Wheel Spacers
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2018
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Wheel Spacers
The truck is a 2001 CCLB 4x4 that is slightly lower than stock and is running 285/75r16 tires. I would like to bump up to around a 35" tire and keep the current ride height with the current wheels I have, they are stock steel wheels with weld on beadlocks. In order to keep them out of the springs I need a wheel spacer of some sort, steel ones of course. My question is what is practical for a spacer size and would I need to cut the lug studs down to size to clear. Thinking 2" is probably a little wide for my liking but seems to be the standard, any less I will probably have to trim the studs? Have never ran spacers before, could keep running the 285s but would like to knock RPMs down a little bit and have some more clearance for off road.
Thanks
Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2,907
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From: Kinnula,Finland
May not apply to pickups.
My van with Dana 60 3.55 ratio full floating.
Needs 2" spacer added with 1/4 spacer to clear flush the OEM studs.
Depends on wheel design does it need to be flush.
Some wheels are stamped where the studs point out.
My van with Dana 60 3.55 ratio full floating.
Needs 2" spacer added with 1/4 spacer to clear flush the OEM studs.
Depends on wheel design does it need to be flush.
Some wheels are stamped where the studs point out.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I think what you should be asking is if your insurance will cover incidents related to a failure when there is a wheel spacer involved. You may be exposing yourself to more liability than you want to live with.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2018
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That is why I would only consider high quality US made steel spacers.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Henderson, NV
Rather than use the type of spacer that is held by the truck's lug studs and then has its own stud to hold the wheel, use the kind of spacer that gets sandwiched between the wheel and the hub and then get longer hub studs. That is much better structurally speaking.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2018
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Rather than use the type of spacer that is held by the truck's lug studs and then has its own stud to hold the wheel, use the kind of spacer that gets sandwiched between the wheel and the hub and then get longer hub studs. That is much better structurally-speaking.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2018
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FTE Chapter Leader
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Logistics Pro
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From: Southern OH
I have ran a set of 2" spacers from these people for 6 years now without a single problem, towing something over half of the time and plenty of off road use. 95% of the problems with wheel spacers are caused by improper instillation or using the wrong spacers for the application. A proper spacer installed correctly is as safe as any other part on the vehicle. To install them use blue lock tight on all of the inner lug nuts holding the spacer on and torque them all with a torque wrench, also make sure the studs don't stick out past the mounting surface of the wheel, and if you are using OEM wheels the spacers have to be hub centric. Also don't use the ones that go between the wheel and hub and use the same studs, that puts too much stress on the studs and can break them.
https://www.performancewheeladapters.com/ford-3/
https://www.performancewheeladapters.com/ford-3/
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2018
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I have ran a set of 2" spacers from these people for 6 years now without a single problem, towing something over half of the time and plenty of off road use. 95% of the problems with wheel spacers are caused by improper instillation or using the wrong spacers for the application. A proper spacer installed correctly is as safe as any other part on the vehicle. To install them use blue lock tight on all of the inner lug nuts holding the spacer on and torque them all with a torque wrench, also make sure the studs don't stick out past the mounting surface of the wheel, and if you are using OEM wheels the spacers have to be hub centric. Also don't use the ones that go between the wheel and hub and use the same studs, that puts too much stress on the studs and can break them.
https://www.performancewheeladapters.com/ford-3/
https://www.performancewheeladapters.com/ford-3/
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,087
Likes: 4,699
From: Henderson, NV
I have ran a set of 2" spacers from these people for 6 years now without a single problem, towing something over half of the time and plenty of off road use. 95% of the problems with wheel spacers are caused by improper instillation or using the wrong spacers for the application. A proper spacer installed correctly is as safe as any other part on the vehicle. To install them use blue lock tight on all of the inner lug nuts holding the spacer on and torque them all with a torque wrench, also make sure the studs don't stick out past the mounting surface of the wheel, and if you are using OEM wheels the spacers have to be hub centric. Also don't use the ones that go between the wheel and hub and use the same studs, that puts too much stress on the studs and can break them.
https://www.performancewheeladapters.com/ford-3/
https://www.performancewheeladapters.com/ford-3/
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Bahstun
Larger ones like 2 in, do as leverage point increases with the spacer adding stress to the studs
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,087
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From: Henderson, NV
Isn’t that the point of the spacer being hubcentric? Shear/sideways loads are taken by the hub, not the studs?