Gambler Wheels + Spacers

Yoda

Yoda

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
May 5, 2021
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MA
I'm planning on 33x10.5r15's for my 98 Wrangler. It has Gambler wheels that are in pretty good shape. Initially I was thinking of getting some 15x8 Cragar Soft 8's but I kind of like the Gambler wheels and the fact that they are aluminum.

I've never run wheel spacers before but it sounds like it might not be a bad idea. The Cragar Soft 8's were going to have 3.75" backspacing and the Gambler wheels have 5.25" back spacing from the factory. A 1.5" spacer kit runs $120-$180ish and new steelies would run me $400 or so. 1.5" spacers would give the same overall backspacing as the steelies.

Spacers have always had a bad rep in my head....is this still true? I don't do any rock bouncing or anything, the TJ is my DD and downed logs in the woods are usually its biggest obstacle.

***edit. After a bit of digging, Spidertrax always comes out on top and is made in the USA. $258 for all 4 wheels. So I can use my aluminum gamblers for $258 or buy steelies for $400. If I wanted new aluminum aftermarket wheels with 3.75" backspacing I'm looking at about $600.
 
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Yoda said:
I'm planning on 33x10.5r15's for my 98 Wrangler. It has Gambler wheels that are in pretty good shape. Initially I was thinking of getting some 15x8 Cragar Soft 8's but I kind of like the Gambler wheels and the fact that they are aluminum.

I've never run wheel spacers before but it sounds like it might not be a bad idea. The Cragar Soft 8's were going to have 3.75" backspacing and the Gambler wheels have 5.25" back spacing from the factory. A 1.5" spacer kit runs $120-$180ish and new steelies would run me $400 or so. 1.5" spacers would give the same overall backspacing as the steelies.

Spacers have always had a bad rep in my head....is this still true? I don't do any rock bouncing or anything, the TJ is my DD and downed logs in the woods are usually its biggest obstacle.
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I like the Gambler wheels, too. You don't see that wheel much anymore.

I think a 33x10.50 tire will fit on the stock Gamblers without wheel spacers. That is the way I would go, unless you want the tires to stick out from the outside of the fender flares.
 
TJRick said:
I think a 33x10.50 tire will fit on the stock Gamblers without wheel spacers. That is the way I would go, unless you want the tires to stick out from the outside of the fender flares.
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I'm going for a bit of a wider stance for better road stability and plan to get wider fender flares to match.
 
Yoda said:
I'm going for a bit of a wider stance for better road stability and plan to get wider fender flares to match.
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Spacer will give you a wider stance but I doubt they will do anything as far as on road stability goes.
 
I've only run spacers for around 250,000 miles, so too early to tell if they are problematic : )

That said, I've always done my own tire rotations and check torque on the spacer lugs every time. I've never had a lug back off.
 
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I ran 33x10.50s on gambler rims with spydertrax spacers. Looked great and no rubbing issues.
 
I reluctantly put spacers on when I went to my Ravines, but I have 12.5”
tires. I’m pretty sure 10.5” tires will fit without spacers. In fact, that’s what I’m planning to do someday if my tires ever wear down. I actually want a narrower stance.

That said, I bought Spidertrax and have had no problems after carefully following their instructions.
 
I say definitely use the Gamblers instead of steel wheels or aftermarket aluminum.
 
TJRick said:
I would love to see pictures of your Jeep with the Gamblers and 33x10.50 tires.
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BFB22181-D85F-47F3-9AA2-366204307E38.jpeg

The only photo I have. This was a great Jeep and had the MCE Gen1 2-piece fenders.
 
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LJBean said:
I've run 33" x 10.5" without spacers, but there was a lot of rubbing on turns before adjusting steering stops.
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I had to use washers on the steering stops with my 12.5”s even with the spacers. One or two washers per side.
 
I have the same wheels and run 31x10.50 15s, on it when I bough it a few months back and i have minor rub at full turn. Once these tires wear out, hopefully a long time from now i will lift it and run 33x12.50x 15s on it. How much of a spacer would I need to run now to avoid rubbing, and in the future with the 33s on it also. I may go ahead and but what i need for the 33s so I dont have to do the job 2x
 
Chilidawg said:
I have the same wheels and run 31x10.50 15s, on it when I bough it a few months back and i have minor rub at full turn. Once these tires wear out, hopefully a long time from now i will lift it and run 33x12.50x 15s on it. How much of a spacer would I need to run now to avoid rubbing, and in the future with the 33s on it also. I may go ahead and but what i need for the 33s so I dont have to do the job 2x
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That's a common issue with 10.5" wide tires. Add one or two washers to the steering bolt stops to cure the issue. Here's how...
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-adjust-the-steering-stops-on-your-tj.3230/
 
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Chilidawg said:
I have the same wheels and run 31x10.50 15s, on it when I bough it a few months back and i have minor rub at full turn. Once these tires wear out, hopefully a long time from now i will lift it and run 33x12.50x 15s on it. How much of a spacer would I need to run now to avoid rubbing, and in the future with the 33s on it also. I may go ahead and but what i need for the 33s so I dont have to do the job 2x
Click to expand...

I run 1-1/4" spacers with 12.50s and seems to work well. I'm on Ravines, though. Not sure if there's a difference.
 
Nothing wrong with wheel spacers as long as you buy good quality and keep up with routine torque checks. Personally if the tires fit without them I see no need to run them purely for aesthetics
 
someone here had mentioned Titan being a decent brand of spacers- hub centric- I will be running that same tire by the end of the month - if the gambler has the reliefs in back you can clear the oem studs and run a 1" spacer( my plan at least) on the Ravines but i will be making that choice after i get mounted up and make a bettter guestimate.

E818B59F-5793-422D-AD59-91851F491077.jpeg
 
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