RedHeadedStepChild
Proudly wearing my MC1R mutation!
I always thought the Patrols were neat even if they do look like the bast**d spawn of a wayward Land Cruiser and some floozy Series II Rover.
ONSC Chat (24 Viewers)
- Thread starter NCFJ
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elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
Depends ...
If <key word here> an appropriate spacer is used with a wheel that has too much backspace compared to OE, it can be used to get backspace, offset, track, and steering geometry back to OE specs.
I had to do this on the 73 when I went to larger diameter wheels since the OEM backspace / offset was unavailable. The result was backspace and offset that was approximately 3/16th of an inch off of stock specs ....
RedHeadedStepChild
Proudly wearing my MC1R mutation!
You make an excellent point. I had not considered that situation.
All other times, I'm sticking with my initial assessment.
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #1,064
I am going through just this currently with a set of wheels I like for the shop 80. They are 17" wheels and will clear the calipers as far as the radius goes. But the caliper sticks out past the Wheel Mounting Surface (WMS). The mounting surface on the wheel is fine but the wheel is close and will hit the caliper. I need 3/8 or so but will use a 1" adapter type spacer rather than shims. I can then use a deeper back spacing to bring the contact patch back into spec.
Agreed. What's the difference between spacers on a OEM offset wheel vs running an aftermarket wheel with less offset...nothing. Been running spacers for years behind OEM wheels on all types of vehicles from 4x4s to Euro cars.
I think the key is to buy quality spacers from a reputable company like SpiderTrax not some eBay junk that was machined at some questionable shop in China. This is definitely a part where you get what you pay for.
I think the key is to buy quality spacers from a reputable company like SpiderTrax not some eBay junk that was machined at some questionable shop in China. This is definitely a part where you get what you pay for.
Arizona Hotshot.
Sent from my SM-G920V
Sent from my SM-G920V
Latest gadget.
Simple to use and perfect for older radio/headsets without bluetooth capability.
Picks up bluetooth from your phone (I listen to Pandora quite a bit) and delivers it to my headset via FM radio.
Amazon. Only $20.
Amazon.com: Bluetooth FM Transmitter, SUFUM Car Kit Bluetooth Wireless In-car FM Transmitter Radio with Car Mp3 Player, Music Control and Hands-free Call for Smartphone, Mp3/mp4 Players with USB Car Charger: Car Electronics
Simple to use and perfect for older radio/headsets without bluetooth capability.
Picks up bluetooth from your phone (I listen to Pandora quite a bit) and delivers it to my headset via FM radio.
Amazon. Only $20.
Amazon.com: Bluetooth FM Transmitter, SUFUM Car Kit Bluetooth Wireless In-car FM Transmitter Radio with Car Mp3 Player, Music Control and Hands-free Call for Smartphone, Mp3/mp4 Players with USB Car Charger: Car Electronics
ordered.
thanks for sharing and much needed.
Basically turned the old fm stereo into a mini jam box that we have in the house.
thanks for sharing and much needed.
Basically turned the old fm stereo into a mini jam box that we have in the house.
The very reason I bought it.
Best part is I don't have to do anything to re setup the system when I get back in the car. They link right up and keep playing the tunes.
Hmm. Using in the house? If so it will need a 12V DC power source.
We have a mini jam box speaker in the house that we play Pandora through via Bluetooth for music in the house. I will now be able to do the same with the old fm stereo in the land cruiser while driving around.
That's exactly what the video says.
I'm getting the feeling no one watched it and are actually just commenting on spacers in general
It's a good channel. I need to go watch more of his videos!
elkaholic
Left turn ...freakin wipers!
Was at work and will admit to not watching the video in its entirety nor being able to fully focus on it .... Watched about 2/3 of it with half my attention, so that's at best a 33% absorption rate. Factor in my past 50 mind and we rapidly approach 0 
RedHeadedStepChild
Proudly wearing my MC1R mutation!
I watched the video, it was good,(and I've since watched a few of his others) but I also went in with a bias.
I already have a dislike of spacers, but the fact that the video was sponsored by a manufacturer of spacer lead me to further discount the positives he mentioned.
Major points (exempting situations where you are using them to with an aftermarket rim to RETURN stock geometry)
Screws up bearings.
Screws up suspension
Screws up steering
Increases tire wear
May give slight stability enhancement.
May prevent some rub from a wider tire (BUT change of steering geometry can actually CAUSE rub)
Seems to me like a net negative.
I know out my way, I see these trucks on the beach with silly-wide stances, and just shake my head. Are these guys really coming so close to the edge regularly that they need to widen the stance? AND if that's the case, maybe the massive lift, should be dropped a bit. You'll get a lot more stability lowering an inch than widening by an inch.
My $0.02 - There are a FEW good uses - Sam and Stan covered that ground. Beyond that, this is a mod high on aesthetics and low on function. But hey, I think skinny tires are better too, so...
I already have a dislike of spacers, but the fact that the video was sponsored by a manufacturer of spacer lead me to further discount the positives he mentioned.
Major points (exempting situations where you are using them to with an aftermarket rim to RETURN stock geometry)
Screws up bearings.
Screws up suspension
Screws up steering
Increases tire wear
May give slight stability enhancement.
May prevent some rub from a wider tire (BUT change of steering geometry can actually CAUSE rub)
Seems to me like a net negative.
I know out my way, I see these trucks on the beach with silly-wide stances, and just shake my head. Are these guys really coming so close to the edge regularly that they need to widen the stance? AND if that's the case, maybe the massive lift, should be dropped a bit. You'll get a lot more stability lowering an inch than widening by an inch.
My $0.02 - There are a FEW good uses - Sam and Stan covered that ground. Beyond that, this is a mod high on aesthetics and low on function. But hey, I think skinny tires are better too, so...
RedHeadedStepChild
Proudly wearing my MC1R mutation!
Now I will complete no work today. I have put forth an opinion on the internet and now must remain vigilant so I can angrily lash out with personal attacks at anyone who disagrees.
The point of the video was that spacers are generally a bad thing if they are increasing the offset of the wheel and tire combo. If you are using a spacer, like stan seems to be doing, to correct a different wheel to the factory offset, then they can be a good thing, with the only downside being that you have 2x as many lug nuts to keep tight.
That said, the stability enhancement of having a wider track width is not a "slight" advantage, it's significant. I had some 15x10s with a 3.5" backspace for a long time (with my cruiser axles) and I can attest to the fact that they screw up wheelbearings and trunion bearings in a hurry, so it's a big tradeoff. Not a big deal for a trailer queen, but a big deal for a DD (as moonshine is for me).
Now, spacers on a solid axle truck will not screw up the suspension (other than giving you a softer effective spring rate, not always a bad thing) but it will screw up your steering by changing your scrub radius.
What's the fix? Run a wider axle with a proper offset wheel
But it's hellaflush bro!
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #1,079
I am personally not a big fan of spacers, but as stated above I find myself in a position where they are needed to clear a certain wheel over a certain hub/caliper combo. I will use "adapters"
It has been explained to me by a wheel manufacturer that Spacers are basically shims and just hang on the lugs and the wheel then bolts on as usual. Adapters are what most of us commonly call spacers. Adapters bolt to the hub and provide a second set of lugs to attach the wheel to.
Adapters/spacers have always been a point of contention in 4WD circles. I think that they are just another player in the overall change that most of us do to our rigs. Most of what we do to our rigs has major affects on how it handles.
Just a 3" lift has major effects on suspension geometry and steering geometry. Bigger tires, same effect plus additional rotating mass working on the brakes and acceleration. Then we hang heavy bumpers and winches etc on them etc etc etc.
Point being, we make wholesale changes to our vehicles that have direct effect on it's performance and also safety. Spacers are just another product that can solve a problem or enhance one, just depends on how you use it.
It has been explained to me by a wheel manufacturer that Spacers are basically shims and just hang on the lugs and the wheel then bolts on as usual. Adapters are what most of us commonly call spacers. Adapters bolt to the hub and provide a second set of lugs to attach the wheel to.
Adapters/spacers have always been a point of contention in 4WD circles. I think that they are just another player in the overall change that most of us do to our rigs. Most of what we do to our rigs has major affects on how it handles.
Just a 3" lift has major effects on suspension geometry and steering geometry. Bigger tires, same effect plus additional rotating mass working on the brakes and acceleration. Then we hang heavy bumpers and winches etc on them etc etc etc.
Point being, we make wholesale changes to our vehicles that have direct effect on it's performance and also safety. Spacers are just another product that can solve a problem or enhance one, just depends on how you use it.
My take is, everything we do to our rigs, lifts, more unsprung weight, heavy tires/wheel, steel bumpers, sliders, roof racks, etc.... Affect our steering, wears out everything faster, etc.....
so if you need spacers to clear the wheel tire combo or bigger brakes, go ahead. I haven't ran them much but when I did it sure made the cruiser feel a lot more stable. Might have been a placebo effect, who knows.
I agree that a axle swap would be a better way to fo about it but that is a large $$$ investment vs a very small one for quality spacers.
so if you need spacers to clear the wheel tire combo or bigger brakes, go ahead. I haven't ran them much but when I did it sure made the cruiser feel a lot more stable. Might have been a placebo effect, who knows.
I agree that a axle swap would be a better way to fo about it but that is a large $$$ investment vs a very small one for quality spacers.
