Wheel Spacers - Hub Centric or Lug Centric?

[thomasugenius]

Hello - I just purchased an 04Sport V8/4WD. Thanks to all who have posted as this Forum and members have been extremely insightful! I am looking at installing wheel spacers 3/4" to 1 1/4" on my 4R. Questions: Do I want "spacers" or "adapters"? AND do I want Hub Centric or Lug Centric? I have been told to use Hub Centric with a "lip"?? I have not seen many post on this subject but would appreciate any feedback / suggestions... Thanks in advance!

THomas

 

[Good Times]

First off, why do you want these? Are you trying to get some wheels that don't fit?

"Don't worry about all this hug and lug centric BS. The flange plate adapter will lock the wheel on the balance machine much more solid so you have the greatest chance of getting a better more consistant balance. You are better off always using it.

Remember the road force balancer does much more then just balance the tire. It tells the operator how to position the tire on the rim for the smoothest possible ride AND THEN it is balanced like other machines.

Once the tire has been positioned on the rim to give the smoothest possible ride, you really don't need to do that again. From then on just a regular balance is all you should need.
" (by Gadget)

Keep in mind this applies to wheels that are specific to the wheels you decide on getting.

That said:
All Pro Offroad has some 1.5 spacers that will make your truck 3" wider for $99

All Pro Website

 

[Rocketman]

Here is what I have learned the hard way. In order to get rims to mount to multiple vehicles and for tolerance build-up reasons, all the holes have a little slop in them. Well, when I replaced the rims on my Blazer, I originally had hub centric rims, but the new ones were lug centric. What happened was, nobody could get my rims to balance properly. Sure, the machine would say they were balanced, but when I would drive down the road the next day, they would bounce like crazy. I even had the folks from the garage ride down the road with me. Finally, someone smart figured out the problem. We added a small ring inside the rim that made a tighter fit to the hub. Basically, we converted to a hub centric rim. Never had problems again. What was happening is, when you mounted the rim on the lugs, the rim would slop down to the bottom most point given the clearance in the lugs versus lug holes. So when you bolted up, it would be biased in one direction.

Not sure if that helps or not, but it made a big difference for me. So don't just dismiss the question, do some more research.

 

[dancojgl]

In order to get rims to mount to multiple vehicles and for tolerance build-up reasons, all the holes have a little slop in them.

But isn't this why lug nuts are tapered on the mating surface, to center the holes in the rims to the lugs?

If the lug nuts are tightened in the proper sequence, the wheel should be centered on the hub...

Or am I missing something? (extremely likely--it is Friday...)

—Dan

 

[Good Times]

Quote from Jason B:
"Hub-Centric:
A hub and wheel design in which the wheel is centered on a raised center portion of the hub. The lug nuts/bolts then serve only to hold the wheel in place on the hub. Most tire balancing machines use a conical wheel mounting mechanism to locate the wheel/tire on the machine for balancing.

Lug-Centric:
A hub and wheel design in which the wheel is centered by the lug nuts/bolts themselves, often with clearance between the center of the hub and the cut out in the wheel. Toyota wheels are lug-centric and as such require a special lug-centric fixture to be properly balanced on a cone-type balancing machine, as the wheel center hole may not be exactly centered on the lug center point.

4Runner wheels are lug centric. That's the whole reason for the Haweka adapter, to center the wheels on the machine. If they were hub centric you wouldn't need it, hence Jaos wheels. You don't need to use the Haweka if your own Jaos wheels, since they are centered at the hub.

4Runners in general have a very sensitive front end, and it anything is off just the slightest bit, you will feel it. Not every lug centric wheel needs the Haweka, but you will on the 4Runner is you want the best balance with your stock wheels.
"

 

[uwf]

Hey guys,

Hope someone sees this post. What if I got wheel spacers to set the stock wheels out some and got 285/70 tires? Do you think that would work? I am not sure if there is going to be problems with strength in that area for off-roading.

Thanks for the help.'

Joseph

 

[Good Times]

ideally speaking wheel spacers are not recommended when offroading.

but then again there's alot of users that use em and have had no problems so go figure.

personally speaking, i'd just say just get some aftermarket wheels and call it a day.

 

[uwf]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I could use your recommendation. I want to get taller and wider wheels. I was looking at the BFGoodrich T/A KO's in the size of 285/70/17. How can I get those tires to fit under my truck. Could I get 17" wheels with a different offset so that I could get those to fit? What do you recommend? I really appreciate your help. I have tried searching around the site but none of the posts really answer my questions.

Thanks for your help

joseph

 

[Good Times]

not sure what wheels fit 17's but I'd say you'd have to goto a shop and test fit some wheels.

I would suspect that 4.5" backspacing would be good. I would say look for something with alot of backspacing since the stock one is pretty out there.

Also, 285's would be hard pressed into fitting a stock 4runner unless you already have a lift.

if you don't, i'd say stick to wheels that are 1 size up (265/70/17) or something like that.

good luck

 

[uwf]

THanks for the help.

One last question. Your MT/R's, how are they onroad? I was thinking about getting those but was wondering how their on-road characteristics are.

What exactly rubs with the 285's, and why would a lift help? I am relatively new the off-road thing? I have done some wheelin but only recently considered modifying my rig. I can't say thanks enough!!!

Joseph

 

[Good Times]

lift would help fit 285's as it'll raise your truck, thus giving you more space for the rubber

lift also helps on the trail as you'll have better clearance below so you don't rub as much on the trail.

just imagine lowering your truck and looking at what the tires would look like. Then think the opposite and relation to what the tires would look like. That's prob the best explanation that I can think offhand.

the mt/r's are great on the trail and pretty good on the road. the noise isn't that bad at all. somehow the cabin filters out all the sound so if your windows are closed you can't hear anything. ofcourse it's not luxury vehicle but i mean it does deaden (sp?) the sound pretty well.

i'm not sure how they are on the snow or in heavy rain as where i live that's a rarity so i can't comment on those conditions.

good luck!

 

[rav1974]

Just to help clear things up for myself...285/70-17. Would these fit the stock 17 wheels with a lift and wheel spacers? I am looking at getting the burtman spacer lift and all pro wheel spacers. Thanks

 

[Good Times]

Just to help clear things up for myself...285/70-17. Would these fit the stock 17 wheels with a lift and wheel spacers? I am looking at getting the burtman spacer lift and all pro wheel spacers. Thanks

Expat has a SE with 275's on the stock 17" wheels. I believe he experienced some rubbing but nothing that significant. I suspect that with 285's you'll experience lots of rubbing but nothing a bit of trimming can't handle.

Personally, I don't recommend wheel spacers.

Good luck

 

[fourwd1]

But isn't this why lug nuts are tapered on the mating surface, to center the holes in the rims to the lugs?

If the lug nuts are tightened in the proper sequence, the wheel should be centered on the hub...

Or am I missing something? (extremely likely--it is Friday...)

—Dan

SHOULD be is the key word.



And in reference to the original question, a "spacer" in the 1"+ range is a wheel "adapter" (like pic above) and is going to be lug-centric.


And spacers are used off-road all the time. Many people that SAS their trucks use 1.5" spacers to make the front axle the same width as the 3" wider rear axle IFS trucks have. I swapped a 3" wider rear axle into my 84 (SA) 4Runner and use 1.5" spacers on the front. The trucks sees serious rock crawling and highway time to get there, with no problems.

 

[RunnerUp]

285's on a stock 4runner.... HA! im thinking you will HAVE to have atleast a 2.5" lift for those... i have a 2.5" on my 3rd gen and at full stuff it rubs a little, but that is only in the rear... up front it rubs my frame (tire will go before the frame will... i geuss) and it hits my upper a-arm... luckily im going to order those shaved A-arms from sonoran soon... ive never heard anything good about spacers.... but to each there own, and perhaps there is some info i havent come across yet, i am fairly young.... keep us informed on the buildup

 

[jdrennan88]

I'm in a similar predicament. I put an OME lift on my 03 with 285/75/17. There is a rubbing on the inside of the fender and the control arm. I had to cut a huge porion of the wheel well away. I recommend having a custom peice of aluminum put in or the plastic can catch wind and rub. It doesn't hurt anything, it's just incredibly annoying. For the control arm you will either have to get wheels with an offset or spacers; however, the rubbing only happens when the tires are turned pretty far. Anyhow, that is the extent of my experience. I'm also interested in spacers as well just not sure if there is any adverse effects offroad. Hope I was able to give some insight.