wheel spacers or no?

Hello fellow Tacoma enthusiasts,

I am back again, asking for y'all's opinions on whether or not I should install wheel spacers onto my Tacoma. I recently installed a 3.5” RCX loaded strut suspension lift kit + aftermarket UCA’s. I am going to put on 285/75r16 Toyo open country’s. My last Tacoma I had only a 3” leveling kit and was able to run 285/75r16 ridge grapplers without spacers, with minimal rubbing. With the side cleat being a tad bit bigger on the Toyo’s, I’m wondering if it is wise to add wheel spacers. I’m not a big fan of them, but am a rather safe than sorry person.

thank you for taking time to read this post.

Trey

 

I ran them on my 05 4R without issue. If you don’t HAVE TO maybe you shouldn’t.

 

Nothing wrong with running wheel spacers, assuming they're properly installed/maintained, and you're using a proper hub centric wheel adapter like spidertrax.

That said, if you need them to clear a component like control arm, then go for it... but... rubbing on fender well or cab mount may actually increase as you push the wheel further out.

 

Some members say the addition of wheel spacers changes the geometry of the truck . These members also mention having wheel bearing issues after adding wheel spacers . The load of the truck is placed outside of normal operating range .
Others say they have no issues ?

 

I don’t think they’re necessarily needed, but rough country does recommend a .25” spacer which of course no reliable wheel spacing company like spider trax makes. They’re all 1.25-2”. I think I may see how it rides without the spacers and from there judge on spacers or even CMC like WhatsTCP recommended.

thank you all for taking time to make an input on this.

 

I have some 3/4“ spacers I've been trying to sell

 

Geometry changes leading to wheel bearing issues would also be caused by running after market wheels with offsets/backspacing different than the factory rims. Improper installation or not running hub-centric spacers are more likely culprits for issues than the spacers themselves.