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HOW-TO: Run 16" Steelies Easily and Safely

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by Benson X, Sep 17, 2015.

  1. Sep 17, 2015 at 8:05 PM
    #1
    Benson X

    Benson X [OP] My build thread sucks...

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    If you don't draw blood, you're doing it wrong!
    I recently scored a set of nearly new 285/75r16 Toyo M/Ts on Cragar Soft 8 Steelies 16x8 w/ 4"BS. The price was so cheap that I was willing to do some modifications to get them to fit, but I REALLY didn't want to grind the caliper, nor did I want to run shitty universal spacers.

    After reading @KPT's awesome thread (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-studs-are-too-short-what-to-do.119883/) I got some ideas on how to tackle the install.

    ***Of course, I am not 100% certain if this will work for EVERY Steel Wheel/Offset/Backspacing, but this seemed to be the easiest, safest, and most-effective way for me to get them installed. DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK***

    • I contacted Lenny at Motorsport-Tech (owner/manufacturer of BORA Spacers). I had him make me a custom set of 10mm (3/8") Hub-Centric Spacers specific for the Tacoma. I previously bought a set of BORA Spacers from him, so I was confident he could make a good set.
    *there is also this company, which would probably be able to make the same thing, but I do not have any experience with them or their quality​

    1. I started by pounding out the stock wheel studs.

    The EASIEST way to do this is as follows:
    1. Put it in 4WD, jack up the front until both front tires are off the ground and put it on stands. Remove one Tire/Wheel at a time (you will be lowering the other side soon)
    2. Undo the (2) Caliper bolts, and also the (2) ABS bolts on the UCA and Spindle so you can swing the caliper out of the way *Zip-Tie it out of the way to ensure the hard brake lines and ABS Wire are not at risk of being damaged!
    3. Reinstall one of your lug nuts on the stud and tighten it down about 3/4 of the way.
    4. Put you socket on the lug, and give it a good solid smack with a hammer - this will pound the stud out w/o risking damage to the studs or lugs. Rotate the hub and do this all the way around.

    9wy9S2lEGtHUu7TDdysG6YR7xW2kx38oQhgecFww_2c395d03fcf3cb818465cce77d36e34863b1870d.jpg
    yH4hOXRRdzRyRbxkmdSkDdEi55K5Aq2l7wWzTFsl_b088aca2ec64e03c6fe7a85b466215f541765a02.jpg
    2. Install the longer Matrix studs.

    The EASIEST way to do this is as follows:
    1. Slightly bend the rear section of the dust shield backwards. This allows you to install the longer studs as you rotate the hub around. After all (6) are inserted, you can easily bend it back.
    hvQC6dUVHtOtG4kmd29irn9IPjmgXEXbWPw_RJ-7_b13c70694ab42fa0b028ae587de8e3e116b3fb9b.jpg
    OUtIgJ8yKXctgM79S2zxiQTRQa-2nnWJC8H47drM_bf355ac225631f1bea24a9d2a832d9757766dc01.jpg
    3uGBTgN9-PMwSPtw3l9V4uTuEFKhs3ikz0fEMdOF_ceeb07476ead823e7ba986d7e712dae36c2173d9.jpg

    2. You can now lower the other side back down, so the tire is on the ground and prevents the other side from spinning.

    3. Time to torque the new stud in place. I stacked a few (4) thick washers on the stud, and then re-installed the lug nut. I used my big breaker bar to tighten up the lug nut and "draw" the stud into place, but those of you with good tools or an impact wrench should have no problems. It took quite a bit of muscle to draw it completely flush, keep wrenching on it until it's completely seated:
    gJH8gWQIe-_Ipecy94f0trn2xzS_aIKBKfQ6YU7w_35e6380f9fd08e70437ff3733278ad9d581f692b.jpg

    4. After you've gotten all the new studs installed, reinstall the caliper and torque everything back down.

    5. Install your new wheel spacer. Here's a few shots of the 10mm (3/8") Spacer from Motorsport-Tech (BORA):
    5sbWmWfGtTPbGdH7Ftt57S8ZA2FDEKFp-gzMTHI2_bf5b2956e69270cec3a91ed0ae4f87aefe87d8b6.jpg
    4CvFUoo25EnmHipX54iHSDU6XRPndkK30t3Esd0C_05fc3a039376ca6db628cde8a5011632f0f63699.jpg
    4CvFUoo25EnmHipX54iHSDU6XRPndkK30t3Esd0C_05fc3a039376ca6db628cde8a5011632f0f63699.jpg

    6. I sprayed some Brake Cleaner on everything to clean it up, then installed the new Steelies and new 60° Conical Lug Nuts. Normally, I would get the lugs tight, then finish torquing them on the ground. In this case, I chose to torque the wheels down (in the normal 6-point star formation) while it was still jacked up to insure the wheel was centered and torqued evenly all around.

    7. You can now jack the other side back up, and repeat the process. *Remember to lower the opposite side when it comes time to install the new studs!

    I have been running these for almost a week with no issues at all - no new rubbing spots or clearance issues, no new vibrations, no weird tracking/alignment issues. They are definitely heavier than the 17" TRD Sport alloys, but that is also due to the obese Toyo's (10-ply E Rated).

    I told Lenny that I would post another write-up if the spacers worked (which they do) and hopefully send more business his way as I did with the BORA spacers. He should have the dimensions saved, so if anyone wants a set, you can call him and say "I want the 10mm Tacoma Spacers that Ben ordered!"
    :cheers:
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2019
    NuubTaco, DoulosXP, willie64 and 5 others like this.
  2. Sep 18, 2015 at 7:28 AM
    #2
    username

    username Fluffer

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    I'm running those same spacers but with ARP wheel studs. They work great, and I think the hub centric spacer is the key to success up front.

    DSC06862_5cdddcc93ebcd9bc8a87d8ca365b60ec060fa737.jpg
     
    Robertocritser and Benson X[OP] like this.
  3. Apr 5, 2016 at 6:03 PM
    #3
    SGTCap

    SGTCap Well-Known Member

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    Are those on the site anywhere or did you have to call and special order them? I've got a wobble that I'm trying to track down and this may help. Either way I'd feel a little better with the hub centric spacer vs the flat Wheelers spacer I'm running now
     
  4. Apr 5, 2016 at 7:49 PM
    #4
    username

    username Fluffer

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    Special order, I don't remember exact specs but it seems like they only took a week to get.
     
  5. Apr 5, 2016 at 7:55 PM
    #5
    Bennett707

    Bennett707 Station707

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    1. Lenny is awesome I've worked with him in the past

    2. Great write up Ben
     
  6. Feb 16, 2017 at 10:47 AM
    #6
    fishmando

    fishmando Well-Known Member

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    Back from the dead bump. Does anyone know if this applies to the 2016+ tacos?
     
    Noelbnetz likes this.
  7. May 3, 2017 at 9:27 AM
    #7
    recomr

    recomr Well-Known Member

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    Awesome write up! I recently bought pro comp series 252 and am in the same boat. Why did you get the lugs even though you went with the matrix studs? I am under the impression the matrix studs work with the stock lugs. Thanks man.
     
  8. May 3, 2017 at 9:42 AM
    #8
    Benson X

    Benson X [OP] My build thread sucks...

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    If you don't draw blood, you're doing it wrong!
    The steelies I put on there use acorn lugs, the OEM alloys use mag lugs with a washer. Different wheels use different style lugs.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. May 3, 2017 at 9:46 AM
    #9
    recomr

    recomr Well-Known Member

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    5100's. Eibach. ST Maxx 255/85. Bestop. Pro Comp 252.
    You are the man. Thank you !
     
  10. May 7, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #10
    Benson X

    Benson X [OP] My build thread sucks...

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    If you don't draw blood, you're doing it wrong!
    Broken pics are now fixed
    :thumbsup:
     
  11. May 7, 2019 at 3:02 PM
    #11
    KRAMERICA

    KRAMERICA Old Man Mike

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  12. May 7, 2019 at 3:16 PM
    #12
    TireFire

    TireFire Superunknown Member

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    I would have tried to seat the knurled portion of the new studs with a deep socket and c-clamp if I’m too lazy to take the hub off and use a press
     
  13. Jun 4, 2019 at 6:59 PM
    #13
    willie64

    willie64 Willie64

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    This could be a fun project.
    I have the same wheels and size tires (but fierce attitude tires). When I initially installed there was running sho I pt 1.25"spacers on. I like the stance but I've developed a shimmy over the years. Maybe I should do this so I have one set of lug nuts rather than 2 sets on each wheel.
     
  14. Feb 1, 2022 at 7:26 PM
    #14
    Noelbnetz

    Noelbnetz Active Member

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    Just saw this post! Was also wondering if this would work with 3rd gen tacomas
     
    Benson X[OP] likes this.
  15. Feb 2, 2022 at 12:20 PM
    #15
    Benson X

    Benson X [OP] My build thread sucks...

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    If you don't draw blood, you're doing it wrong!
    It should be the same process on 3rd Gens, but I don't have a 3rd Gen to verify 100%
     
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