Wheel Spacers?

Kyle_W

Kyle_W

TJ Addict
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Nov 16, 2016
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Spicewood, TX, USA
I have always heard bad things about using wheel spacers (for stock wheels to be able to mount 12.5" tires), however, I only need them as a stop gap until my current 33x12.5 tires wear out and I can replace them with 10.5" tires and then take the wheel spacers off.

What is the deal with wheel spacers? Can I get an expert on the matter's opinion?

Thanks!
 
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You'll be just fine with them.

I think my issue with wheel spacers is a few things:

1) When people try to get some sort of stupid spacing (i.e. 3", 4", 5", etc.). Personally I don't think I would go over 1".
2) When people do not get the proper length bolts for the wheel spacers, and then fail to put them on properly, toque them to spec, etc.

If you do all of that stuff correctly, you'll be just fine.
 
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Yep, if you can get wheels with the correct backspacing, that's always the first way I would do it. However, there's lots of instances where you want a certain wheel, and it just doesn't have the right backspacing. In that case, I wouldn't hesitate to use a spacer.

I've seen some of those morons running 3" spacers and such. I definitely do not condone that!
 
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I had to install longer axle studs in my rear axles because of the brake drums, but I wanted to make sure I had a VERY good fit.
 
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Proper installation is the key. I have friends that have used them in the JKU's for many years. I have been running 1.5" spacers on my wife's JKU because we went with larger tires on the factory wheels so it won't rub on tight turns. Eventually when she decides which wheels she wants I will remove them.
 
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Ok thank you for the heads up! @Jeepersteve71, what spacers did you use to get your 12.5 tires to fit? 1 or 1.5"?

Thank ya'll! :) If anyone has any that they'd like to get rid of, just take my money!
 
Keep in mind 1" wheel spacers do not fit all wheel types up front. The factory front studs are longer than 1" which will not allow you to mount the wheel properly UNLESS your wheel has recessed holes on the back side. 1.25" is the standard thickness that clears the front wheel studs.

Torque the nuts to factory specs with blue locktite and you shouldn't have any issues. Periodically inspect the aluminum spacers and nut torque.
 
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Definitely install the spacers correctly and follow the manufacturer recommendations! This was my stepsons Jeep. He only had the spacers on for about a month. They were on my Jeep when I bought mine, but since I went from 35" to 33" I really didn't need them. So I gave them to him. There was no defects when I shipped them to him, and I told him to find out the torque specs and use loctite to be on the safe side. Not sure he did either.
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Ahoragi said:
Keep in mind 1" wheel spacers do not fit all wheel types up front. The factory front studs are longer than 1" which will not allow you to mount the wheel properly UNLESS your wheel has recessed holes on the back side. 1.25" is the standard thickness that clears the front wheel studs.

Torque the nuts to factory specs with blue locktite and you shouldn't have any issues. Periodically inspect the aluminum spacers and nut torque.
Click to expand...

Well, I don't understand? The stud holes in the spacers are recessed, so a 1" spacer should mount up just fine to the TJ's studs? And then, I could just buy longer bolts for the spacers incase the wheels I have don't mount up correctly?


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Nashorn101 said:
Well, I don't understand? The stud holes in the spacers are recessed, so a 1" spacer should mount up just fine to the TJ's studs? And then, I could just buy longer bolts for the spacers incase the wheels I have don't mount up correctly?


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Click to expand...

Never seen a problem except the possibility of wheel studs being to short with drum brakes.
 
Nashorn101 said:
Well, I don't understand? The stud holes in the spacers are recessed, so a 1" spacer should mount up just fine to the TJ's studs? And then, I could just buy longer bolts for the spacers incase the wheels I have don't mount up correctly?


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Click to expand...

First off, use the kind of wheel spacers that you bolt to the Wheel mounting Flange. Those will then have another set of bolts that you bolt the wheels too. The Plain spacer where the lug bolts just pass through to the wheels are ALWAYS a bad idea.

The thickness is important because the studs installed the the wheel mounting flange need to be flush or sub-flush to the spacer. If not, they interfere with the wheel.
 
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Ranger_b0b said:
First off, use the kind of wheel spacers that you bolt to the Wheel mounting Flange. Those will then have another set of bolts that you bolt the wheels too. The Plain spacer where the lug bolts just pass through to the wheels are ALWAYS a bad idea.

The thickness is important because the studs installed the the wheel mounting flange need to be flush or sub-flush to the spacer. If not, they interfere with the wheel.
Click to expand...

Ok so you mean the actual thickness of the "recessed" part of the spacer? Just make sure your studs will fit through them with plenty of thread left?

And yes I wouldn't buy just a spacer! Only an "adaptor" with a 2nd set of studs.


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Nashorn101 said:
Ok so you mean the actual thickness of the "recessed" part of the spacer? Just make sure your studs will fit through them with plenty of thread left?

And yes I wouldn't buy just a spacer! Only an "adaptor" with a 2nd set of studs.


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Click to expand...

Like these
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I installed the 1.5" spacers. I had 11.5" tires on stock Canyon wheels, but 12.5" tires would have also cleared.
 
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