Negative aspects of wheel spacers??

[T?@\7]

Im just trying to figure out all the possible/potential problems of some of the things im interested in before i order them, and right now im thinking about some wheel spacers. I really would like to fit as wide as possible (withOUT rubbing) tire on my stock SE wheel.... (what size?)...

But anyways, I thought I read somewhere at somepoint about stress on the drivetrain because of wheelspacers? Is this true? Id like to hear from those with experience.... And how does one choose the size they want to get? it seems like 1"spacer would be more than enough to accomodate 12.5" wide tires? that is if that would fit on the wheel, i c ould be way off...

Thanks for any and all input!

Ray

 

[truckhigh]

this is gonna start a debate or some1 will tell you to search!!

there are alot of people running them here. The spidertrax ones are the popular choice. I am still undecided on them and would actaully try them out. The stress thing is understandable. But whats the difference between a different size offset/backspacing and a spacer. I do see it as another point of failure. You gonna get a 50/50 reaction.

I would use them i have seen them on off-road vehicles and race cars.

 

[T?@\7]

this is gonna start a debate or some1 will tell you to search!!

Hehe, ya i figured so much!

Thanks for your input tho, and yeah it does seem that spidertrax are the popular choice amongst our type....
Thanks again!

 

[JustAnotherT4R]

i am running 1.5" front & 2" rear on my 2004 Tundra for a year. They are ok. no complaints here. i have gone as fast as 90mph on the freeway by accident. going for the same stance for my 02 4runner in a few weeks. GL on your search. as many would say, its your ride do what you please. have a wonderful day!

 

[Falls]

What with the PODS logo ?? Are you a dealer ?

just curious ?

 

[fourwd1]

... But whats the difference between a different size offset/backspacing and a spacer. ...

I think it's about spacers moving the actual wheel mounting surface (outwards) which the rims don't, which puts more stress on the bearings. Rims with different offset or backspacing move the tire but not the mounting surface.

 

[fourwd1]

Oh yeah, I've been running 1.5" spacers on the front for 4 yrs or so with no problems, but then it's not a DD either.

 

[T?@\7]

What with the PODS logo ?? Are you a dealer ?

just curious ?

My family owns all of the 'PODS' on the Eastern half of the U.S.


Thanks for the input guys! It makes sense now as to why adding spacers as opposed to differently backspaced wheels would potentially stress the drivetrain...
Im still torn, but it seems that a small spacer would be more advantageous than not......

Thx again!

 

[Kmvreter]

My family owns all of the 'PODS' on the Eastern half of the U.S.


Thanks for the input guys! It makes sense now as to why adding spacers as opposed to differently backspaced wheels would potentially stress the drivetrain...
Im still torn, but it seems that a small spacer would be more advantageous than not......

Thx again!

It isn't so much that using a spacer is causing stress. You are trying to accomplish the same thing whether you use a wheel spacer or a different offset wheel. Either way you are changing the track width which changes the geometry of the front suspension. The new intersection point of the tread centerline at the road is further out than original design which causes additional stresses on not just the bearings but all the spindle joints. Not sure if it is a problem though because the T4R may be robust enough to take it. This shouldn't be an issue on the rear because of the solid axle.

Also, back to your original statement in the first post, I'm not sure how wide a tire would safely fit your particular stock rim width. That is a seperate issue. First find out what tire brand and size you are looking at to max out on the width.

 

[T?@\7]

so u are saying that changing wheels/ backspacing and adding a spacer cause the same amount of "stress"? If thats the case then I spose i shouldnt really be worried.

Thx for the info!

 

[Kmvreter]

so u are saying that changing wheels/ backspacing and adding a spacer cause the same amount of "stress"? If thats the case then I spose i shouldnt really be worried.

Thx for the info!

I don't know if you should be worried or not. Changing wheel offset outboard OR adding a spacer do the same thing to change the front suspension geometry and I don't know how the T4R would handle it in the long run. I personally wouldn't do it on a daily driver, but that's just me.

 

[Bala de Plata]

They do put stress on bearings. Think of it like leverage, the more weight that is applied further out (tire with spacers) rotating around will add more stress back at the hub (bearings). The closer you get to the hub, less rotationsl stress, so yes smaller is better.

But, is it something to worry about? With proper install and making sure that they are torqed correctly, which will involve taking your tires off at least twice after the install. Cause you wanna do short trips and make sure everything is seated, you should be fine. Just always keep them in mind and dont forget about them. .

I run them as you know and have not had any problems other than the idiot dealer stripping a stud which I fixed rather quickly. But I always was using them as a short term solutiong and am going to go with a 4.5 BS rim very soon.


"Uh, what my associate is trying say is..." "For the love of God no!!"

 

[Colemanfu]

I put a set on about 2 months ago - got them from Spidertrax.
They are hub-sentric? I got the impression that the hub takes the stress of the wheels not the studs? In that case the bearings would have no extra stress? Love the look with out having to get new rims. Only down side is a bit a rub at full lock. For example if I am backing up and cut it hard you will hear the tire hit around the mud flat. So little a deal that I don't plan on doing any triming.

I'll be down in Ponce next weekend for the SPARK 5k if you want to check out the rig.

Also friends with Paul Upchurch - I think he was involved with PODS here in Daytona? Great guy.

Good luck and get that lift on - you'll love it!

 

[Bala de Plata]

I put a set on about 2 months ago - got them from Spidertrax.
They are hub-sentric? I got the impression that the hub takes the stress of the wheels not the studs? In that case the bearings would have no extra stress?

Hubcentric just means that it centers itself on the hub with te conical bolts that are used to make sure that it sits centered on the hub. The studs are part of the hub and as a complete assy sit in the bearing. Anytime you add distance past the hub it is puting that weight further out and again acts like a lever and puts more weight at the fulcrum point to kinda put it in a simple example. But this is still somewhat subjective as a wheel with more backspace still moves the centerd weight of tire and wheel out but I would say why some have more issue with the spacers is that there is more room for error in centering and possible play where as if you are going with just new wheels there is less of a chance of this being an issue. Take a very very small amount of play or off balanced weight, move it further from the fulcrum point and rotate it at high speeds and you can imagine what may be a small thing can be a bigger issue.

Im not makin a case for not running spacers just am trying to explain mechanical aspects of them.

 

[T?@\7]

Also friends with Paul Upchurch - I think he was involved with PODS here in Daytona? Great guy.

The world grows ever smaller it seems , Yeah Paul and his family are longtime close family friends :bigok:

WHats the spark 5k? a marathon of somesort? (pardon ignorance) Is it this weekend?
I would like to check out ur truck seomtime forsure! And I am DYING to get those parts on, I went to wilsons on tuesday and Danny Jr. (owners son perhaps?) anyhoo he was super knowledgable and def. knew his way around jeeps, but was kinda intimidated by the 4r... which led to his semi-high price quite of atleast $1000. Which i feel is high anyways, maybe not...
But there are a couple other places im gonna contact around and see what i can set up.... or just wait and save $$$$ :-(

bala de plata
They do put stress on bearings. Think of it like leverage, the more weight that is applied further out (tire with spacers) rotating around will add more stress back at the hub (bearings). The closer you get to the hub, less rotationsl stress, so yes smaller is better.

But, is it something to worry about? With proper install and making sure that they are torqed correctly, which will involve taking your tires off at least twice after the install. Cause you wanna do short trips and make sure everything is seated, you should be fine. Just always keep them in mind and dont forget about them. .

I run them as you know and have not had any problems other than the idiot dealer stripping a stud which I fixed rather quickly. But I always was using them as a short term solutiong and am going to go with a 4.5 BS rim very soon.

Thanks for the great tech. info u guys! It makes sense when i think about in a leverage sense...

:biggrin2: Ill slam one to that!:beer:

 

[Colemanfu]

T? - going down to Ponce to run the 5K tomorrow. Starts at 8:00Davis park near the light house. Come around if you want to check out the rig.

 

[Trik444]

I have the 1.25" Spidertrax installed. As everyone has already stated, you are going to find a very torn opinion on this topic.

Personally, I like them! I have them re-torqued every 5,000 miles and my toyota tech says they are always tight. I am aware they will put more stress on the drivetrain. You can't argue with science in terms of rotational stress. And I am guilty of the phrase "drive it like you stole it", so there is a good possibility something might happen in the future.

To answer a question I saw earlier in this thread, I am running a 285 series mud tire with the toyota sport rims (7.5 inches wide). Over 15,000 miles on the setup so far with no problems.

 

[T?@\7]

good info sir! What width tires are you running on ur stock wheels? I really like the stock wheels and would love to be able to fit 12.50 wide tire on them, but for some reason i dont know if its possible without the use o spacers.....
I may end up just getting a set, probably just 1"....?, maybe after the first set of tires... dah! i dont know what the hell
Thanks again.

Ray

 

[Trik444]

I am running 285/70/17's. It has been a while since I was in the thick of my tire research. But if my memory serves me correctly, I believe a 12.5 tire is wider than what I'm running. Good luck!

 

[brett682]

What the hell does "backspacing" mean??? And off set???