white_n_slow
Senior Member
Yeah, the newer model wheels do have more backspacing than 3rd gen wheels.
A bunch of tire (and related) questions...
- Thread starter nhmiller
- Start date
Yep... so I definitly have a rub. It is at the very end of steering lock and appears to be interference with the upper A-arm. I am working to avoid full steering lock - and did a quick debur/polish on that edge of the A-arm just to ensure that they don't trash the tire until I get a more permanent resolution.
So - it looks like I am either in for some wheel spacers - or may be looking for wheels. I really don't want to replace the wheels - but I've always been wary of spacers and I've promised myself that when it comes to this vehicle I am going to "do it right." As I fix / update things I am doing it with quality stuff - both because my kids will be driving this vehicle regularly - and because I intend to use it more and more in the woods / trails and I want to do as much as I can to avoid getting stuck out there.
I have looked for threads specific to wheel spacers and have not found any really robust discussions on the merits / pitfalls. Perhaps I am not searching properly - but the "wheel spacer" specific threads seem to all have either a more specific brand or vehicle question at their heart.
SO!
1) Is there a strong consensus regarding the safety / risks / value of wheel spacers? If so - what's the verdict?
2) If the verdict is "run 'em..." is there a clear brand leader (I've seen a few references to spydertrax - others worth a look - to what degree does it matter)?
3) If there is no consensus - what would you do?
Thanks in advance!
white_n_slow
Senior Member
FWIW, I had a 45mph rollover and my spidertrax wheel spacers were 100% unharmed. Kept running them on a new truck (including some decent wheeling) for over a year no issues whatsoever, so I would not worry about it from a safety standpoint.
It is one more step when it comes to brakes or CV maintenance, so that's something to think about. You'll also probably want front and rear (even though only the front is necessary for your UCA clearance issue, just so it doesn't look funny. Or maybe not... just a matter of preference.
I have also seen people grind down the edge of their stock UCA. If the rubbing is very minor, that would be an option. But take it in small steps to keep from putting too much heat into the UBJ.
It is one more step when it comes to brakes or CV maintenance, so that's something to think about. You'll also probably want front and rear (even though only the front is necessary for your UCA clearance issue, just so it doesn't look funny. Or maybe not... just a matter of preference.
I have also seen people grind down the edge of their stock UCA. If the rubbing is very minor, that would be an option. But take it in small steps to keep from putting too much heat into the UBJ.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
:edit: double post, WTF is up with the site lately?
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Thanks much. This helps. I'm not really worried about "looks" although I would do all four just to avoid the weird/silly pre-runner look that some guys around here have (there is a kid in the area with a ranger who has installed a bunch of long-travel stuff including what appear to be about 3 foot long control-arms... his front tires stick out a good foot outside the fenders / rear tires... pretty comical following him down a paved road)....
Thanks for relating the rollover experience that gives me some good perspective and some relief with the safety concern (was just thinking about putting turning loads etc out on the end of a longer arm - double attached etc.. had visions of material failure and wheel loss... call me paranoid....)
I think I've got enough contact that it is probably not going to resolve by grinding down the control arm - I'll get under it this weekend and see if that is a possibility - but I can't see removing more than 1/16" of material from the arm without pulling them out and doing some restorative welding - so I'm probably gonna pass on that one too.
Thanks again...
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