Lug Centric Wheel Spacer

[NWForester]

I am in search of the opinions and collective knowledge/experience of you all.

This forum is rich with threads of folks looking to increase their track width in order to gain clearance for larger tires or the aesthetics of a pinched front end, and most posts point to a 1.25-1.5" hub centric spacer, and there are certainly some wonderful CNC machined examples available.

I am looking for a lug centric spacer because I have powder coated my wheels which has increased the ID thickness of the wheel and I want them to fit without removing any finish. I am undetermined about the thickness required as my tires are 285/75 r16, so the only advantage would be an even front and rear (which is a good thing), but the engineer in me says to keep them at an absolute minimum to limit the increased wear. What are your thoughts?

Some background on the truck:
The rear is lifted about an inch and the front is lifted about two inches with new LCAs and uniball UCAs. I am rebuilding the front end and replacing the wheel bearings. It is still on the jack stands and I hope to have it all back in service here in the next couple weeks.

Thanks.

 

[themuffinman]

You could try something like this:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-slip-on-wheel-spacers.679911/

 

[NWForester]

Thanks for sharing that thread. Those do hold potential and I have not run across that previously. It is really mind boggling how much tech exists on this site.

That link took me to the 70 series forum... And I have tried putting the link in myself with the exact same outcome. Weird.


Any other ideas?




...via IH8MUD app

 

[Bomar]

After they are put on several times the coating will come off anyways. Don't worry about it put the wheels on and some in the i.d. powder coat of hub will come off. Or take green or red 3M pad and sand it off.

 

[hoser]

I'd say go with 1" wheel adapters/spacers if you have OE alloy wheels. They are too narrow to be hub centric and so they will be lug centric anyway. I wouldn't worry about increased bearing wear. The factory wheels are +60mm offset and going 1" wheel still present a 35mm, positive offset.

 

[NWForester]

You guys rock. I have only posted here a few times and every time I get quality advice.

I do have the factory alloys, I should have mentioned that earlier. So far the best option for me that I can see is to run a 1" spacer in front and a narrow slip-on spacer like the one shown in the second post to get the center of the wheels off the hubs, match track widths, yet not increase the lever arm to the bearings excessively.

Are there any current sources for the 3/8 or 10mm spacers that you all are using?

 

[tmils470]

Since the spacers should be hub centric won't you still have the same problem with the paint?
If the spacers are NOT hub centric then you will have othe problems that are much worse than clearancing some powder coating.

 

[spressomon]

You guys rock.
Are there any current sources for the 3/8 or 10mm spacers that you all are using?

These guys are quality...been to their machine shop in Sparks NV when I lived there...they used to offer ~10mm slip on spacers...you might need to call them to verify: http://www.motorsport-tech.com/special/truck/toyota_s

Just know you will have 10mm, with the 10mm slip on spacers, fewer wheel stud threads engaged...

 

[NWForester]

Thanks Spressomon. You run those spacers correct?

I grew up down the hill from the Sparks/Reno area in the Grass Valley, CA area.




...via IH8MUD app

 

[Bomar]

I just wish motorsport wasn't charging $220 for a set of 10mm...just seems a little high since that is about the cost for larger with more material and stud and lugs cost.

 

[2000UZJ]

I'm not a fan of wheel spacers, but I did manage to get a set from shaggy (10mm slip ons). With 315's the side wall sits flush with the fender.

 

[NWForester]

$220 for how many spacers? Yikes. I guess you need to pay for the shop equipment somehow.

Does anybody have a set of Shaggy's spacers they want to unload?


...via IH8MUD app

 

[2000UZJ]

PM @SHAGGY101 and see if he can make some or if he has any left.

 

[Bomar]

He doesn't went down that road 5 weeks ago

 

[ntsaint]

So you guys are putting spacers on to gain 3/8" per side wider track?

Does that really do anything beside improving the looks? Help with rubbing?

I wouldn't mind spacing mine out a out an inch for sure. But have always been hesitant for some reason.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[Newps]

My tires slightly rub on the inside of the wheel wells at full turn and crossed (articulation) up compression. 3/8's more spacing would most likely eliminate this. 100's like skinny tires, mine are 11.73 by 34.57 inches on 18 inch wheels. Nitto now makes this tire in a 11.26 by 35.08 on a 18 inch wheel. I have no idea how people are running 12.5 wide tires on these things. Seems like sheet metal should be getting torn up. Maybe they just plan their lines so that they don't need to turn at full compression.

 

[2000UZJ]

So you guys are putting spacers on to gain 3/8" per side wider track?

Does that really do anything beside improving the looks? Help with rubbing?

I wouldn't mind spacing mine out a out an inch for sure. But have always been hesitant for some reason.


...via IH8MUD app

It pushed my tires out just enough to stop rubbing on the remote res cans, and frame. It didn't eliminate rubbing completely, but it certainly gave me a little extra room to play with. I also don't like the way 1"+ wheel spacers look on 100's, but I did want a little extra track width. The 10mm spacers may not sound like much, but it certainly looks much better without giving the "look at me, I have SPACERS" look.

 

[kennyao30]

This is what 1in spacers look like. I was rubbing on the resi's so I needed spacers.

I ordered mine from amazon. I have run them for about 1500 miles (off and on road) and haven't had any problems


...via IH8MUD app

 

[spressomon]

So you guys are putting spacers on to gain 3/8" per side wider track?

Does that really do anything beside improving the looks? Help with rubbing?

I wouldn't mind spacing mine out a out an inch for sure. But have always been hesitant for some reason.


...via IH8MUD app

Gave me just the clearance I needed in front, between tire (285/75R18) and the steering knuckle, to be able to run recovery chains without interference. And highway speed steering is a little less nervous with slightly wider front track width at typical 1.5" lift height/~20.5-21" front suspension height.

I've since installed the 10mm spacers on the back and 1" in front again as an experiment. So far I like it...but after some tight trails in Utah I might reverse my opinion But for highway speed stability its better.

 

[Joe422]

Installed 1.5" bolt-on spacers (and hub+wheel centric) front and rear on my '04 LX470, back in '04. First mod I did. I'm only on 285/60-18 A/T's, so no rubbing, no vibrations, etc.. for the whole 10 yrs and 190k miles I've used them. Noticeably better highway stability (esp on curved ramps).

Best thing was the stance. It brought the wheels out to the fender's edge, and finally had a confident stance. Looks perfect to me.
No noticeable tire wear problems. No bearing issues (knock on wood)... so far so good.