The two diagrams I drew are of the same wheel: stock 16 x 7, 5.5" backspace and 38 mm offset. Drawn at 30% of full size. Actually drawn at 100% then reduced together to 30%. So, the diagrams are more or less to scale.
Even if I had accounted for the real width (external width) the diagrams should be identical. Unless, my assumptions the definition of "offset" and "backspace" are wrong. Looking at the discrepency between the diagram, it almost look just about wide enough to be the thickness of a wheel's face (center). If I didn't get the definitions wrong... then the 5.5" backspace number must be wrong (or wrong offset figure).
Anyway, I think I'll go for the American Racing with 5" backspace. Not the most ideal specs... but I am not about to spend twice as much on alloy rims. I'm keeping my stock 18s afterall.
Plus, with the kind of off-roading I'll be doing (very mild), I don't imagine I'll be needing a spare much. A bit of a pain dragging a full size spare on and off of the roof rack anyway. A can of fix-a-flat and a portable compressor (which I already have) ought to do the trick should they be needed. If that doesn't do it, I should be able to limp out with the factory spare. Sure it'll throw ABS codes left and right, but that's better than being stuck in the middle of nowhere.
As for trimming, got two Rotozips and a Dremel with plenty of cutting disks at my disposal. Shouldn't be much of a problem.
Thanks all for your help and input.
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