Spacers or no spacers?

Does anybody have any thoughts on wheel spacers? Would anybody recommend them or not?

 

I don't personally recommend them because either they're just slip overs which will reduce the amount of lug nut thread engagement or the bolt over ones may require you to cut the lug studs. The proper thing is to get a rim with your desired offset. Places that do inspections I heard will make you remove them to pass. Check your local regulations.

That all said, I've installed many on peoples vehicles. My only suggestions if using the bolt on ones is to
A.) clean your hub of all corrosion before installing them with no lube under them
B.) put a little blue locktite on the studs before installing the spacer
C.) just in case, take off your wheel and retorque them like a wheel.

I'm not a fan of them personally but when doing the three above mentioned things, I can't honestly say i've personally seen issues with them

 

Only time one would recommend them is if the tire is rubbing on a control arm. There's no benefit otherwise, unless you're having issues with work sites having full sized truck tracks.

Personally I'd never run them, the side of my truck is muddy enough as it is.

 

I'd never cut my studs

I had .75 Bora for a few years and liked the little extra stance with some clean factory alloy wheels. There was a little pocket of space between the lug holes on the alloys (18" 4runner limited) where the studs fit, so I never had to trim them. Aftermarket wheels may or may not have that little cavity

 

I personally like my wheels and tires inside the wheel-well and with the stock positive offset.

if you haven’t seen tinkerer’s adventures explanation on fitting larger tires, it’s super eye opening how the geometry works. I’m pretty sure he discusses wheel spacers in this video…

https://youtu.be/Q7MyN1qOFgs?si=EquI6otac3dONxzF

 

no. cheap solution and makes the setup less reliable IMO.