I bring this question here because most of you are into bigger tires and lifts and may have an answer for me. I know what effect wheel spacers have on ball joints and wheel bearings, but I was kind of wondering if anyone's really had some long-term experience with them. Here's the skinny:

My 95 1 ton crewcab weighs 9100 lbs. I am currently running 44 inch Ground Hawgs on 16.5x12 Weld Scorpio wheels. These wheels and tires are only 8 months old. Last week I tried on a set of 49 inch Iroks on 17x12 inch Weld Mountain Crushers. I loved the tires, but not the wheels. I decided to wait and just buy the 49s in a 16.5 inch size. I love my wheels, and I have talked to Interco about using a 12 inch wheel and they recommend it with the 16.5s due to the bead (or lack thereof ) design. My problem is this....The 12 inch wide wheels don't have the backspacing I need to fit on the right front and clear the high-steer arm I have there...The tire BARELY RUBS the tie rod end. Has anyone run wheel spacers (THE HIGH-QUALITY T6061 ALUMINUM BOLT-ON STYLE) long enough to know if they'll hold up. I'll be using an inch-and-a-half thick spacer. I use my pickup primarily for the interstate and around town. Yep, it's a poser....although I did build it to go drift-bustin' and that's definitely NOT out of the question. It's not a show truck by any means. Thank you for ANY comments.


Cody

 

Well, I wasn't going to comment since I don't use wheel spacers, but since you asked for ANY comments...

The width of those 49's plus the spacers are going to be murder on your front end. Expect to be replacing bj's at a steady rate...

 

The wheel spacers you mentioned are just fine, I used a set on my Zuk but it weighs all of 2500 pounds. You're talking about 9000 pounds with almost pounds in tire/wheel hanging off of each of them. Not only will you be replacing ball joints several times per yeat but you WILL break axles. The 49" IROK is 21" wide, with that spacer you're pushing the weight way too far out for your front axle to handle. The spacers are just fine and will never give you a problem in themselves but if you go this route be ready for some major destruction. Besides all that why would you put an IROK on a mostly street driven vehicle after what Fishy posted with his bald 40's after 6 months? I think you'd be much better to stick with the Hawgs, but that's just my opinion.

Please don't think I'm trying to rain on your parade Cody, I love your truck. But I had to replace a lot of front end components on the little Zuk that I owned when I had spacers and that was with 31" tires (and a fair amount of abuse). I think the IROKS with the spacer combo will leave your truck in the shop more than it will on the road.

 

Yeah, I knew about the durability stuff you're right about keeping the Hawgs. 3 out of 4 (with 9000+ miles on them) still look new. But I can't get over how great the pickup looked sitting 5 inches higher with the 49s AAARRRRGGHHHHHHH!! I wish 44s were REALLY 44 inches tall then it wouldn't be eating away so bad at me to get 49s. Thanks ivan for your comment as well. I guess the only thing I wasn't sure of was how well the spacers would hold up.


Cody

 

44" Super Swampers really are 44"

Hawgs are the worst offendors for running small.

 

Here's the $11,000 question.....

Anyone know where to find rockwells?
Pro, I have set my Hawgs against some 44" Boggers......they're the same size. Also, my friend here has some 44" Truxus STS tires and they're a whole 42 inches tall versus my 41 1/2.......Are the straight TSL'S better? I like the way they look, but if they ain't any taller....well, you know.
Cody

 

Rockwells: www.boyceequimpment.com/

NOW, instead of collecting on that $11,000 how abouts you just gimme that D60 when you swap

Justin

 

hey cody what inch backspacing are you running? i recently ordered the 40" hawgs and was wondering what size backspacing I need? I will be running 16.5x9.75 rims.

 

Cleatus, I've only measured the 42 & 44 tsl swampers, and they were accurate. My 44 Boggers were also accurate, but only when new. When they were well worn I measured them again before I sold them, and they were closer to 42.5"....don't remember what pressure they were at though. Point is you can rest assured that the tsl's rest truer to size than the hawgs.

 

95, The backspacing on these wheels is 4.6 inches. They don't pose a problem with anything I'm running now, although the tires do hit the leaf springs at full lock.

Cody

 

i am actually working on a deal for a trailer load of rockies (front and rear) for $10 a piece! i was gonna wait but since you asked

-cutts-

 

Cutts, how the hell did you stumble across that deal??? I'd like to build a truck with 4 wheel steer, rockies, 53" Mich's. Ah, dreams. Pro told me about a possible loop hole in state laws which would allow me to make a BIG street legal truck. I'm still researching it but if it's legit I'll be driving a monster truck.

 

hey now cutts, dont be giving our secret deal away!!! we still gonna laod up my gooseneck?

my 44 tsl's were like 44.25new

 

my dad and i started talking to a guy that knows a guy here in GA and he knows of a pile of rockies that is just sitting there. he said he was willing to sell them for $10 a piece....bad news, i never found the pile but i am still looking. i do know it is there.

BTW.....anyone know that if you go to an old mill where a millstone is used a lot of times ppl have taken a rockwell and bolted a water wheel to the hub and then the millstone to the driveshaft yoke for gear reduction? i thought that was an awesome idea. in war stricken areas in 3rd world countries is where you will find this mostly.

-cutts-

 

sweet...i wonder if they ever have breakge problems?