Should I get wheel spacers?

Idk if youre set on specifically going with Spidertrax but check these out, almost the same thing.

 

I was checking these out the other day. Look pretty nice.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Wheel-Spacers_c_194.html

 

I put on my spidertrax wheel spacers about a week ago. Now all of the wheels are flush with the body of the truck. I have also noticed the truck sticks to the road more especially around turns. Used a torque wrench and have had no shaking or steering problems whatsoever. Install about an hour.

 

I vote no...Wheel Spacers add a little more added stress to front end components and that can't be good. I was gonna run em but decided to wait and saves up for some new wheels with the proper backspacing and off set i needed

 

x2
See thats the problem, people say they run these things with "no problems" and they have less than 10-20k miles on em...long term effect caused by these things can be ruthless and costly...Brock don't run em!

 

I did all the same research and long story short, my Spidertrax are in the mail.

 

well, we tried to warn ya lol

 

At least they aren't huge....there are some chevy trucks around here and I swear they have 4 inch spacers behind thier wheels

 

That is crazy.

 

Yea....I've been wanting to see one snap at the rotor lol

 

however, I ran 1.5" spacers on an '01 ranger with a 4" lift, and 33's for over 60K. Street and offroad.

I am not an engineer, so this is only my humble, possibly misinformed assesment on the idea... I could see an issue with running a large 4" spacer, as it would place the weight of the tire, and wheel out from the hub assembly, effectively transitioning the mass to a point between the hub and wheel... i.e. the spacer. which in turn stresses both the hub assembly, and the back side of the wheel. with dissimilar metals also taken into effect, I could see potential for a failure of either the hub, the spacer, or the wheel.

with a smaller spacer, smaller tires, and proper torque settings, I don't think you have to worry too much.

I now run a fabtech 6" with factory TRD OR 16's and 285/75/16 and spidertrax hub-centric 1.75" spacers. I have no wheel shimmy, or vibration at all in fact I cruise with no hands on the wheel down the highway no problem. (no I don't drive around with no hands.)

I think there is a stigma attached to wheel spacers due to a people using them improperly, or using an outrageous spacer (4") with far too large a tire on far too large a truck. People always hear of the problems they create... well who did you hear from? the tire, and wheel shop guy? "I have been in this business 35 years... I won't even sell those..." I wouldn't either if I knew I could make $1200 more off a decent tire/wheel combo sale...

again this is all just my own opinion... so take it for what you will.

 

i had them but i didnt like the stance and had an issue with the studs stripping, also use red loctite when you put it on your truck, itll never fly off by accident

 

also had mine for 60k miles

 

As long as you get them from a good company they are fine. I tried the cheapo route one time and never could get them to balance, I could get the tires in perfect shape and they would still wobble a bit. I have never had any issues with the Spidertrax brand spacers, they are top notch and hub centric so they do not suffer from those issues. They are safe though. JOE>

 

I run Spider Trax on all 4 wheels and IMHO its a very small spacer under 2 inch to start worrying about adding stress. I've had mine for about 9k miles I know thats not long term but so far so good. I've taken it out on some pretty rough trails. I have a buddy who runs it on his 4runner and he just turned 140k miles and he installed them when his truck had 5k miles and no issues on his truck. just torque it to spec and use the locktite that comes with it and your all set. make sure you check the torque after 500 miles just to be safe.

 

Ok guys, Im just not seeing where the added stress these would cause over adding aftermarket wheels with say 4.5" backspacing. The distance the tire is sticking out would be about the same. So how would spacers cause more stress?

 

just torque it to spec and use the locktite that comes with it and your all set. make sure you check the torque after 500 miles just to be safe.[/QUOTE]

I plan on getting a torque wrench and not only checking them after the first couple hundred miles but also check the torque every time I rotate the tires, which would be every 5K miles.

 

I plan on getting a torque wrench and not only checking them after the first couple hundred miles but also check the torque every time I rotate the tires, which would be every 5K miles.[/quote]

Good idea, I am running 1 1/4" on my tacoma, but of course they were just put on. I like the Spidertrax because they use different studs, so not so much stress. I will be checking the torque when I role over 500 with them on just to see how they look. I opted not to use the locktite.

 

Im new around these parts but this sounds like a really good point. Anyone running spidertrax spacers with the stock wheels and tires? Id love to see a photo.

 

I am. The wheels/ tires are now flush with the truck. I will get a pic tomorrow and upload it.