Is running wheel spacers safe when offroading? I mean the kind that bolt to the factory studs and then have their own studs to bolt the wheel to.

Just thinking that maybe I could run a 33x12.50x15 tire on stock 15x7 alloys with 1" spacers up front to clear the a-arms and no spacer in the rear. Anyone think that would work? Is it safe? I have a '99 4Runner with OME 882's and 1 trim packer up front and OME rear springs also.

This is just an idea, so let's here the opinions, and yes a 12.50 tire can be run on a 7" rim.

 

Anyone? Schaeffer, I know you have an opinion on this.

 

We all know I'm not an expert on anything, so my "advice" is just really my "opinion"...

With that said, I've seen wheel spacers available for Jeeps all over the place. And since they are all trail rated, it has to be oke for off-raoding (deep sarcasm)!

Seriously though, I can see how the flexing would create abnormal upwards pressure on the bolts, but as long as the bolts on the spacer are equal in size and quality to the ones on the truck I wouldn't see how it would make any difference.

I do have a question for ya though. If you only put spacers up front won't your front wheels be out farther than your back ones? I think it might look a little off unless you put spacers all the way around or got wider back tires.

-Keith

 

Yes, the front would be wider, but I believe the Camburg long travel kit does the same thing (wider front), and some Chevrolet 2500 trucks were built from the factory with the front track being wider.

My main pondering here is that it seems too simple and nobody has tried it yet, so there must be a reason, right?

 

It has definately been done before...what I would do is wait until the server gets reloaded tonight so that all the old posts will be back and then do a search and I know you'll find atleast a couple posts on it.

If you can't wait til tomorrow or whenever the posts get reloaded...go over to 4x4Wire and see what they have over there.

Just my advice, I know nothing about wheel spacers but I have been thinking about doing the same thing for a little while now...I'll be interested to see the consensus.

Fink

 

from what i've read on Pirate, wheel spacers (the kind you described) cause no more problems than wheels with a smaller backspacing would.

 

Yeah thats what I was thinking also...sounds like you'll be alright man!

Fink

 

FWIW, just about every vehicle made in the last fifty years has had a wider front track than rear. Typically, it is 1-1½" wider.

 

Here's a link to the ones I've been thinking about:

http://www.aor4x4.com/wheelspacers.htm

At 1 1/16" wider per side, do you think that would push a 12.50 tire on a stock 15x7 wheel into the fenders fully flexed (hah, with IFS that is).

 

Will 1 1/16" wheel spacers put too much stress on anything else, such as ball joints?

 

Yes. Any time you alter the stock wheel offset you are going to have adverse effects on suspension parts. This includes ball joints, wheel bearings, wheel studs, trunion bearings (for solid axles), etc. The additional stresses probably will not be enough to cause catastrophic failure but may lead to a shorter lifespan of these parts.

That said, sometimes sacrifices must be made in order to improve the capabilities of the truck.

 

those are way too expensive in my opinion. Marlin and All-Pro have them for $99 a pair.

 

I was thinking of going with a 1" spacer in order to fit 33x12.50 with minimal lift...maybe even 35's if it will work.

I'll look around and see what I can find and first, decide what kind of lift I want to go with.

Fink

 

You are correct, I missed those!

 

i have been thinking of doing the same thing. i have 33x12.5 on 8 inch rims right now and the inside of the tire is really close to the a arm. i have had mixed opinions on them but i am still thinking about getting them again.

 

Here are a couple of more places to spacer/adapters
http://www.performancewheel.com/
http://www.metalaction.ca/shop_main.htm

 

I run the 1.5" Allpro spacers. After doing the SAS and adding the spacers, my trac up front is back to the stock " 1 inch wider " than the rear. If you do this mod, make sure you re-torque the spacer lug nuts frequently!

 

problem is when the centerline of the rim isnt over the centerline of the wheelbearings.

since the weight is now shifted to the outside, the biggest problem is accelerated wear and tear on the bearing...