Anybody go to wheel spacers after mounting RTT?

[JCruse]

I'll be getting a RTT soon and with a 2" lift I'm thinking a wider track could really come in handy in a high speed lane change/ emergency avoidance maneuver. Actually I've been thinking about it since the lift alone! Not to mention being top heavy while wheeling obviously. Adding width to compensate for the height and hopefully put things back in proportion. So is this common? Get a RTT > add spacers?

 

[Captain Sanuk]

I don't think a two inch lift would give you that much body roll. Adding a RTT will give you a bit more. I'd say add them. If anything the wider stance looks cool..

 

[scottryana]

I am running 1.5" spidertrax spacers they create rub on the fender lips since they don't tuck inside the wells.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Not me. I'm one of "those" guys who doesn't like adding a "variable" into the hub/wheel/tire function/attachment. I understand that with proper fit, torqueing and maintanence, they can be used safely, I simply don't want add another layer onto regular checklist by having to remove the wheel to maintain torque.

I'd also be concerned about creating a rubbing issue depending on your tire along with the width of spacer you choose.

I'm also not convinced it will make any difference. I went thru the same with my FJC, spacers wound up on the shelf after rubbing and no percievable difference on the road or trail.

Bottom line is that you are planning on adding some significant mass to the highest point of leverage on your vehicle. That requires adjustment to driving techniques and vehicle performance expectations. When I ran my RTT on my FJC, negotiating the same trails became a new challenge, driving the same highways made me rethink what my goals for the rig were and made the necessary adjustments...

 

[mechanist]

Love that trailer!

 

[FZJohnny]

I would like to hear more input on this subject as I am about to order a cvt when the group buy starts in April. I'm running a medium OME 2.5 lift with 305/70/16's on 16" trail teams fjc wheels with 1.5" spidertrax spacers and armor, hopefully the weight of the armor will keep me somewhat grounded
Any thoughts??

 

[JCruse]

Thanks for the replies so far but as for adjusting driving style, I can do that, but I can't get that guy pulling out of the parking lot at the last second to adjust his! There I'd have to brake hard and swerve. The FJC has a nice wide stance but the 80 track is too narrow to begin with.

FZjohnny: I'm running the same size tire and lift. Do your tires with the 1.5" spacers rub too? I was thinking of getting modest 1 or 1.25" spacer.

I didn't know that you had to re-torque spacers more than once, is this correct? And if so, how often?

 

[bajaphile]

I've run a lot of different bolt on wheel spacers but I am not a fan anymore. Another step in accessing axle/brake components and I did feel extra vibes.

I now just run wheels with 3.5" backspacing.... and no I don't have a RTT or plan on ever having one for many reasons.

 

[B Point]

315's....

 

[Mtbcoach]

Thanks for the replies so far but as for adjusting driving style, I can do that, but I can't get that guy pulling out of the parking lot at the last second to adjust his! There I'd have to brake hard and swerve. The FJC has a nice wide stance but the 80 track is too narrow to begin with.

FZjohnny: I'm running the same size tire and lift. Do your tires with the 1.5" spacers rub too? I was thinking of getting modest 1 or 1.25" spacer.

I didn't know that you had to re-torque spacers more than once, is this correct? And if so, how often?

Actually, the FJC and FZJ80 have track width within 0.2" of each other (63"), with the FJC's shorter wheelbase, most would argue that this is a disadvantage also.

Regarding other drivers...what are you gonna do then? If you can't control the other driver's actions, does it matter what you are driving? Most of us who drive a variety of rigs, towing trailers, pick-up trucks with cab-over campers know that one can make differences in driving to help reduce and/or avoid clueless drivers. Knowing I've got an extra load on top of my rig and I were cut-off by another driver, I'd not try an evasive maneuver, I'd hope I'd given enough room that I could brake straight and only avoid once I'm at a safe enough speed to do so. It's just a matter of knowing one's limitations.

Regarding maintanence...See the link below for one manufacturer's installation instructions, at the bottom...
"Re torque all fasteners after 500 miles. Visually inspect components and re torque fasteners during routine vehicle service"

It's as simple as understanding that with a spacer, you are mounting your wheel to the hub with 2X the hardware than stock and ALL of them need to be retorqued just as you'd check your lug nuts.

https://www.roughcountry.com/install/1098.pdf

Don't lose sight of what an "expedition" rig is about...simplicity, function, reliability

 

[80t0ylc]

........ So is this common? Get a RTT > add spacers?

No, not heard of it before. I don't think you'll get enough difference in performance to make it worth the trouble. Just heed the caution that is on your driver's sunvisor. 80's are great rigs, but their paved slolom course abilities are much different than lower slung passenger cars. I've owned an 80 for 16 years now and love driving it, but I'm well aware of it's pavement limitations. It's just something you accept and appreciate - the all around versatility of this great rig.

 

[axolotl81]

^ x1. I agree. I changed my driving habits when I started towing my bass boat with my 80.

I want to make sure nobody surprises me while towing so I just go A LOT SLOWER than a I would usually go.

It was never a maneuverable rig to begin with, but when you add something like a trailer or more weight your agility is just plain and simply not there.

 

[elyitus]

Not me. I'm one of "those" guys who doesn't like adding a "variable" into the hub/wheel/tire function/attachment. I understand that with proper fit, torqueing and maintanence, they can be used safely, I simply don't want add another layer onto regular checklist by having to remove the wheel to maintain torque.

I'd also be concerned about creating a rubbing issue depending on your tire along with the width of spacer you choose.

I'm also not convinced it will make any difference. I went thru the same with my FJC, spacers wound up on the shelf after rubbing and no percievable difference on the road or trail.

Bottom line is that you are planning on adding some significant mass to the highest point of leverage on your vehicle. That requires adjustment to driving techniques and vehicle performance expectations. When I ran my RTT on my FJC, negotiating the same trails became a new challenge, driving the same highways made me rethink what my goals for the rig were and made the necessary adjustments...

Do you have a picture of your fj80 front bumper?

 

[Mtbcoach]

Do you have a picture of your fj80 front bumper?

Nothing extraordinary, Slee short bus...

 

[elyitus]

What size tires are those? And what brand? I'm running duratracs but want to try something different next time I'm due for tires.

 

[Mtbcoach]

What size tires are those? And what brand? I'm running duratracs but want to try something different next time I'm due for tires.

Michelin XL's 9.00R16, click on the link in my sig for more info, hijack off...