wheels 16 or 18 hole and backspacing...

I posted this in the 1st gen forum first, but just realized this is the place to put it. So I cut and deleted that one and pasted it here:

I know I'm asking about a pre Tacoma Toyota, but I'm looking for wheels from this era so figured y'all might be the people to ask. Ive looked around and haven't been able to confirm what I believe about these, so please correct what is incorrect written below. And please read the last question, what's the difference between the 16 and 18 hole versions???

I understand backspacing and offset and the difference between them. I will reference backspacing here because those are the numbers I'm going off of, but if somebody here has info for me and it is in terms of offset, that'd be great, I can do the calculations to convert it to backspacing.

Please correct me on any of this:
I am getting 16" wheels for my 88' pickup, and will transfer them later to my 92' pickup (both 4wd). These both have the same stock backspacing of 4.5"... correct?
I believe I would want the same backspacing as stock, I don't want them to stick out any wider than stock, and am not worried about rubbing, as I've skinnied up from the 235/85r16 I used to run to the narrower 215/85r16 pizza cutters that will be on these rims.

It is my understanding that the 96' to 02' factory steelies (from Tacoma's, 4Runners, etc.) have that same backspacing of 4.5". but then after that, they started making them with the oval hole around the valve stem, which signifies later models and they have a larger backspacing of 5.25" moving them slightly more inward.

Questions: Is all this above correct so far? If so...
Am I correct to assume I'd want the same backspacing? (even using the none abtrusive tires I mentioned) and if so...
Am I safe getting any that do not have the oval valve stem hole? (I know how to read the serial number on the rim with the mfg date, but people rarely have photos of the serial number and never seem to want to send a photo of it).
And for the biggest question of all, is there any difference between the 16 hole and the 18 hole versions!!!??? I haven't even been able to find if they were from different years, or for different vehicles or different markets, etc. Is there any difference other than cosmetics? Can you run a mix of the two at the same time?

Thanks a bunch! I look forward to hearing from all the backspacing/offset experts

 

1. Are we talking about factory wheels and if so which ones? 2. What do you mean by 16 or 18 hole wheels? 3. Any pics of the wheels in question?

 

Yes, I definitely want Toyota factory wheels as they are hub centric and much better than an aftermarket steely in my opinion. These are often the spare wheel, but are a great full time wheel as well. There are two different versions, one with 16 holes, and one with 18 holes. I can't seem to find anything that explains the difference, or if it signifies something. I personally don't care at all as far as looks go, but I want to make sure that one doesn't signify a difference, like backspacing or something.

 

Can't figure out how to upload an image right now, but if you google factory Toyota steel wheel, you'll see tons of them, either with 16 holes around the edge or with 18 holes around the edge, and also you'll see some with one oval hole by the valve stem so you can check the tire pressure without removing it from the spare location, but from my understanding, the ones with the oval holes are newer and have a larger backspacing.

 

Without seeing the spec stamps on inside back of the wheel I couldn’t tell if they have the same offset.

 

The steelies like these don't have the offset on the inside like the alloys have. They have a serial number that gives the 16x7 and a few other codes and then the mfg month and year, but why are some with 16 holes and some with 18? what's the difference? is there a difference? is one superior to the other in some aspect? etc

I believe the offset is 4.5" just like the pre-Tacoma wheels had, but what's the difference between the 16 and 18 hole versions?

 

IMO I doubt there is a backspace difference since steelies require the 4.5 to clear the calipers. It more than likely is just a cosmetic design difference.