Tires or Wheels to Remove Need for Wheel Spacers

GreenKnight

GreenKnight

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Hello!

I have a (convoluted) problem similar to this thread on narrow tires. Please let me know if you can help me figure out my options!

My '97 TJ has:
- a 2" suspension lift
- OEM gambler wheels (15x8; 5.25" backspacing; +19mm offset)
- 31x10.50 R15 LTX A/T Michelin tires
- 1.5" thick Synergy hubcentric wheel spacers

My problem is that:
1. I would like to remove the wheel spacers
2. But I would like to keep the original wheels (if possible)
3. And I would like to keep tires at least 30" (31" if possible)

My off-road mechanic at first thought the spacers could come off without issue, but found that the wheels were hitting the inside of the lower control arms when the spacers are off. When I discussed options with the mechanic, they advised that I switch to wheels with different backspacing (no specific recommendations on what backspacing would work though).

I know that the spacers aren't necessarily harmful, but I prefer the look without them anyway. I'd also love to keep the original wheels, but not if it means having awkwardly small tires with my 2" lift.

Would narrower tires be an option? Or dropping to a 30" (again, would rather not drop tire size)?
If I really do have to replace my wheels, how do I know what backspacing to look for?

Photos attached - I appreciate any advice!

Photo 2.jpg


Photo 1.jpg
 
Somebody once wrote this:

"I much prefer the higher performance of a rig on the trail that can get to full lock rather than a 3 point turn that won't let you hold the line. Handicapping your rig"s capabilities over some misguided attempt to protect something that doesn't need protecting is silly.

Besides all that, it's pretty easy to avoid all of this, when you hear it rubbing, turn it back until it stops, it's really not that hard to do."

I forget who wrote it, mrmaine? mrspain? mrexplain? guess it doesn't matter.
 
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pagrey said:
Somebody once wrote this:

"I much prefer the higher performance of a rig on the trail that can get to full lock rather than a 3 point turn that won't let you hold the line. Handicapping your rig"s capabilities over some misguided attempt to protect something that doesn't need protecting is silly.

Besides all that, it's pretty easy to avoid all of this, when you hear it rubbing, turn it back until it stops, it's really not that hard to do."

I forget who wrote it, mrmaine? mrspain? mrexplain? guess it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
I would strongly agree. Never understood why owners would add washers (🤡) to their steering stops for some more tire. Which doesnt make any difference in the long run.

However, how much turning radius is lost with the washers? That I dont know. That being said, I still wouldn't do it.
 
Last edited:
GreenKnight said:
Hello!

I have a (convoluted) problem similar to this thread on narrow tires. Please let me know if you can help me figure out my options!

My '97 TJ has:
- a 2" suspension lift
- OEM gambler wheels (15x8; 5.25" backspacing; +19mm offset)
- 31x10.50 R15 LTX A/T Michelin tires
- 1.5" thick Synergy hubcentric wheel spacers

My problem is that:
1. I would like to remove the wheel spacers
2. But I would like to keep the original wheels (if possible)
3. And I would like to keep tires at least 30" (31" if possible)

My off-road mechanic at first thought the spacers could come off without issue, but found that the wheels were hitting the inside of the lower control arms when the spacers are off. When I discussed options with the mechanic, they advised that I switch to wheels with different backspacing (no specific recommendations on what backspacing would work though).

I know that the spacers aren't necessarily harmful, but I prefer the look without them anyway. I'd also love to keep the original wheels, but not if it means having awkwardly small tires with my 2" lift.

Would narrower tires be an option? Or dropping to a 30" (again, would rather not drop tire size)?
If I really do have to replace my wheels, how do I know what backspacing to look for?

Photos attached - I appreciate any advice!

View attachment 150406

View attachment 150407
Click to expand...
If it was me, I would see if you could mount some 9.5inch wide tires on it and see how they perform.
 
GreenKnight said:
I know that the spacers aren't necessarily harmful, but I prefer the look without them anyway.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't think you can see the spacers; and offset wheels are going to look the same as current wheels with spacers. Am I missing something?

Or...
You could try a smaller 1" spacer and see if you that gives you enough clearance, (and look the look you want}.
 
Thank you for the feedback everyone.

So it seems like the trade-off is:
- add washers to steering stops, reducing turn radius (is it really reduced enough to noticeably degrade performance on the trail?)
- spacers off and stop turning when I hear rubbing (isn't that also basically reducing my turn radius? so there's really no damage that could result from this?)

- or narrower tires - what would be the performance drawback there? (besides cost of new tires)

@LONGJP2 I'm probably the one missing something - If you mean that removing spacers but changing wheels would achieve the same effect - that's my understanding too, except that more people recommend that to me over spacer "risks." I love the oem wheels anyway, so that's why I'd rather use a narrower tire if that would work...unless 31x9.5 inch tires are bad idea for reasons I'm ignorant of.
 
GreenKnight said:
So it seems like the trade-off is:
- add washers to steering stops, reducing turn radius (is it really reduced enough to noticeably degrade performance on the trail?)
- spacers off and stop turning when I hear rubbing (isn't that also basically reducing my turn radius? so there's really no damage that could result from this?)
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with adding the washers. Without them you will still be able to turn tighter if you really need to, the tires rubbing wont stop you. You will scrape off paint from the control arms and roughen up the tires a bit but that's not a big deal, at least to me.
 
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GreenKnight said:
I love the oem wheels anyway, so that's why I'd rather use a narrower tire if that would work...unless 31x9.5 inch tires are bad idea for reasons I'm ignorant of.
Click to expand...
I had a CJ with 33 x 9.50. No issues, if you can find one you like.

I'm currently running a 1" spacer with my stock Moab wheels (and 33s). I too would like to eliminate the spacers. Only because it would be one less thing to remove & maintain when servicing brakes, axles, etc. Probably won't mess with it till I change tire and/or wheel size.
 
billiebob said:
Adding a washer or 2 to the steering stops might fix this. I never noticed a difference in turning radius.
Virtually a free, fast, driveway fix. Check the link in post 3.
Click to expand...
2 washers have a negative impact on turning radius. Enough so, that @bobthetj03 tried two (2) washers and claimed it took enough factory turning radius away from his TJ that he made the choice to take them off. See his experience feedback, post #5, in the link you mentioned.

Fact: The washer mod is not, “free,” as you claim. Your Jeep’s factory turning radius is given up for some tire width.
 
GreenKnight said:
- or narrower tires - what would be the performance drawback there? (besides cost of new tires)
Click to expand...
Actually you will gain performance in 2 areas.
1 - Gaining more turning radius. Making tighter turns like you could when you were stock. Brining you back to a factory engineered Jeep TJ.
2 - The thinner tires will, in theory, be lighter weight than an identical tire that is 1 inch wider. It will also create less friction between the tire and the surface in which it’s being driven on. Lighter weight and less rolling mass/friction means more power to the wheel/tire combo. Following basic theory, better braking could be a result of it too. All of this measurable? I cant answer that, as I am not an engineer.
 
I ended up just putting one washer on each stop. it was enough for my setup to clear, but not a very noticable drawback on turning radius. Ideally, 4" of backspacing should get you close enough without kicking the tires past the flares too much. Do they even make a 31x9.50x15" tire?
 
Thanks for all the input, that helps a ton.

I still would prefer no spacers, but I'm understanding the thinking behind having spacers a bit more now...

@bobthetj03 That was one question I had about the narrower tire option (switching to 30" tires, then questioning the 2" lift). I believe my wheels (oem gamblers) have 5.25" backspacing based on another post on this forum — would that then be too much compared to 4"?

@Fouledplugs Although, very interesting about the advantages of a narrower tire. I'm curious, what's your setup?

At least it seems like I could experiment - radius/rubbing with the spacers off with 1 washer vs. no washer.
 
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