What size wheel spacers?

96Tacoma4x4 · 10-25-2009, 10:33 PM

So I got some Mickey Thompson rims for my truck, but when I put them on to test fit them, the back of the rim hit my brake caliper. I might be doing a lift and running 285/75/16 tires. So my question is what size wheel spacer should I get so the my rims clears my brake caliper, and so that my tires don't rub? I figured that 0.5" wheel spacer should be fine, but the smallest one I found so far is 1.00" I didn't want my tires to stick-out from the fenders, as fender flares are not in the budjet. Thanks for the help!

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Elton · 10-25-2009, 10:36 PM

what wheels are you gonna use ?

**rocket** · 10-26-2009, 02:07 AM

1/4" Mr. Gasket spacers... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-2376/

96Tacoma4x4 · 10-26-2009, 03:02 PM

The rims I bought are Mickey Thompson Classic II, and I 'll either be using 265/75/16 tires, or if I lift my truck I will be using 285/75/16 tires

Elton · 10-26-2009, 03:11 PM

whats the back spacing ?

96Tacoma4x4 · 10-26-2009, 03:43 PM

Not exactly sure, I think they are the same as stock (4.25" or 4.50")

Also, just thought of something - can I not just buy 2 of the 1/4" spacers so that I have a 1/2" spacer?

Elton · 10-26-2009, 03:45 PM

just 1/4'' spacers up front is enough

96Tacoma4x4 · 10-26-2009, 09:28 PM

the thing is though when I put my front rim on and tightened the lug nuts, the rim didn't even spin, so I'm not sure if a 1/4" spacer is enough

Elton · 10-26-2009, 09:29 PM

what size wheels 15'' ?

96Tacoma4x4 · 10-27-2009, 08:05 AM

no, 16x8

mastacox · 10-27-2009, 08:45 AM

Here's the problem, even the 1/4" spacers might not be a great idea because your studs might not be long enough to get enough thread engagement on the nut. 1/2" of spacers definitely wouldn't work, and would be dangerous on the road. Also, I don't think those rims you have are hub centric, but your truck is designed for hub-centric rims which means they might vibrate.

Your options are to grind the rim down in the spots it is rubbing on the caliper, or get some quality spacers like the Spidertrax ones because they bolt on to your existing studs and have a whole second set of studs in them for bolting up the wheel. Those 1/4" spacers are asking for trouble IMO, I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole.

I thought the Spidertrax spacers were too big for me when I was getting new rims for my 4Runner, so I ended up designing my own set of 3/4" spacers and had them machined at a local machine shop. I had to cut off about a 1/4" from my stock studs to get them to work, but it was worth it for me.

96Tacoma4x4 · 10-27-2009, 02:58 PM

But if I get bigger tires, the rims might not rub anymore, but the tires will

mastacox · 10-27-2009, 03:09 PM

So get new rims? Seriously, if those rims are really 16x8's and they rub on your calipers that badly, they aren't a very good choice for your truck IMO...

As I said, my advice would be to steer away from the 1/4" spacers, they are dangerous and inconvenient.

Elton · 10-27-2009, 03:38 PM

im running 1/4'' spacers theres way more than enough threads left

mastacox · 10-27-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elton

im running 1/4'' spacers theres way more than enough threads left

... but now your rims don't sit on the hub-centric ring, am I correct?

highonpottery · 10-28-2009, 12:51 PM

sounds like your new rims arent' gonna work for you. what size were your original rims, 16x7? technically your brake calipers will sit "inside" of your rim, so if you're hitting your calipers, then it sounds like your rims aren't big enough in diameter to clear them and wheel spacers will not help you. you could get away with spacers if the rim clears everything but the tires don't - which is more common.

if you had 16x7 rims w/ 4.75 backspacing and decided on a 16x8 rim w/4.75 backspacing, the additional 1" of rim will be on the outside edge and you will have the same amount of clearance between the rim and suspension components. if you went with a wider tire on the new rims, you will not have enough clearance and will need either spacers (according to how much increase in tread width) or a new rim with less backspacing (according to how much increase in tread width) in order to clear your suspension parts.

if you ever do need to get spacers, you definitely want the type that are pictured above since they do not "share" the lugs, but provide their own. when running spacers, you will definitely want to check the torque more often than usual. they also will wear more on things like wheel bearings, will increase your turning radius, and may have undesirable affects on road.

since you went with a wider rim, 8", you want less backspacing so that your tires will clear the UCAs. whenever you pick up some used rims, make sure to ask what type of vehicle they came off of. if it came off a yota, chances are they'll work for you.

Elton · 10-28-2009, 01:02 PM

im not sure how much it still sits on the hub ill look at it a little more when i do my brakes

10-25-2009, 10:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	what wheels are you gonna use ? __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

10-26-2009, 02:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,527	1/4" Mr. Gasket spacers... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-2376/ __________________ '96-'02 gone: '92

10-26-2009, 03:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	whats the back spacing ? __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

10-26-2009, 03:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	just 1/4'' spacers up front is enough __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

10-26-2009, 09:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	what size wheels 15'' ? __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

10-26-2009, 03:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
96Tacoma4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 29	The rims I bought are Mickey Thompson Classic II, and I 'll either be using 265/75/16 tires, or if I lift my truck I will be using 285/75/16 tires

10-26-2009, 03:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
96Tacoma4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 29	Not exactly sure, I think they are the same as stock (4.25" or 4.50") Also, just thought of something - can I not just buy 2 of the 1/4" spacers so that I have a 1/2" spacer?

10-26-2009, 09:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
96Tacoma4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 29	the thing is though when I put my front rim on and tightened the lug nuts, the rim didn't even spin, so I'm not sure if a 1/4" spacer is enough

10-27-2009, 08:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
96Tacoma4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 29	no, 16x8

10-27-2009, 08:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
mastacox Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 2,650	Here's the problem, even the 1/4" spacers might not be a great idea because your studs might not be long enough to get enough thread engagement on the nut. 1/2" of spacers definitely wouldn't work, and would be dangerous on the road. Also, I don't think those rims you have are hub centric, but your truck is designed for hub-centric rims which means they might vibrate. Your options are to grind the rim down in the spots it is rubbing on the caliper, or get some quality spacers like the Spidertrax ones because they bolt on to your existing studs and have a whole second set of studs in them for bolting up the wheel. Those 1/4" spacers are asking for trouble IMO, I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole. I thought the Spidertrax spacers were too big for me when I was getting new rims for my 4Runner, so I ended up designing my own set of 3/4" spacers and had them machined at a local machine shop. I had to cut off about a 1/4" from my stock studs to get them to work, but it was worth it for me. __________________ Brian 1998 4Runner SR5 Last edited by mastacox; 10-27-2009 at 08:51 AM.

10-27-2009, 02:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
96Tacoma4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 29	But if I get bigger tires, the rims might not rub anymore, but the tires will

10-27-2009, 03:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
mastacox Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 2,650	So get new rims? Seriously, if those rims are really 16x8's and they rub on your calipers that badly, they aren't a very good choice for your truck IMO... As I said, my advice would be to steer away from the 1/4" spacers, they are dangerous and inconvenient. __________________ Brian 1998 4Runner SR5

10-27-2009, 03:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	im running 1/4'' spacers theres way more than enough threads left __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

10-28-2009, 12:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
highonpottery Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Citrus Hts., CA Posts: 255	sounds like your new rims arent' gonna work for you. what size were your original rims, 16x7? technically your brake calipers will sit "inside" of your rim, so if you're hitting your calipers, then it sounds like your rims aren't big enough in diameter to clear them and wheel spacers will not help you. you could get away with spacers if the rim clears everything but the tires don't - which is more common. if you had 16x7 rims w/ 4.75 backspacing and decided on a 16x8 rim w/4.75 backspacing, the additional 1" of rim will be on the outside edge and you will have the same amount of clearance between the rim and suspension components. if you went with a wider tire on the new rims, you will not have enough clearance and will need either spacers (according to how much increase in tread width) or a new rim with less backspacing (according to how much increase in tread width) in order to clear your suspension parts. if you ever do need to get spacers, you definitely want the type that are pictured above since they do not "share" the lugs, but provide their own. when running spacers, you will definitely want to check the torque more often than usual. they also will wear more on things like wheel bearings, will increase your turning radius, and may have undesirable affects on road. since you went with a wider rim, 8", you want less backspacing so that your tires will clear the UCAs. whenever you pick up some used rims, make sure to ask what type of vehicle they came off of. if it came off a yota, chances are they'll work for you. __________________ 1993 X-Cab - 4wd - 5spd - 22re - 200k miles (no rebuilds...yet) \| 31" Michelins \| factory 4.88s \| LockRight (R) \| diff breathers \| RockTech IFS Truss \| OME leafs, shocks and steering dampener \| SDORI BJ spacers \| removed swaybar \| Cobra 76xtr CB \| nerf bars \| "RastaJack" antenna ball \| next: timing chain, 33s and armor 2002 UZJ100 Land Cruiser - in progress 2001 Corolla S - cold/rainy DD 2001 SV650 naked - nice weather DD Last edited by highonpottery; 10-28-2009 at 12:54 PM.

10-28-2009, 01:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,647	im not sure how much it still sits on the hub ill look at it a little more when i do my brakes __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

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