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Are wheel spacers bad these days?

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by dza1284, Mar 31, 2011.

  1. Mar 31, 2011 at 1:56 PM
    #1
    dza1284

    dza1284 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I been doing some research the last few days and come across people who love them and others who hate them. Seems as though the people who have had bad experiences with them, had them years ago. Do they make them better now-a-days?

    Also, everyone recommends the spidertrax spacers but they are $200 for 4!! Is this brand significantly better than other.

    I found some for $160 at:
    and $116 from ebay

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYO...ts=Model:Tacoma|Year:2008&hash=item5643123085
     
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    #1
  2. Mar 31, 2011 at 1:57 PM
    #2
    ColtsTRD

    ColtsTRD Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't trust the ones from ebay...AP or Spidertrax are what's commonly used around here in 1.25" :cool:
     
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  3. Mar 31, 2011 at 2:39 PM
    #3
    dza1284

    dza1284 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Have they gotten better in the past few years (design, material etc)? Heard a few horror stories and concerns, but like mentioned above, seemed like a lot of this was from years ago.
     
  4. Mar 31, 2011 at 2:42 PM
    #4
    straycat241

    straycat241 maXXXed out mid travel

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    I want to get some too! but am scared ill shear off my studs if I off road too hard?
     
  5. Mar 31, 2011 at 2:45 PM
    #5
    Sheppymach

    Sheppymach Well-Known Member

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  6. Mar 31, 2011 at 2:46 PM
    #6
    ColtsTRD

    ColtsTRD Well-Known Member

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    Ya, I wouldn't trust em bud...just stick with whats good...like Spidertrax if you HAVE to run wheel spacers. I know its a cheaper alternative to buying new wheels but cheaper can sometimes cost you more in the long run...but you already know that :eek:
     
  7. Mar 31, 2011 at 3:42 PM
    #7
    dza1284

    dza1284 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Did you cut yours down? Do you have any before and after pics?
     
  8. Mar 31, 2011 at 5:25 PM
    #8
    AC13JohnG

    AC13JohnG Señor Member

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    People have been using wheel spacers on race cars forever. As long as you don't buy cheap shit and install them properly you should'nt have any issues.
     
  9. Mar 31, 2011 at 6:58 PM
    #9
    malander

    malander Well-Known Member

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    I think most people had issues with wheel spacers not wheel adapters like the spidertrax and ap adapters. Steer clear of eBay and trail gear though that's all Chinese crap.
     
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  10. Apr 1, 2011 at 8:36 AM
    #10
    dza1284

    dza1284 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So adapters change the bolt spacing? What is the difference between the two? Why is one less problematic than the other?
     
  11. Apr 1, 2011 at 8:40 AM
    #11
    krimson

    krimson Nothin

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  12. Apr 1, 2011 at 11:18 AM
    #12
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    Also remember the spidertrax ones are hub-centric, while the ebay ones are not.
     
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  13. Apr 1, 2011 at 12:31 PM
    #13
    dza1284

    dza1284 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I figured the ebay ones were not a good way to go. Just wanted to throw it out there and see what you all thought.
     
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  14. Apr 1, 2011 at 12:33 PM
    #14
    dza1284

    dza1284 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Do you have spacers on yours? I like how width of your stance.
     
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  15. Apr 1, 2011 at 12:47 PM
    #15
    Nightstr

    Nightstr Well-Known Member

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    I have the AP 1.5 and love them!
     
  16. Apr 1, 2011 at 1:07 PM
    #16
    TexasTacoma37

    TexasTacoma37 Well-Known Member

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    I do not have spacers, but I have 9" wide wheels. That's why they stick out that far.
     
  17. Apr 1, 2011 at 1:12 PM
    #17
    malander

    malander Well-Known Member

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    Go to wheelers and look at their spidertrax adapters and then look at their wheel spacers (should be .5" I believe). With spacers you may need longer studs, where with adapters you get another set of lugs
     
  18. Apr 2, 2011 at 6:21 AM
    #18
    4x4Tacoma01

    4x4Tacoma01 Well-Known Member

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    I haven't had any trouble with my ebay ones. Been on my truck for 2 years now.
     
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  19. Jun 9, 2016 at 10:13 AM
    #19
    amxguy1970

    amxguy1970 Well-Known Member

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    Just in general spacers are bad and a band aid fix regardless of how quality they are. Pushing the wheel out also adds more stress to the suspension, joints and bearings.

    Real racers do not use spacers. Sure some small local cars/teams might that don't have the funding to spend on a proper fitting set up but again, that is a band aid fix and should always be temporary.

    OP, if you are just staying on the street and not towing a bunch or doing heavy loads spacers would work for a while (buy quality ones), but if you plan to wheel a bunch or test your truck in other ways buy new tires, deal with the rub or buy new wheels with a proper offset.

    Tyler
     

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