Question for you guys running wheel spacers . . .

[1985taylor1925]

So I recently bought a pair of the 05-09 Tacoma wheels, which by the way I have for sale right now in the classifieds. I actually really like them and want to see them on my truck. But right after buying them I discovered mb torques, which have the backspacing I want, and look awesome imo. But if I cant sell these for enough to get my moneys worth, Im just gonna keep and install them. They have a 5.25" backspacing which means I will need to run wheel spacers.

So to my question. My driving is primarily high way. Will i have any issues running 1.5" spacers as far as balancing and highway ride are concerned?
I know I could go with smaller spacers, but I would like to widen the stance a bit. thanks in advance

 

[Gerdo]

Buy hub centric spacers.
I have been running 1.25" Spidertrax spacers for a year or so now on my factory wheels. The wheels are 4.65" bs, 7" wide. The spacers push the centerline of my wheels out from a negative 1.15 to a positive .1 .

They ride exactly the same as before the spacers.

The only thing that stinks is that you have one more thing to remove before checking/working on the rear drums or replacing a CV. I have a board that I wedge against the brake pedal and the drivers seat so I can wrench by myself.

You should check torque once in a while on the nuts holding on the spacers too. I have checked mine and they have been tight. Use loc-tite on them and they should be good to go. I check torque without loosening and don't break the loc-tite.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Buy hub centric spacers.
I have been running 1.25" Spidertrax spacers for a year or so now on my factory wheels. The wheels are 4.65" bs, 7" wide. The spacers push the centerline of my wheels out from a negative 1.15 to a positive .1 .

They ride exactly the same as before the spacers.

The only thing that stinks is that you have one more thing to remove before checking/working on the rear drums or replacing a CV. I have a board that I wedge against the brake pedal and the drivers seat so I can wrench by myself.

You should check torque once in a while on the nuts holding on the spacers too. I have checked mine and they have been tight. Use loc-tite on them and they should be good to go. I check torque without loosening and don't break the loc-tite.

Thanks for the advice. I know some guys have said they wont run spacers because they dont think theyre very safe. Is there any credibility to that?

 

[Gerdo]

Thanks for the advice. I know some guys have said they wont run spacers because they dont think theyre very safe. Is there any credibility to that?

I have some friends that race the Baja in the stock class. They have to run factory wheels but use spacers for a wider stance and clearance. The only issues one of them had was that a couple of them thought the other torqued the nuts so they loosened. When torqued they have no issue racing with them.

The "issues" that people hear about are bunk.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I have some friends that race the Baja in the stock class. They have to run factory wheels but use spacers for a wider stance and clearance. The only issues one of them had was that a couple of them thought the other torqued the nuts so they loosened. When torqued they have no issue racing with them.

The "issues" that people hear about are bunk.

Ya. If they do ok under that much punishement then I have no worries whatsoever about running them on the road. sweet

 

[Brutus]

I have inch and a half spacers. I've never had any issues even after several thousand miles of highway driving. Really don't effect my ride at all.
I never put loc-tite on mine and have never had any nut loosen.

 

[bike]

No issues with my 1.25" wheel spacers from allpro. Torque properly and use some blue loc-tite. I have heard that running wheel spacers can increase stress on wheel bearings from the added leverage of the wheel being further away from the bearing, but I personally don't see it as a concern and haven't found any evidence other than word of mouth to support that. The amount of river crossings, mud, and sand my truck sees' is what the wear is coming from.

 

[Brilliant]

I have some friends that race the Baja in the stock class. They have to run factory wheels but use spacers for a wider stance and clearance. The only issues one of them had was that a couple of them thought the other torqued the nuts so they loosened. When torqued they have no issue racing with them.

The "issues" that people hear about are bunk.

Agree totally. Spacers are also very common on amateur sport car racing too.

 

[1985taylor1925]

No issues with my 1.25" wheel spacers from allpro. Torque properly and use some blue loc-tite. I have heard that running wheel spacers can increase stress on wheel bearings from the added leverage of the wheel being further away from the bearing, but I personally don't see it as a concern and haven't found any evidence other than word of mouth to support that. The amount of river crossings, mud, and sand my truck sees' is what the wear is coming from.

Thats one thing I thought about. It would make sense. But wheels that stick out further would do the same thing in theory.

 

[Gerdo]

I have heard that running wheel spacers can increase stress on wheel bearings from the added leverage of the wheel being further away from the bearing,

Considering that they push the center of my wheel out .1" past center, There is no way it could influence the bearings. Think about this. The tire is 8" wide or more and it is supporting the vehicle. Now if you rode on street curbs with just the outside inch of the tire, yes it could cause bearing wear 9with or without spacers).