I LOVE my KMC Monster Rims on my 2008 F250 but now that I am gettig new tires put on next week I am also debationg widening the stance of my truck a little. The KMC Monsters I have don't stick out at all.

I had a set of 2in spacers on an old Mazda B-4000 I had and they were fine, but this truck is a LOT bigger and heavier!

What is your experience and thoughts on Wheel Spacers on an 08 F250 diesel?

 

I pretty much agree with the idea that spacers add stress to the lugs and steering components. If you don't tow or push your truck hard off road, you can probably get away with it. If you must have your tires out from under the body (which isn't legal in some places), the more correct way to do it is with the offset on the wheels.

 

From an engineering standpoint:
- The wheel studs and lugs on an F-250 are very strong, as that is needed for load capacity. If you are willing to sacrifice that load capacity (ie, don't EVER carry heavy loads with spacers in place), the usual stud concerns can be avoided.

- However.... With regards to using spacers on the FRONT end: Any time you move the tire centerline away from stock (through use of spacers or modified wheel offset), you are changing the steering geometry in ways you may not realize. Which will result in handling and durability issues you can not anticipate. As a general rule, it is advisable to not tamper with things you do not understand. Especially those things that can kill you or your loved ones.
The more you go, the more pronounced the effects and higher the risks. From what I've seen and experienced, an inch or so on these trucks will have minimal effect. But 2" or more? That's getting sketchy in my book.

 

I just want to add....and it's not really concerning a 08...but if spacers are used to put 05-08 wheels on a 99-04 truck they put the wheel right in the same position under the hub as where the stocker was. I feel this doesn't add any undue stress to the bearings, lugs or whatever since the wheel doesn't "lever" against them. Am I right in my thinking?

I agree that using spacers to push wheels OUT from underneath the hub is not the best thing for strength and longevity of the bearings.

 

There are spacers that sandwich between the studs/wheels and there are spacers which bolt to the studs then have a new set of studs built into them. The latter is much better/safer IF you MUST use spacers IMO.

 

The sandwich style are usually fractional, where as the bolt ons allow for different patterns and much more spacing.

As was stated about the steering, if you do them on the front end, an alignment is critical. Caster, Camber and toe-in need to adjusted and figured not just set to a book standard. Ask your shop if they do caster/camber adjustment, most shops will sell toe-in as an alignment. Pushing the center of the wheel out changes it's contact pattern, I can't work out the formula right now, but if your interested herb adams has a couple of books out about chassis setup that are great reads.

 

I take it the 05-08 use more backspacing? It so, then yes, you are correct with regards to them not changing stress loads on the bearings or other suspension components, nor will it affect handling.

Doing some quick analysis, I do not not see it affecting the mounting studs if a bolt on style is used. Just make sure the adapter is design/made by someone who knows what they are doing! Not a place to try a pot metal chinese knock off..... The sandwich style will increase loading on the stud somewhat due to the longer moment arm. But sandwich styles are usually quite thin (well under and inch) so should not be an issue.

 

Oh, and for those wanting to learn more, do some searching on the topic of "tire scrub radius".

If you move the centerline of the tire outward, you are inducing additional positive scrub radius. Results?
"A positive scrub radius will increase steering effort, torque steer and kickback on bumps to a considerable degree. At the same time, a blowout or a failure of one front brake could yank the wheel hard enough to pull it out of your hands. The advantage is that there is much greater road feel and feedback so that you can feel when the front tires start to break loose in a corner. Consequently, this is often the set-up of choice on race cars."

Note: It is NOT unheard of for insurance companies to have folks on staff with enough education to know this.....
Having a claim denied because you unknowingly did something that ended up contributing to an accident? That sucks. Be careful out there....

 

I stumbled across this thread and it raised some big concerns for me. After the lift was put on my truck and I got the HE 821 wheels and the Nitto 325/65-R18 tires, the tires rubbed on the leaf springs during a hard turn to either side. So, TrickTrucks.com put in a 1/4 inch spacer on the two front wheels to keep the wheels from touching the springs. If I push it really hard to the right I can still get a little rub, but nothing on the left turn.

But from this post, it is sounding like my insurance company could deny a claim and/or I have made my truck unstable?

Scott

2003 F250 6.0L SD Lariat Crew SWB, Helo 821, Nitto 325/65R18, Skyjacker 4", Line-X bed

 

I owned a 1999 Dodge with 2 inch bolt on spacers. The new studs failed while towing my car hauler and the insurance company denied coverage on the truck due to the spacer. I would advise that if these type of spacers are used get the steel version. the so called aircraft alluminum ones are prone to stress cracks. (Just so you know i had the steel ones on the truck when it failed so they are not faill safe they must be checked regularly.)

 

Maybe. Unfortunately, that is the best answer possible - maybe.
Whether they do or not depends on a lot of things. Primarily being the insurance company and your past. Some insurance companies (like AAA) have been famous for years for trying to deny all claims for any reason. Others, like Geico, area spending billions on ads. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what is left to pay out on claims....

But if you are a long time customer with a reputable insurance campany, have filed no claims, and have a local agent that knows you and will support your interests, you're probably fine.

And just a 1/4" spacer? That would be tough.... The 4" lift on the other hand seems like a bit more risky.

Denials are USUALLY based on whether they can say your modifications could have or definitely did somehow contribute to a crash and claim. If you're stopped at a red light and un-insured driver rams you, not likely a factor. If you have a tire blow out and you lose control and take out another car, well, it's quite possible that you would not have lost control if you had not modified the vehicle. So there is room to deny. If you have a homemade 4" wide spacer and the spacer breaks and causes the wheel to fall off and you take out another car, that is clearly an easy call.

Yes, it is not as black and white as you may wish. There's just no guarantees. Carry GOOD insurance and minimize the risky factors.

As far as stability, a 1/4" spacer is quite minimal and you will experience minimal effects on a big heavy truck with power steering. Most would never notice. And if you have a steering damper, you are even less likely to notice.

 

so you all do not recomend the spacers for towing? i put 2 inch spacer on a 2004 truck, with 2005 17inch rim it look nice but, the lug spacer it just sticks out from the rim you just can barely tight the all nuts ,and i did't like that!!!