I have an 07 SR5 4x4 runner with OME suspension and ARB bull bar. I want to put new BFG AT/KO tires on it. I have stock 17" rims. I was thinking of getting new 16" rims so I could fit some 285/75's on it. I also was thinking about keeping my stock rims and adding the SpiderTrax 1.25" spacers and 285/70's. The shop that worked on my runner says wheel spacers are dangerous and I should buy the new 16"rims. The tires on the runner now are stock and look small since I had the OME installed. Any ideas? Thanks.
SpiderTrax Spacers VS New wheels.
- Thread starter Erich
- Start date
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trd_4runnin
New member
I personally disagree with the shop (my opinion only.) There are many on here who run wheel spacers and I personally believe that a nice set (i.e. Spidertrax..), installed properly will not give you any problems at all. I have been running my Spidertrax spacers for about 8 months now with no problems or vibrations at all. I also have NEVER heard of anyone having a problem due to wheel spacers (not to say it hasn't happened, I just have never heard of it).
Bowtie3
New member
I have used and installed Spidertrax spacers on alot of vehicles. They are fine to run. Just like anything make sure everything is tight. Check them when you do a rotation. Wheels are really the way to go with the right backspacing. But it's cheaper to do the spacers and like I have said nothing wrong with running them. Shoot me a PM if you want a price on Spidertrax stuff.
josh220
Banned
I do not believe them to be any different than running wheels with backspacing. This of course is also assuming the spacers are of high quality, such as Spidertrax. Keep them torqued to the right specs, and you should be fine. I have a set in the mail, hopefully they come today. I never installed them before because I didn't like the idea of having 2 sets of spacers on my truck (Cornfed and Spidertrax.) However, today my truck is in the shop having SAW coilovers (front) and OME (rear) installed, so I am going to put the wheel spacers on this weekend.
If you are worried about the bolts on the spacers, just use locktite.
There are quite a few members on Toyota 120 who run Spidertrax and offroad the hell out of their truck with no issues, so I wouldn't be worried.
If you are worried about the bolts on the spacers, just use locktite.
There are quite a few members on Toyota 120 who run Spidertrax and offroad the hell out of their truck with no issues, so I wouldn't be worried.
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CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
josh220 said:
:iagree:
To give the tire place credit where credit is due... Thin spacers that use the stock or elongated lugnuts to hold it all together can be dangerous and hard to balance, etc. Spacers/Adapters that push the wheels way out can put extra stress on suspension components. Overall wheels are probably more desirable but not by much.
The Spidertax are more like adapters than spacers. They are not changing the bolt pattern so they get lumped into the spacer category. Just as Josh said, the guys at T120 do fine with them and they are brutal to their equipment. Some of the T120 guys or the guys at LCOOL.org, I can
I somewhat disagree. Spacers are add'l part bolted on , I would rather have 1 part ( rim ) to keep maintained , tightened , ect.... than 2 with a spacer.
Also remember almost all tire dealers and dealerships recommend against spacers. WHY , it's a liability reason. They also will not rotate your tires if you have spacers . Granted some may break the company guidelines for the money.
Every tire dealer I talked to in shopping for new tire would not put on , take off , change , rotate tires or even do brake jobs with them on or touch it in any way. Just food for thought and what I was told locally by many , many places and have also heard the same thing on this board .
On the brite note , I just love the way they look . I have never seen a 4R look bad with them. Nice wider stance and probably better stability I would think. All that stuff makes them tempting.
Also remember almost all tire dealers and dealerships recommend against spacers. WHY , it's a liability reason. They also will not rotate your tires if you have spacers . Granted some may break the company guidelines for the money.
Every tire dealer I talked to in shopping for new tire would not put on , take off , change , rotate tires or even do brake jobs with them on or touch it in any way. Just food for thought and what I was told locally by many , many places and have also heard the same thing on this board .
On the brite note , I just love the way they look . I have never seen a 4R look bad with them. Nice wider stance and probably better stability I would think. All that stuff makes them tempting.
trd_4runnin
New member
I can see what you are saying about them being an extra bolted on part thats able to fail but not very often do you run into a situation where a wheel that was correctly installed to the right torque specs just randomly falls off, and I wouldn't expect a spacer to either. If you are going to maintain the spacers and correctly torque them down then there really shouldn't be a concern. Also... I've gotten alignments, tire rotations, and even had the dealership double check the torque on the wheels spacers for me.... must be a geographical thing.
