Wheels spacers
 

Going to need to add some spacers on the rear to get tires to clear box sides.Any brands I should stay away from?

Reg1952
What rearend are you using?

Go to Summit Racing.

I am using a diff out of an Explorer.

IMHO, spacers are spacers. Avoid using them if you can but if you have to use them I think they're all about the same. I'd go to a reputable dealer like Summit or Jegs...:)

Igot mine from wheelspacers.ca billet machined aluminum .Very good quality . You will have to call them to place an order . Mine were about $125.00 ea.

Here is another source. Custom made to fit my Mark VIII IRS from 5 on 4.25" to 5 on 4.5". Price: $90.00 + $11.50 shipping for the pair.

https://uswheeladapters.com/

___________________________________
48 Ford F1 - Darkside
46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod

"Happiness - 3 pedals and a 5 speed" :-jammin

I am also using an explorer 8.8 rear and needed to get 1.25" spacers. I got them through Amazon. I believe they were 110 for both and they are machined aluminum. No problems with them and they make the width perfect.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I'm somewhat confused as to why you would need spacers on an 8.8 rear in a Bonus Built. Do you have extra wide wheels on the rear? I haven't personally used the 8.8 but everyone seems to be recommending them. Are they too narrow? I definitely would not use a rear end under my truck that required spacers! :confused:

Hey Vern,
Like Topper we also had to go with spacers with our Explorer 8.8 in. rear end - it's just a little too narrow & the wheels didn't look right in the opening. I think our's are two inch.

There are a ton of decisions - If I had known going in...
That said it drives fine with the spacers.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1 351W/AOD

Well, yeah, but IMHO spacers are just one more expense and one more weak link that could be avoided by using a rear end that is the correct width to begin with. What is the width of the 8.8? The original was 61.25 inches if I remember correctly. I used a 75 Chevy 10 bolt under my 49 and it doesn't need any spacers even with 8 inch wheels with zero offset...:-huh

Hey Vern,
I used the "Tips & Tricks" article up at the top of the Forum to help in choosing a rear end. My overriding issue was to match the same lug
arrangement as the Mustang II front end we put in & I liked having 4 wheel disc brakes as my son would be driving it a lot.

I'm happy with how it drives but if I had it to do over I might go with a '57-'72 F100 9 inch rear end that matches the width better.
The 8.8 inch we used was from an '89-'01 Explorer which has a 59 inch
width according to the "Tips & Tricks".


Ben in Austin
1950 F1 351W/AOD

Okay, I did not know that the 8.8 was only 59 inches wide. I will remember that the next time someone asks for a rear end to replace an original. I guess an inch and an eighth could be made up on each side using wheels with more positive offset but it's good information to know going in. Are all Explorer rears the same width, and what about the 8.8 under Ranger pickups? Are they 59 inches as well, or do you know? :)

Hey Vern,
No expert but what I've read:
'90-'92 Rangers 8.8 axles are 56.5 inches wide
'93 - 2009 Rangers 8.8 axles are 58.5 inches wide
Ford Explorers have 8.8 inch axles that are 59.5 inches wide.

This link is pretty informative about Ranger & Explorer 8.8 inch axles.

The Ford Explorer 8.8-Inch Rear Axles


Good luck over there - Sorry about the highjack - now back to
your original topic on wheel spacers.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1