wheel spacers
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 148
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From: Kahaluu, Hawaii
wheel spacers
i saw some billet aluminum spacers in tom's or wild horses, can't remember which one.
anybody see better ones? or cheaper prices?
anybody using them??? Pro's? - Con's?
i'm using stock rims from a '94 F-150, but the offset is around 4 3/4, so i can't turn all the way before they rub on the radius arms. (35/12.5's)
so its either spend about $250 for a set of 4, or buy new rims for about $500
anybody have one fail? i'm worried about wheeling and this thing gives out, its only aluminum.
anybody see better ones? or cheaper prices?
anybody using them??? Pro's? - Con's?
i'm using stock rims from a '94 F-150, but the offset is around 4 3/4, so i can't turn all the way before they rub on the radius arms. (35/12.5's)
so its either spend about $250 for a set of 4, or buy new rims for about $500
anybody have one fail? i'm worried about wheeling and this thing gives out, its only aluminum.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
what kinda wheels are you buying for $500?? wheel spacers constantly need attention. I would get a set of steel wheels with the proper back spacing and not worry about it. if you offroad at all, steel is the way to go.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
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From: Southern Oregon USA
I wouldn't use wheel spacers. Especially on something that gets wheeled.
I doubt that they would keep your tires from getting into the radius arms. I run 35's on 8" wheels with 3 7/8" backspacing, and I still rub the radius arms at full lock. Its just part of running big tires.
Jason
I doubt that they would keep your tires from getting into the radius arms. I run 35's on 8" wheels with 3 7/8" backspacing, and I still rub the radius arms at full lock. Its just part of running big tires.
Jason
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kahaluu, Hawaii
i can get 15x8 mickey thompson's classic II for little over $100 a piece.
i didn't want to move the wheel stops, because i want to keep as much of the turning radius as possible. i'll squeeze out all i can first, and then if i gotta i'll move the stops.
i used to sell 'em when i worked at a performance parts store, about 10 years ago, and never had a customer complain about them, also i use to use one on my right rear on my midget (circle track), specifically to change the offset, i only needed 3 rims to get 5 different offsets, but only getting 3 different rollout, but then again that's only thirty laps or so.
Kemicalburns, i have my own reasons why i also think steel is best for off road, just curious, why do you say that.
i didn't want to move the wheel stops, because i want to keep as much of the turning radius as possible. i'll squeeze out all i can first, and then if i gotta i'll move the stops.
i used to sell 'em when i worked at a performance parts store, about 10 years ago, and never had a customer complain about them, also i use to use one on my right rear on my midget (circle track), specifically to change the offset, i only needed 3 rims to get 5 different offsets, but only getting 3 different rollout, but then again that's only thirty laps or so.
Kemicalburns, i have my own reasons why i also think steel is best for off road, just curious, why do you say that.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
well if you offroad and have nice wheels the road rash will seriously mess them up, steel wheels can be fixed and be decent. most aftermarket rims will actually bust being unrepairable vs a steel rim that will bend and with a BFH can be put back in place to hold the tire and get you home. sure thats what a spare is for but it would suck spending $100/rim and have one unusable after a misshap. very costly down the road.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
I can see where KB is coming from with the aluminum wheel debate. A few years ago, I would have agreed. But I think that wheel and metalurgy technology has come a long way in recent years. Most of the guys I wheel with run aluminum wheels. I run steel myself, mainly because I'm a cheap ba*tard. Not for any performance advantage. It has been many years since I've seen a flat tire due to a damaged aluminum rim tho.
My problem with wheel spacers is that you are dealing with up to 3 different types of metal being clamped together. They will all expand and contract at different rates. So, you will constantly be retorquing your wheels. I have dealt with many 4wd's trying to run these spacers, and they all end up getting rid of them because of the hassle. Either the wheels come loose or the constant working between the wheel to the hub destroys the spacer because they won't stay put.
I have also ran a RR wheel spacer on a limited late model dirt car because of a tire limitation to get more bite. But, we changed tires every third race and were constantly checking all fasteners between races anyways.
Jason
My problem with wheel spacers is that you are dealing with up to 3 different types of metal being clamped together. They will all expand and contract at different rates. So, you will constantly be retorquing your wheels. I have dealt with many 4wd's trying to run these spacers, and they all end up getting rid of them because of the hassle. Either the wheels come loose or the constant working between the wheel to the hub destroys the spacer because they won't stay put.
I have also ran a RR wheel spacer on a limited late model dirt car because of a tire limitation to get more bite. But, we changed tires every third race and were constantly checking all fasteners between races anyways.
Jason
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As for wheel spacers...... the real problem is at the front where I have never seen longer than stock wheel studs for a hub/disc setup and you won't have enough thread for a good bite on the lug with a wheel spacer between the hub and the wheel.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kahaluu, Hawaii
this is the one i'm talking about, dont know if others are the same or different
http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/s
http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/s
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