hey i recently bought a 97 gmc sonoma that has been dropped 5 inches, right now it has a  set of 17 inch konigs with 205/40s on it, lookin to be another set of 17s but as i have been shoppin around on the net i am always asked if my truck has fwd or rwd offset and i have no idea what that means, can anybody help?  

Hi. New user here. Anyways, i own a 2000 s-10 blazer 2dr 4wd recently dropped 3", & have done a lotta rim shopping, so i know i can help. Your truck has fwd(negative) offset. offset is how much off the center of the wheel the mounting flange is. negative (fwd) offsets have the mouting flange more towards the outside of the rim. opposite goes for rwd(positive) offset rims (which is why rwd's usually have more lip). your sonoma comes stock with a -38mm offset on 15"x7" rims. for new rims, the most suggested (both by online shopping and rim shops around town)that you'll want a -40 to -42mm offset for any rims wider than 7". for 7" wide rims, -38mm is just fine, although you can decrease offset a little further for a bit more lip in the rear (due to the wheels staying straight and more fender clearance). Passenger cars have fwd offsets, so rims for cars generally will work if they have your bolt spacing (5 on 4.75). Watch the rim load capacity though! ALWAYS check for correct spacing, load, and offset!! Dont buy until you know they'll fit, because what MAY fit on a stock sonoma MAY NOT fit your 5" dropped sonoma! I hope i was able to help. Happy shopping! :-)  

Hi again. I forgot to mention, i would not reccomend going any wider than 8.5" up front unless you plan on some fenderwell modifications and even more negative offsetting. Should be able to go up to 10" in the rear though with no modifying and keep your offset at about _35 to -42. Check with a reputable aftermarket rim shop in your area just to sure though. I havnt gotten rims yet myself (due to lack of the green stuff, lol), but have done a lotta shopping trying to find exactly what i want. Still, check with a shop though if going wider than 8.5!