Using wheel spacers

[StormTrooper]

So i've been looking around the forum for opinions on using wheel spacers and either i'm completely blind or there wasn't much info about the pros and cons of using them. I totally like the look that it adds to the wheels and the wider stance but i am worried that vibrations might occur later on. I either need wheel spacers or aftermarket UCAs for my 285/75/16 tires. Vote and let me know what your opinions are about using them! Thanks!

 

[EH007]

If you have an '03 - '05, don't bother with wheel spacers, as the tires are not set too far in from the edge of the fenders. Putting Spidertrax spacers on will bring the wheels out beyond the edges of the fenders. I'm not a fan of that look myself...

If you have an '06 - '09, definitely get wheel spacers because the tires are way too tucked in from the edge of the fenders. Installing Spidertrax spacers will bring the tires out just about flush with the edge of the fenders. Looks great that way....

Well, that's my opinion on the matter...

 

[StormTrooper]

If you have an '03 - '05, don't bother with wheel spacers, as the tires are not set too far in from the edge of the fenders. Putting Spidertrax spacers on will bring the wheels out beyond the edges of the fenders. I'm not a fan of that look myself...

If you have an '06 - '09, definitely get wheel spacers because the tires are way too tucked in from the edge of the fenders. Installing Spidertrax spacers will bring the tires out just about flush with the edge of the fenders. Looks great that way....

Well, that's my opinion on the matter...

I did not know that about the 03 - 05 models. So you're saying that i won't need to do any trimming of the fenders for my 05 if i use 285/75/16s? From what i thought you had to do some trimming of the fenders AND get wheel spacers when using that size of tire.

 

[eskimochaos]

I did not know that about the 03 - 05 models. So you're saying that i won't need to do any trimming of the fenders for my 05 if i use 285/75/16s? From what i thought you had to do some trimming of the fenders AND get wheel spacers when using that size of tire.

No, they redesigned the fender flares after 05 making them rounder and bulgier causing the wheels to be further underneath them. I assume that the the amt of cutting necessary will be the same because they didnt change the wheel wells.

 

[StormTrooper]

No, they redesigned the fender flares after 05 making them rounder and bulgier causing the wheels to be further underneath them. I assume that the the amt of cutting necessary will be the same because they didnt change the wheel wells.

Ok that's what i thought but you can never be too sure.

 

[BlairB]

Needing wheel spacers for 285's and having them flush with the fenders are not related at all.

With 285's you need wheel spacers so that your tires clear the UCA's, the tires being flush with the fenders is an added bonus.

An alternative to wheel spacers is getting aftermarket UCA's. This won't change the look of your rig but usually allows for enough clearance to fit 285's

 

[StormTrooper]

With 285's you need wheel spacers so that your tires clear the UCA's, the tires being flush with the fenders is an added bonus.

An alternative to wheel spacers is getting aftermarket UCA's. This won't change the look of your rig but usually allows for enough clearance to fit 285's

Here's my one and only question that i desperately need answered. Will i experience any vibrations later on with wheel spacers or will i have problems with alignment because of them? i am about to order Light Racing UCAs because my buddy who is a mechanic said he would get UCAs over wheel spacers but i like the look the wheel spacers give your ride. Any opinions?

 

[BlairB]

High quality wheel spacers like spidertrax will not give you any vibration problems and also they should not provide difficulty in alignment. UCA's are over twice the price, even for LR which are the cheapest out there.

Also, I would double check to make sure UCA's would allow you to fit the tire. I remember reading that, but am not 100%.

 

[StormTrooper]

High quality wheel spacers like spidertrax will not give you any vibration problems and also they should not provide difficulty in alignment. UCA's are over twice the price, even for LR which are the cheapest out there.

Also, I would double check to make sure UCA's would allow you to fit the tire. I remember reading that, but am not 100%.

Thanks for the response, i was just a little worried. now my only problem is finding spidertrax wheel spacers. spidertrax.com is currently out of stock on the late models. Where did you get yours? or do you know of another good site to order them from. preferably one with no tax and free shipping

Sorry for getting a little off track on the poll...

 

[BlairB]

As of yesterday I think Burtman Industries had 2 sets left. I would try emailing them first thing tomorrow.

 

[StormTrooper]

As of yesterday I think Burtman Industries had 2 sets left. I would try emailing them first thing tomorrow.

Awesome man, i got the last set!!! every other site i've looked at was out of stock and said that it would be about 4-6 weeks. thanks alot! :cheers:

 

[G.I.G.]

I voted for Spidertrax. I just put a set on a week ago and there has been no difference in the way my 4R drives and it looks WAY better with them on!

Technically, no wheel spacers are "best" because the more you mod your truck (different tires, suspensions, wheel spacers, etc.) the further away it is from the way it was engineered at Toyota. As far as long term reliability goes, no spacers are best. Wheel spacers can add additional stress to wheel bearings which means that the bearings might wear out slightly prematurely, but IMO, that is a small price to pay. Also, running wheel spacers is no worse on your wheel bearings then running wider or larger offset wheels. One other potential negative to running spacers is that some tire shops won't touch your car if it has wheel spacers because they are worried about liability. Just call around and you'll find a place that will still balance and rotate your tires for you.

I did a TON of research on wheel spacers on the net, called 4-wheel drive shops, and even called Spidertrax themselves to talk to them about spacers. I determined Spidertrax to be the best and I think most would agree on here as well.

I would jump on the Spidertrax FAST if you haven't ordered already. No one had them a month ago and I had Slee Off Road set some aside for me when they got them in. Apparently Spidertrax will do a big run of them, ship them all, then almost immediately go on back order again, meaning that you would need to wait another couple of months to get them. If Burtman is out of them, try Slee Off Road in Golden, CO.

 

[StormTrooper]

I voted for Spidertrax. I just put a set on a week ago and there has been no difference in the way my 4R drives and it looks WAY better with them on!

Technically, no wheel spacers are "best" because the more you mod your truck (different tires, suspensions, wheel spacers, etc.) the further away it is from the way it was engineered at Toyota. As far as long term reliability goes, no spacers are best. Wheel spacers can add additional stress to wheel bearings which means that the bearings might wear out slightly prematurely, but IMO, that is a small price to pay. Also, running wheel spacers is no worse on your wheel bearings then running wider or larger offset wheels. One other potential negative to running spacers is that some tire shops won't touch your car if it has wheel spacers because they are worried about liability. Just call around and you'll find a place that will still balance and rotate your tires for you.

I did a TON of research on wheel spacers on the net, called 4-wheel drive shops, and even called Spidertrax themselves to talk to them about spacers. I determined Spidertrax to be the best and I think most would agree on here as well.

I would jump on the Spidertrax FAST if you haven't ordered already. No one had them a month ago and I had Slee Off Road set some aside for me when they got them in. Apparently Spidertrax will do a big run of them, ship them all, then almost immediately go on back order again, meaning that you would need to wait another couple of months to get them. If Burtman is out of them, try Slee Off Road in Golden, CO.

I totally understand what you're saying. i came to the conclusion that getting spidertrax will help me with my budget and at the same time will help with wheel clearance and adds somewhat of stability and that awesome wider look. Thanks for the info. i did a little research myself and on everysite that offers the spidertrax (even ones that did not carry them) pretty much said that spidertrax is the best way to go. they said that cheaper companies produce good wheel spacers, although spidertrax is the closest to producing the same OEM ride and quality. BTW i got the last set of 4 from Burtman Industries! Thanks to BlairB! i can't wait til i get my lift, spidertrax, wheels and tires on! :rocker: i will definitely need to add pics when everything is done. hopefully by the end of next week or early the week after.

 

[Quint]

I also have an '05 and i just put spidertrax spacers on and i feel that it looks great, im not running the usual 265/70/17 setup, but a slightly taller/narrower 255/75/17 (32.1 x 10) and it pushed the tires out flush with the fenders and looks great(IMHO, of course).
Heres a Pic:

 

[StormTrooper]

I also have an '05 and i just put spidertrax spacers on and i feel that it looks great, im not running the usual 265/70/17 setup, but a slightly taller/narrower 255/75/17 (32.1 x 10) and it pushed the tires out flush with the fenders and looks great(IMHO, of course).
Heres a Pic:

Looks nice :bigok:

 

[Pritchnakoff]

I agree with G.I.G. - you really don't want to have spacers if you don't need to. While there hasn't been any reported issues in the long term from using them (at least not in this forum) they are changing the dynamics of your wheel relationship to the vehicle and considerable stress is added unnessesarily as a result. If you wheel frequently, also adding stress, there "could" be more potential for greater damage where the use of UCAs would mitigate this risk and keep the closest to factory specs as possible - with the bonus of aiding in continued on-road driving benefits; i.e. turning radius, rubbing, alignment issues.

I also voted for "no spacers" but am hypocritical as I have been running Spidertrax for about 6mo w/285s because I couldn't afford the UCAs that I wanted when I upgraded tire sizes. As soon as I get enough saved up, I will be removing my spacers and going with UCAs.

My two cents...

 

[EH007]

Needing wheel spacers for 285's and having them flush with the fenders are not related at all.

That's true, but I was just generalizing. Most guys here seem to be more interested in spacers strictly for the looks. But there are also guys who get them because they need them for bigger tires.

 

[EH007]

I also have an '05 and i just put spidertrax spacers on and i feel that it looks great, im not running the usual 265/70/17 setup, but a slightly taller/narrower 255/75/17 (32.1 x 10) and it pushed the tires out flush with the fenders and looks great(IMHO, of course).
Heres a Pic:

Looks good, but it looks like they are a bit beyond the fenders. Not much, but a little for sure. I remember back in high school, some of the guys with 4x4s had to put add-on fender flares because the cops would give them tickets if the tires extended beyond the fenders. Yours isn't nearly that bad, but it does look like the tires stick out a bit.

 

[Quint]

Looks good, but it looks like they are a bit beyond the fenders. Not much, but a little for sure. I remember back in high school, some of the guys with 4x4s had to put add-on fender flares because the cops would give them tickets if the tires extended beyond the fenders. Yours isn't nearly that bad, but it does look like the tires stick out a bit.

I dont really think that is an issue anymore, many trucks come from the factory these days with tires that stick out past the wheel well. the one that i notice the most on the road is the new hummer h3, those tires stick out about three inches past the wheel well.