First time posting. Thought I would include my wheel spacer install.

Hello Everyone,

This is the first time I have ever posted in a forum, so I thought I'd include The wheel spacer install I just finished. For startes I have a 2006 Tacoma Prerunner TRD O/R. I have installed a 2" lift and level kit and bought some LT285/75/16 Definity Dakota AT's. I found that the larger tires rubbed on the UCA since I went with the stock rims. I bought some wheel spacers to solve the problem and found out that the stock wheel studs only allow about 1/4" of thread when mounting. Serious problem! Nobody wants to hit a bumb on the freeway and have a tire snap off!!! So I did some research and found that rear wheel stud replacements for a 2003 Toyota Matrix have the same dimentions as the tacoma studs, but are about a 1/2" longer. Perfect for the 1.5" spacers I put on. Here's a pick of my truck the first time I took it off road:


Now on to the spacers!


First, there are some tools you will need:

1. 7"-21" hydralic jack or similar
2. 1/2" torque wrench
3. 1/2" socket wrench extention
4. 12mm, 17mm, 19mm, and 22mm sockets
5. 5/8" box end wrench
6. 2lb sledge hammer or similar
7. Three 9/16" ID X 1 3/8" OD grade 5 washers
8. Throw away lug nut
9. Silicone spray lubricant

First you will need to remove the wheel, brake caliper, and brake rotor. This is what the 12mm and 17mm sockets are for. DO NOT HANG THE BRAKE CALIPER BY THE BRAKE LINES!! Use some metal wire to hang it out of the way. Sorry I don't have any pick for this. :-(

Next you will need to use the hammer to tap out the stock stud. Only remove one at a time. The reasoning for this will be explaned shortly. Once the old stud is removed, insert the new one at the 6 o'clock position. This is the only position that allows enough clearance to get the new stud in.


Side view of new stud insert:



Next, place on, in this order, the box end wrench, then the washers, then the throw away lug nut. Before putting on the last washer spray it with the silicone lubricant. This will make the whole procedure easier. Here is a pic of the setup showing the metal bar in place:


LOL I spelled hydralic wrong!

Then using the toque wrench, or a large socket wrench, tighten the lug nut until the new stud mounts completely. The mushroom head of the stud will come in contact with the back of the spindal wheel and tightening force neede will spike.

Repeat these steps for all six studs.

Now we move on to the spacer.

First, reinstall the brake rotor and caliper.

Next, set the spacer in place and hand tighten all the mounting lug nuts. Then use the torque wrench and metal bar to lightly tighten them even more. After this I torqued each stud to 100 ft-lbs.



When you are sure that every thing has been torqued correctly mount the tire back on.

Finished!

Here are some related pics:

new stud compared to old one


Just barely even with my mud flap


Side view of the spacer:


Well, that's about it. I'm a budget builder so all my stuff is low end. I take care to purchase safe quality stuff, and do all the installs myself. Why pay someone to do something that I can do myself? If you have any questions please let me know. If you think I could have done something better, please tell me.

Thanks for reading!

Tim

Also, everything posted here is what I did. It is not what I think you shoud do. I will not be held accountable for what happens to you, your vehicle, or anything else.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome!

 

nice first post and welcome to tw.

 

Nice first post, I like your trick with the jack handle. Ever bend a lug doing it that way?

 

Welcome from the east coast. All pro spacers +1

 

Nice man.

Love the US flag being flown on your truck.

 

Great Post! Nice Write up. +1 for you Sir.

 

Nice write up for sure. I will do it later when I get my new wheels and tires

 

HI.
LIKE TO ADD MY EXPERIENCE .
DID THE SAME THING ON MY 97' 4 RUNNER.
NOW THE SAME ON MY 2006 TACOMA.
THE ONLY THING DIFFERENT IS I USED AN IMPACK GUN TO PULL THE STUDS IN.
WORKS AWESOME AS LONG AS YOU KNOW WHEN TO STOP...lol.
CHEERS EVERONE.

 

Welcome to TW from Az. Yea an impact gun and a short socket that fits around the stud works well instead of washers.

 

Thanks.
Are the 2003 matrix studs off a front wheel drive? or all wheel drive/?
Just i have the 1.25' spacers that i took off my 4 runner and planning to put them on my tacoma soon..Curious that the matrix studs maybe a shade too long for 1.25' spacers?
Ok did some looking for studs .
The toyota matrix studs are the same as the tacoma?
IM COMFUsED...lol..

 

Welcome to TW man! And nice write up too