Wheel Spacers

pm203 · 02-20-2009, 07:59 AM

I was thinking of adding 1.5 spacers on my stock Rubicon Unlimited to give it a better look. I would be retaining the stock wheels and tires. Any negatives that i am not aware of? Thanks.

tricked919 · 02-20-2009, 08:28 AM

This has come up a few times recently - was dormant for a while. We need to send this to Mythbusters.

Google "wheel spacers" ...or go talk to an orthodox gearhead. You'll hear a lot of horror stories on failed spacers. Lots of people run them, but the school of thought that we have been sold is that you don't by Brand X when it comes to this. Spidertrax is known as the industry leader - hands down. Their spacers are double the cost of ebay spacers, but the theory is that with the safety risk you don't chance it.

Personally, if I was going to run them, I'd spend the $200 on Spidertrax and not find out the hard way what cheap spacers will yield.

pm203 · 02-20-2009, 08:33 AM

I definetely would spend the extra $$ and get the Spidertrax. I am just wondering if there are any other negatives. Or, is it a waste of time and money?

tricked919 · 02-20-2009, 08:41 AM

I imply "small tires" respectfully, but I think that with the stock Rubi tires adding 3" to the track width might be overkill. I honestly haven't seen full stock with just spacers. They're usually always run to fudge the backspacing needed for bigger tires.

jimb66 · 02-20-2009, 08:42 AM

Not to hijack, but does it add stress to the axle or any other component? Wheels being pushed out, weight distribution kind of thing?

JC KJ · 02-20-2009, 08:45 AM

I have Rugged Ridge Billet Aluminum 1.25" Wheel Spacers
also Spidertrax 1.5" Billet Aluminum Wheel Spacers They both are Great no Problems

pm203 · 02-20-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tricked919

I imply "small tires" respectfully, but I think that with the stock Rubi tires adding 3" to the track width might be overkill. I honestly haven't seen full stock with just spacers. They're usually always run to fudge the backspacing needed for bigger tires.

The stock wheels on the Rubi stock seem to be kind of inset. I was thinking that the spacers would bring the wheels out a little for a more aggressive look. However, I don't want it to extend the tires beyond the flares. And, maybe you are right. 3 (total) inches might be too much. But that is what Spidertrax offers for the JK.

**igofshn** · 02-20-2009, 09:08 AM

I've been wheeling for many years and have never seen a wheel spacer failure or heard any of the so called horror stories. I also have ran brand x spacers and there is nothing wrong with them. there isn't anything special about spidertrax except the anodized finished.

BiGEN · 02-20-2009, 11:17 AM

i run the 1.5 spidertrax wheel spacers.. been running them for about a year on 35's.. no problem.. they are about to come off.. since im putting new rims and tires on...

set of 4 will cost $100 instead of $200 =)

pm203 · 02-20-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiGEN

i run the 1.5 spidertrax wheel spacers.. been running them for about a year on 35's.. no problem.. they are about to come off.. since im putting new rims and tires on...

set of 4 will cost $100 instead of $200 =)

Will they make the stock tires stick out beyond the flares?

BiGEN · 02-20-2009, 11:26 AM

nope.. it will put them right at the edge.. i put them on when i was running my stock tires.. made them look really good...

tricked919 · 02-20-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igofshn

I've been wheeling for many years and have never seen a wheel spacer failure or heard any of the so called horror stories. I also have ran brand x spacers and there is nothing wrong with them. there isn't anything special about spidertrax except the anodized finished.

Do a google search for "wheel spacer failure " or "failed wheel spacer" - its not entirely a myth. I think the implication is that next to brake mod's, there's not really another mod that could be as catastophic under failure as a failing wheel spacer. The school of thought is that if you're going to do it, get good ones. Nobody is saying they're going to fail - but the point has been made by lots of people that when it comes to safety, why skimp on $80 for a set.

pm203 · 02-20-2009, 12:18 PM

From what I have gathered, there are cheap, washer like spacers and then there are spacers/ adapters that bolt right on and don't lose any thread depth with the lug nuts.

pm203 · 02-20-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiGEN

nope.. it will put them right at the edge.. i put them on when i was running my stock tires.. made them look really good...

any photos?

BiGEN · 02-20-2009, 12:21 PM

i didnt take any pics with the reg tires on.. sorry.. but my 35x12.50s dont even stick out even an inch..