A salesperson at a Big O tire store told me not to get wheel spacers as my ride quality will suffer......is that true, and why?
Wheel spacers and ride quality question
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It can if you get cheap spacers, because it is difficult to get them centric with hub. I don't notice a difference with mine on, but I think spresso mentioned something, was it impacts turning radius??
.yes.
I've had them for years now (on the 80 and now the 100) and haven't noticed any detrimental effects at all. I like the wider stance for looks and stability. It could be argued that it improves ride quality by improving stability, especially on a lifted truck. Can't say I've noticed any difference in turning radius either- not saying it isn't true, just that it's small enough that I haven't noticed it at all. Just my 2 cents...
As covered, just be sure you get some quality ones. I tried some and believe they were a little off (hub centric) and pretty much ruined a set of tires... Took em' off and back to normal, but I know there are a lot of people using them with no problems.
For sale, 4-1inch wheel spacers
For sale, 4-1inch wheel spacers
If you want the best I have found (1.25" spacer) talk to Fred at
Wheeladapter.com/
His are both wheel and hub centric, so no messing with getting them centered.
He thought his Tundra spacers would work so sent those out. Well they fit rear but not front, so I drew up extra machining to clear front hubs and sent them back and here there are: 100 series front 1.25" hub and wheel centric spacers.
Don't know how he prices these, but smooth as silk everytime I put them on.
Wheeladapter.com/
His are both wheel and hub centric, so no messing with getting them centered.
He thought his Tundra spacers would work so sent those out. Well they fit rear but not front, so I drew up extra machining to clear front hubs and sent them back and here there are: 100 series front 1.25" hub and wheel centric spacers.
Don't know how he prices these, but smooth as silk everytime I put them on.
That's awesome! Been thinking about this recently. I didn't know if the front was possible, was waiting for some time to pop off a front wheel and take some measurements. I have spoken to Fred about the rear Tundras, how did yours fit? Looks like he may have another order in the near future!
edit: I'm actually thinking 1" rear (I think he said he could do those) and 1.25" front, though I would go 1" all around if it were possible (not sure there is enough clearance on the front hub for that thin of spacer and still retain the hub-centric ring).
edit: I'm actually thinking 1" rear (I think he said he could do those) and 1.25" front, though I would go 1" all around if it were possible (not sure there is enough clearance on the front hub for that thin of spacer and still retain the hub-centric ring).
Think the perfect setup would be 1" rear and 1.25" fronts. Front 1" centric spacers MIGHT be possible but the machining costs may be prohibitive.
Looking at my drawings, current spacers, and photos of hub, not much material left to hold hub centric ring after making it 0.25" thinner.
The front hubs have some recesses in it, that could provide more beef, but then shapes are not simple machining operations. See if Fred thinks either will work, he knows his stuff.
The reliefs for hub nuts take a fair amout of material out of ring already.
Looking at my drawings, current spacers, and photos of hub, not much material left to hold hub centric ring after making it 0.25" thinner.
The front hubs have some recesses in it, that could provide more beef, but then shapes are not simple machining operations. See if Fred thinks either will work, he knows his stuff.
The reliefs for hub nuts take a fair amout of material out of ring already.
Got `em, they are just about perfect. I ended up with 1.25" all around. The truck looks much better now. Only problem, five of the supplied lug nuts were stretched/stripped, and one even had a scallop of material cut out of one end. So inspect the nuts when you receive them. Otherwise, very happy, the machining was nice and the spacers fit perfectly front and back, and best of all I still retain the hub-centric rings to center the wheels.
So you got the special order remachined fronts?
What did he charge for them?
May be calling Fred today!
Wouldn't use them if they were free and/or if I was paid to use them. Maybe/possibly on a dedeciated trail rig. Not something I drive around often. Sure as heck don't need them on the 100.
Why not? These spacers or any spacers?
With my lift, the stance in the front is way too narrow (like everyone else) so a good hub/wheel centric spacer would be fantastic.
Think we are veering in to a religious area. Wheel adapters have some bad press. There have been cheap adapters which failed. Folks who have not rechecked all the lug nuts now that they have double the number. Non centric adapters that took a lot of luck to get bolted up so they would not vibrate. So some folks look at all the potential issues and say my religion is they are evil, I will stay away from all of them and be safe.
Other folks will say I see the issues, know how to avoid the bad ones, so my religion is some are okay.
I run these spacers on my front in winter on highway and off, so I have option to run chains. I feel these are well made and Fred is one of the best in the business.
Other folks will say I see the issues, know how to avoid the bad ones, so my religion is some are okay.
I run these spacers on my front in winter on highway and off, so I have option to run chains. I feel these are well made and Fred is one of the best in the business.
The only negative I noticed with my front end when I was running 1" spacers up front was the scrub radius effect on tight switchbacks. Doing the same switchbacks with/without the extra 2" of track width* was better on those tight turns without the spacers.
I did, however, like the little bit of extra stability on highway from the extra 2" track width*
* 2) 1" front spacers probably increase the overall track width, at rest, about 1" to 1-1/4" compared to stock at my 2.75" lift height.
I did, however, like the little bit of extra stability on highway from the extra 2" track width*
* 2) 1" front spacers probably increase the overall track width, at rest, about 1" to 1-1/4" compared to stock at my 2.75" lift height.
Three reasons:
1. Far to many negative reasons put forth by all kinds of notable experts.
2. They are not needed whatsoever. "Too narrow (like everyone else)"? Not for me. After 9-years owning and 9-years wheeling I do not need more track and I don't rub. Leaving things alone...doing as little as possible changes-wise is my motto.
3. Because of #2 (the fact the 100 does not need spacers) it makes it really easy to believe the experts instead of the few who are for spacers.
What "experts"??? Please cite sources, don't cop out.
Yes, everything is a compromise, but just because you don't like them doesn't make it gospel (as you seem to put forth all the time). Please back up your claims with facts. I carry a family of four in my truck and would not do anything to compromise their safety. For that reason, for example, I gave up on a rear drawer system in order to mount a proper Milford Cargo Barrier. That's also the reason I waited for a 2003+ truck, because I wanted side and curtain airbags and a rear camera to be able to see little kids behind my bumper. If I thought for one minute these were unsafe, they would not be on my truck.
While I agree "spacers' are dangerous (I hope this is what you are referring to), properly machined "adapters" (with proper lugs pressed in, as in the pics above) from proper material installed in a proper manner have no safety issues. It is basically like having a two-piece wheel, and you don't hear Porsche/Ferrari/etc. owners complaining about those.
or my brake rotors bolted to hats which go onto the hub, instead of a one piece rotor.
I have a set sitting on the shelf in the garage. I didn't have any issues with them. I used them when I had 315s and I dropped down to 295s. I think I might run them again next year in the winter so I can run chains. I bought made in US spacers made specifically for my truck, hence no problems. I think the people with problems are the people running the POS made in China Ebay spacers and people who don't know how to service their own vehicle and use a torque wrench. The wider stance can be helpful to the 100 but I noticed immediately that my turning speed and radius increased without them. On the trail this probably isn't significant.
Yeah, that's the key. Proper metallurgy, proper machining, use of proper components (e.g. metric 10.9 lug bolts). Use a properly calibrated torque wrench. No problems.
