Wheel spacers??????

AR4X4 · **Posted:** Sat May 16, 2009 7:25 pm

I have an 05 renegade with 245/70 16 on stock wheels with no lift. Im not getting any rubbing and I plan on lifting it 3 inches in the future. I was thinking of getting the spidertrax wheel spacers mostly for the look. I dont know whats a good size spacer to get? Does anyone know if spacers will cause some rubbing? Any pros and cons on getting them? Pics.. Thanks

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 16, 2009 8:17 pm

Only one size really, 1.25 inches thick,
rubbing maybe depends on the tires,
Pros not sure maybe looks but I don't think so
Cons
instead of 20 you now have 40 bolts to check
some states do not allow them
I think it looks better to get different wheels esp. from the rear it looks funny with spacers, shock hanging out in the open etc.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sat May 16, 2009 10:00 pm

i had the same spacers.. spider trax 1.25in ...

pros-
better looks.. wont look like your riding on tooth picks.
handles much much better.. reduces body roll 100%
very strong as far as spacers go
comes with everything you need
great resale value
cons-
more lug nuts to worry about (even though none of mine ever came loose)
will cause rubbing.. i had mine with stock height and stock tires/wheels and they rubbed the pinch weld.
if your planning to use them to clear bigger tires (32's) you will have to space out the tire carrier
for the price you can almost get new wheels with correct backspacing.

with that said.. mine were great when i had them... but i found i wanted new wheels. so i bought new wheels with the correct backspacing then sold the spacers. now my back window opens without hitting the tire... and i lost 20 lug nuts. but if your in love with your stock wheels like i was.. just want a better look and better handling.. spacers are not a bad thing at all. they are illegal here but no one ever said anything about them during inspections.

LibertyGuy · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2009 5:35 pm

How are they with everyday driving? I was thinking of purchasing them after installing 245/70/16's BFG AT's (stock height) just for the looks. I was also concerned about rubbing. Are they easy enough for me to install in my own driveway or do I need to go to my mechanic?

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2009 5:48 pm

If you install them before you lift you will have some rubbing. If you own a jack, torque wrench and a lug wrench you can install them yourself, Also make sure you use the red loctite that comes with them! very important

LibertyGuy · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2009 5:51 pm

Cool, thanks!

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2009 9:13 pm

Hey LibertyGuy,
If yer in the market for spacers,PM Shaggyisland boy.He just offered them to me before he puts them out for sale.
My 245-75's are just fine withourt them.

AR4X4 · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2009 10:23 pm

Thanks everyone, Even though I like my stock wheels I think Im going to go for the custom wheels instead. What mesurements should I look for Im going to be lifting it 3" and I would like the biggest I could go on a 16" rim? I havent noticed allot of others with custom rims beside those black steel ones and rubicon ones. Anyone with custom rims?

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2009 10:28 pm

the largest tires you can fit are 32x10.5's or a 265/75/16... the wheels normally 16x7 with 4inch backspacing. some run a 16x8 in wheel but i'm not sure what offset.

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2009 2:24 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

the largest tires you can fit are 32x10.5's or a 265/75/16... the wheels normally 16x7 with 4inch backspacing. some run a 16x8 in wheel but i'm not sure what offset.

Actually the steel factory wheels in 16x7 have 5.5" of backspacing (the alloys are different I believe) and really benefit from a set of Spidertrax spacers.

Boiler · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2009 3:11 pm

I'm not sure how much it affects KJ's since they are more heavy duty, but shifting the wheels outward puts more radial thrust on spindle / bearing components.

All those lowered cars and small pickups in the 90's that had the wheels spaced out...bet a large % of them got bearing jobs much faster than usual.

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2009 3:43 pm

Ill be getting some for my CRD.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2009 3:50 pm

Boiler wrote:

I'm not sure how much it affects KJ's since they are more heavy duty, but shifting the wheels outward puts more radial thrust on spindle / bearing components.

All those lowered cars and small pickups in the 90's that had the wheels spaced out...bet a large % of them got bearing jobs much faster than usual.

i'm kinda tarded, but wouldn't rims with the same equivalent backspace as having the spacers do the same thing bearing wise?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon May 18, 2009 11:31 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

Boiler wrote:

I'm not sure how much it affects KJ's since they are more heavy duty, but shifting the wheels outward puts more radial thrust on spindle / bearing components.

All those lowered cars and small pickups in the 90's that had the wheels spaced out...bet a large % of them got bearing jobs much faster than usual.

i'm kinda tarded, but wouldn't rims with the same equivalent backspace as having the spacers do the same thing bearing wise?

Yep

Guest · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 12:12 am

Boiler wrote:

All those lowered cars and small pickups in the 90's that had the wheels spaced out...bet a large % of them got bearing jobs much faster than usual.

Both ThunderbirdJunkie's front wheel bearings have lifetime warranties and take 20 minutes to change, so he is not worried about that!

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 1:04 am

Don't forget the biggest con: You'll be off Troy's Christmas List!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 1:07 am

JL Rockies wrote:

Don't forget the biggest con: You'll be off Troy's Christmas List!

Boiler · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 1:51 am

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

i'm kinda tarded, but wouldn't rims with the same equivalent backspace as having the spacers do the same thing bearing wise?

I'd think all that matters is where the center of the tire is located, with respect to the bearings. How you got it there should make no difference at all.

AR4X4 · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 8:16 pm

So anyone have a pic with the spacers on there to see how far out the tires go?

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 8:28 pm

here is mine with stock wheels ... 1.25in spidertrax and 265/75/16 BFG AT KO's lifted about 3 to 3.5 inches with a frankenlift.

hope it helps!! i bought the spacers because i REALLY liked my stock wheels. but if you arent in love with them just buy some cheap steel ones with the correct offset. wish i wouldve done that in the first place. i didnt know the spacers cost almost as much as new wheels :shock:

Wheel spacers??????

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