Wheel spacers with stock wheels?

[T4R_Finally]

Before anyone suggests it, I did search here and with google and so far have not found exactly what I'm looking for.

I kept the stock rims when I leveled the front with Bilsteins and put on OEM sized Michelin m/s2's. I like everything about it and the look from a profile view but not really happy with the stance from front and rear. I have never used wheel spacers before and am not really sure how easy/hard they are to install or what is the right kind/size, etc. for what I want. I am not looking for the tires to stick out past the fenders - just a visible wider stance. It's a daily driver that sees a little snow now and then but that's about it.

I was up at a ski resort this past weekend, sitting in my 5th gen when I see a black 5th gen wheeling into the parking lot. I now wish I had gotten out to talk to the owner but my son was in a hurry so I did not. The guy definitely had stock rims and what looked like terra grapplers mounted on them, and it appeared to be leveled in some way. But what really stood out to me was the stance. I assume he had spacers on it. Whatever it was, it looked good to me

So, below are the questions I have:

What type/brand/size wheel spacers should I consider?

How hard are they to install for someone familiar with a wrench?

Is any adjustment (alignment, etc.) necessary after installing them?

And does anyone have any installed with a similar config that could post a pic or two?

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Before anyone suggests it, I did search here and with google and so far have not found exactly what I'm looking for.

I kept the stock rims when I leveled the front with Bilsteins and put on OEM sized Michelin m/s2's. I like everything about it and the look from a profile view but not really happy with the stance from front and rear. I have never used wheel spacers before and am not really sure how easy/hard they are to install or what is the right kind/size, etc. for what I want. I am not looking for the tires to stick out past the fenders - just a visible wider stance. It's a daily driver that sees a little snow now and then but that's about it.

I was up at a ski resort this past weekend, sitting in my 5th gen when I see a black 5th gen wheeling into the parking lot. I now wish I had gotten out to talk to the owner but my son was in a hurry so I did not. The guy definitely had stock rims and what looked like terra grapplers mounted on them, and it appeared to be leveled in some way. But what really stood out to me was the stance. I assume he had spacers on it. Whatever it was, it looked good to me

So, below are the questions I have:

What type/brand/size wheel spacers should I consider?

How hard are they to install for someone familiar with a wrench?

Is any adjustment (alignment, etc.) necessary after installing them?

And does anyone have any installed with a similar config that could post a pic or two?

Easy as balls. No alignment needed. Go with Spidertrax 1.25" adapters, period. I used them on my '03 Tundra and they were great. My tips:

- Clean the hub surface with a light sandpaper scuff, then alcohol wipe down and a quick blow of compressed air on the hub and studs.

- Offer up the spacer to the hub so you can see how it is oriented and just get a feel for it.

- Securing to the hub and use of Loctite: this has been debated, but Spidertrax includes a tube of Red with each set. I used just a dab to be on the safe side. I had no issues removing with a tire iron.

- Be very certain to secure the supplied nuts to the spacer in a star pattern. And don't tighten one all the way, then start on the other. Think of doing it in a few torque increments...perhaps 40 to 60 to your final spec of 90 ft lbs (or thereabouts, I forget their exact recommendation). You want as evenly spread out torque as possible.

- Offer up the wheel to the spacer as you would normally to a hub. Then follow suit as above with the wheel with regard to tightening your wheel lugs to the adapter

- Job done, I ran them for 10,000 miles with zero issues.

 

[Intruder]

Spidertrax 1.25" spacers. If you look on their website they only have the one model for Toyotas I believe. They're easy to put on - all you need is a socket, torque wrench, jack, and threadlocker. After you put them on you'll need to take the wheels off again after a few days and check the torque on the spacer nuts. IIRC you set the torque wrench to 75 ft-lbs and try to undo them. If any loosen you have to redo them with more threadlocker and check again after a few days.

There are a few things to consider though. First, you may have some rubbing even with stock size tires at full lock that may require some fender liner manipulation, caster adjustment, or worst case a body mount chop (probably unlikely with stock tire size though). They will also require extra maintenance for safety. I change between summer and winter tires and wheels and when I do this I take the spacers off, clean them up, and put them back on with fresh threadlocker. One other thing that you may run into is that when I had my brakes done at the dealership they told me that next time they'd charge me an extra hour of labour for the extra time to remove and reinstall the spacers during the service. There's also a belief that wheel spacers will cause your wheel bearings to wear out prematurely. I don't think there's any way to say that's definitely the case, but I believe it's true.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Understood about rechecking torque, etc. Makes sense. Not sure I can see how the tires would rub with my setup though, but will check again.

Intruder - why would they need to touch your spacers when servicing brakes, unless you particularly want them to service the spacers themselves?

If anyone has these installed with stock wheels, would love to see a pic or two.

 

[AlexinWC]

There's a new build thread linked below with newly installed spidertraxx 1.25" spacers with stock wheels.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/184141-jabbarjaws-countdown-build-up-2.html

I've been debating doing this myself as well.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Intruder - why would they need to touch your spacers when servicing brakes, unless you particularly want them to service the spacers themselves?

If they need to replace the rotors :biggrin1:

 

[Hoju]

Assuming you were throwing on new rims/tires, would it not be a better idea to get a different offset rather than running spacers?

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Assuming you were throwing on new rims/tires, would it not be a better idea to get a different offset rather than running spacers?

Well less moving parts so technically yes. However, Spidertrax are fantastic quality for which I have yet to hear of failure/sheared studs (NOT due operator error).

I happen to like the stock SR5 and Trail wheels. This essentially lowers the existing offset by 32mm or so and gives it a more proportional look. Flush is good but due to strict DOT and safety regulations, car makers need to tuck which dramatically ruins the look of any vehicle. Makes it look top heavy.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Assuming you were throwing on new rims/tires, would it not be a better idea to get a different offset rather than running spacers?

Absolutely. If I were swapping out the rims, I would buy some with the right amount of offset for the look/stance desired. Given that I like the SR5 wheels and I'm fairly married to them for the next 50 - 75k miles I should get out of these Michelins (I am not interesting in moving stock size tires to new rims).

 

[T4R_Finally]

Do they sell a set of 4? I see sets of pairs in blue or black anodized on the spidertrax site for 99.95 a set, part numbers WHS007 and WHS007K. But when I search other places like ebay or amazon, I see ads for "kits" but they show a picture of only 2 spacers and the descriptions don't specify whether it's 2 or 4 in the kit. However, for the kit it shows part number S2PWHS007 and the prices are higher than 99.95 - would these be sets of 4? Are there any forum sponsors that sell them?

 

[1engineer]

Well less moving parts so technically yes. However, Spidertrax are fantastic quality for which I have yet to hear of failure/sheared studs (NOT due operator error).

I happen to like the stock SR5 and Trail wheels. This essentially lowers the existing offset by 32mm or so and gives it a more proportional look. Flush is good but due to strict DOT and safety regulations, car makers need to tuck which dramatically ruins the look of any vehicle. Makes it look top heavy.

Wheels and tires are tucked in for aerodynamic efficiency. if up to regulations then they would only have to be under a fender or flare. Most vehicles are tucked in much further for efficiency.

 

[Intruder]

If they need to replace the rotors :biggrin1:

I think Toyota brake service specifies machining the rotors even if they don't need to be replaced.

 

[T4R_Finally]

I think Toyota brake service specifies machining the rotors even if they don't need to be replaced.

Makes sense - I was thinking replacing pads and didn't consider the rotors.

The build thread posted above was nice to look at and I may be looking for a needle in a haystack because I suspect most that bother with wheel spacers are probably also doing bigger tires and/or lifts. But I'd really like to see pix of a SR5 with stock wheels and stock sized tires with the spacers installed.

I just went out and washed it up good after all of the salt and mud from the ski resort. I'm not seeing anything obvious that looks like a potential rub if I put the spacers on with the tires I have. My only hesitation is that, without bigger/wider tires vs. stock, the stance may look strange in the opposite direction. Hard to tell.

 

[13S4]

Not the best pictures but here is mine with stock limited wheels and 1.25 spidertraxx. No lift.

 

[oljedi11950]

1 1/4 motorsport adapters

Here's cpl of my setup !:thumb: Never had a problem with them & of course always re-torq after 1st 500mi then should be good with tire rotation ! :hippie:

 

[3wbdriver]

Stock size tires but 1" wider wheels (17x8).

Before spacer.


After 1.25 spacer.


I did have too do the front fender mod and trim part of the mudflap. Both were very simple fixes and done with household tools. And the side of your 4R will see more road spatter.

 

[BigOlTater]

Not the best pictures but here is mine with stock limited wheels and 1.25 spidertraxx. No lift.

Any way we can get better pics? maybe outside from a distance, I got a 15 LE and have been thinking about adding these, I added them to my Rubicon a few years ago with no problems. I just like to see them with OEM Tires, thanks. Oh ya you miss that S4 yet? I sold my 2007 B7 S4 a few years ago and just picked up another one in real nice condition/ one owner on the cheap. I wanted a RS4 but still waiting for the prices to go down a bit more.

 

[itsdchz]

I do not know if any of these will help:

After Spidertraxx:

 

[13S4]

Any way we can get better pics? maybe outside from a distance, I got a 15 LE and have been thinking about adding these, I added them to my Rubicon a few years ago with no problems. I just like to see them with OEM Tires, thanks. Oh ya you miss that S4 yet? I sold my 2007 B7 S4 a few years ago and just picked up another one in real nice condition/ one owner on the cheap. I wanted a RS4 but still waiting for the prices to go down a bit more.

Yeah i'll try and get some better pictures. I do miss the S4 but not as much as I thought, I fell out of love with it as soon as I saw the new BMW M3/4's.

I'm actually really enjoying DD'ing my Tundra. I still plan on picking up another sports car in a couple years but something much more dedicated to summer. I really liked the versatility of the S4, but I think i'm always going to keep a truck for winter/hauling duties so it is a waste to have a 4DR AWD car.

 

[jicko]

I am new to all these, sorry for my ignorance, what do "spacer" do?