Wheel Spacing / TREs

[collk22]

Gents,

I posed this question on the main tech forum after reading through 9 or 10 pages of confusing talk on wheels/tires that fit and didn't get a response so I'm hoping maybe you can provide some guidance:

I noticed that there isn't much space between my tie rod ends and and the inside of the wheels/tires - maybe 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Is that sufficient? Should I be looking at spacers or wheels with a different amount of backspacing? My assumption is that the wheels 'fit' since they're on there with no rubbing, but the mechanic who did my pre-purchase inspection made a point of mentioning that there wasn't much space so I've been a little confused as to whether or not I need to be thinking about addressing this issue.

Thanks for the help.

PS. Vehicle in question is an '89 FJ62. I believe the wheels are American Racing Mojaves with 33 x 10.5 BFGs on them.

 

[dbenke]

you're fine as long as they don't hit...mine rub a little and have rubbed a hole in the boot, but i'm going to replace them when i rebuild the front end anyway so i will address the issue then.

 

[CharlestonG8R]

you're fine as long as they don't hit...mine rub a little and have rubbed a hole in the boot, but i'm going to replace them when i rebuild the front end anyway so i will address the issue then.

HAMOM?

 

[dbenke]

It's possible, I was waiting for others to post to see what was out there.
I can wrench on my junk anytime...if the weather would cooperate.

 

[ErikinSC]

Just watch if you deflate your tires for wheeling, and then your tire rubs. IDK about spacers, but my TREs are close to my rubber - but 'No rubby, No problem"

 

[dbenke]

Tires don't rub, the wheels do.
When I bought it, it had 80 wheels on it with 1/4"spacers on it to keep them from rubbing, but there was only about 1/4"of lug stud catching.it was uncomfortable for me, so I put steel wheels on it (after I replaced the damaged studs) and ran it.
The wheels that are on it now were free, but with spacers, I would run into the same lug/stud problem.
When I do the front end, I will source some longer studs and put the spacers back in.

 

[collk22]

I appreciate the input - thanks guys!