with a 34 or smaller offset with pics>?? in 18x8's... Thanks...

 

I have 35mm offset on mine. The front looks great! But the rear looks tucked a little still. Here's a couple of pics.
Front

Rear

I have the TRD Springs. Springs have settled since these pics were taken. Please ignore the dirt on my tC! It needed a bath! I hope this helps you out.

 

looks great imo.

a spacer in the rear could bring the front and rear to the same width but apparently the real spacers are tough to find. looks good.

 

does the width of the wheel matter with the size of the offset? im planning on getting 18's but i dont know if i should get 18x7.5 or 18x8.5 i want wide but not SUPER wide. would a 37mm offset be fine for both those sizes?

and what if i have a drop.. stechs for example will i have issues with rubbing?