Advantages of wheel spacers? (1 Viewer)

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I've done some searching on this forum about wheel spacers. Aside from the necessity of wheel spacers due to a different offset wheel or the 'look' factor, what is the advantage of having wheel spacers? Or perhaps disadvantages?
 
I've done some searching on this forum about wheel spacers. Aside from the necessity of wheel spacers due to a different offset wheel or the 'look' factor, what is the advantage of having wheel spacers? Or perhaps disadvantages?
It moves the wheel out
 
im looking to kick my stance out a hair due to getting some body damage while on the rubicon trail. Advantage would be the tire is wider than the body thus adding more protection during body lean on certain obstacles etc...
Keeping the stock wheels while adding width without buying wider offset wheels
 
Wider = more stable. Thus year I installed 1” wheel spacers but more for helping me fit 37’s rub free than anything else.

The better looks, noticeable stability and the tire keeping the body off the rocks better were all secondary advantages.

The later two attributes listed has me thinking of trying a set of 1.5” spacers.
 
Re stress on components, my 80 went through a stage of breaking wheel studs (no spacers, stock wheels/tyres), during research it seems mine was not an isolated case, IMO this could be exacerbated with spacers.

Seem to recall friends doing it to their street racers (years back), one or two having issues?

Other than clearencing rubber from bodywork I see no advantage when used with an 80.

Regards

Dave
 
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You would need to use 4-6 inch spacers to get any serious protection on the sides, like frequently seen on Jeeps
 
im looking to kick my stance out a hair due to getting some body damage while on the rubicon trail. Advantage would be the tire is wider than the body thus adding more protection during body lean on certain obstacles etc...
Keeping the stock wheels while adding width without buying wider offset wheels

i have a set of the 1.5" Spidertrax spacers for sale in the Classifieds. I was running FJ Cruiser 17" aluminum wheels. Really needs the spacers to look right.
 
Looks stupid and more mud/dirt up the side of your truck.
 
Looks stupid and more mud/dirt up the side of your truck.
Looks better and more mud/dirt up the side of your truck

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Re stress on components, my 80 went through a stage of breaking wheel studs (no spacers, stock wheels/tyres), during research it seems mine was not an isolated case, IMO this could be exacerbated with spacers.

Seem to recall friends doing it to their street racers (years back), one or two having issues?

Other than clearencing rubber from bodywork I see no advantage when used with an 80.

Regards

Dave
If your wheel studs break either the lug nuts were loose or they had been overtightened and thus overstretched.
 
If your wheel studs break either the lug nuts were loose or they had been overtightened and thus overstretched.

Absolutely agree and guess overtightening in the past must have happened prior to my ownership but, it is odd that even the most meticulously cared for rigs have had issues.

Regards

Dave
 
i have a set of the 1.5" Spidertrax spacers for sale in the Classifieds. I was running FJ Cruiser 17" aluminum wheels. Really needs the spacers to look right.

Thanks for the offer but not getting bigger tires for a while, and I'm leaning towards a tad wider wheel offset.
 
Big disadvantage is scrub radius and increased stress on steering components as a consequence

Same issues as a different offset wheel though. Personally I like spacers as long as they don't push the wheel out a crazy amount.
 
Surely this will lead to more stress on the headgasket :rimshot:
 
Same issues as a different offset wheel though. Personally I like spacers as long as they don't push the wheel out a crazy amount.
True. Both are hard on things.
 

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