Wheels spacers for 2/3" Lift - minimal thickness

[JZiggy]

Hey folks,

I know this topic has been covered millions of times so bear with me. I'm trying to make a decision that will be optimized for my application and I need the help of experienced folks here to help me sort through the noise.

I have stock wheels with 265/75R16 tires. After lifting 3" rear 2" front and adding the recommended ride quality improving mods like JBA UCAs and PCK bracket I've noticed that the truck is still a little "touchy" on the highway. It takes more steering wheel right-left correction to keep it tracking straight than I would prefer. It also bumps side to side a bit with steering input. This isn't surprising since the truck is now taller and the front track width is narrower from the control arms being at a downward angle at neutral ride height.

I also also considering an OSR kit to balance out the rear axle more.

So what I'm trying to determine is if a set of wheel spacers would help here. I'm not excited about getting a super wide stance or excessively stressing the suspension and wheel bearings.

My initial thought is to go with some Bora wheel spacers, 1" or less on the front and about 1/2" on the rear. I think this will still allow the tire tread to be covered by the thin SR5 flares and keep it from looking weird. I'm aware that <1" spacers simply fit over the hub and require the original lug studs to be used -- as long as there's sufficient thread contact (Bora says 7 threads minimum) then it should be OK. I think??

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Bad Luck]

Hey folks,

I know this topic has been covered millions of times so bear with me. I'm trying to make a decision that will be optimized for my application and I need the help of experienced folks here to help me sort through the noise.

I have stock wheels with 265/75R16 tires. After lifting 3" rear 2" front and adding the recommended ride quality improving mods like JBA UCAs and PCK bracket I've noticed that the truck is still a little "touchy" on the highway. It takes more steering wheel right-left correction to keep it tracking straight than I would prefer. It also bumps side to side a bit with steering input. This isn't surprising since the truck is now taller and the front track width is narrower from the control arms being at a downward angle at neutral ride height.

I also also considering an OSR kit to balance out the rear axle more.

So what I'm trying to determine is if a set of wheel spacers would help here. I'm not excited about getting a super wide stance or excessively stressing the suspension and wheel bearings.

My initial thought is to go with some Bora wheel spacers, 1" or less on the front and about 1/2" on the rear. I think this will still allow the tire tread to be covered by the thin SR5 flares and keep it from looking weird. I'm aware that <1" spacers simply fit over the hub and require the original lug studs to be used -- as long as there's sufficient thread contact (Bora says 7 threads minimum) then it should be OK. I think??

Any input would be appreciated!

I think anything over 1/4" spacer is going to require longer lug studs to be used. I would go with 1.25" spacers in the front so you don't have to modify/replace the front studs. I don't think any of the wheel spacers that don't get bolted to the hub are hub centric either.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

BORA makes hub centric in everything except for the 1/4” size from what I’ve seen. You should be able to run the 1” without shaving the original studs but I don’t remember seeing any 3rd gens running that particular size. It seems to be pretty popular with the 2005+ Tacoma/ 2003+ 4Runner/ GX platforms. I don’t think they have to shave studs for that size to fit.

 

[Zhehan]

Hey folks,

I know this topic has been covered millions of times so bear with me. I'm trying to make a decision that will be optimized for my application and I need the help of experienced folks here to help me sort through the noise.

I have stock wheels with 265/75R16 tires. After lifting 3" rear 2" front and adding the recommended ride quality improving mods like JBA UCAs and PCK bracket I've noticed that the truck is still a little "touchy" on the highway. It takes more steering wheel right-left correction to keep it tracking straight than I would prefer. It also bumps side to side a bit with steering input. This isn't surprising since the truck is now taller and the front track width is narrower from the control arms being at a downward angle at neutral ride height.

I also also considering an OSR kit to balance out the rear axle more.

So what I'm trying to determine is if a set of wheel spacers would help here. I'm not excited about getting a super wide stance or excessively stressing the suspension and wheel bearings.

My initial thought is to go with some Bora wheel spacers, 1" or less on the front and about 1/2" on the rear. I think this will still allow the tire tread to be covered by the thin SR5 flares and keep it from looking weird. I'm aware that <1" spacers simply fit over the hub and require the original lug studs to be used -- as long as there's sufficient thread contact (Bora says 7 threads minimum) then it should be OK. I think??

Any input would be appreciated!

Have you installed Poly Steering Rack bushings? I was one of the first people I know who installed the ES bushings 20+ years ago. Those made a huge difference in steering control and definitely reduced the wandering. Speaking of bushings, how are the rear control arm bushings? Those really matter.

The last time I replaced the steering rack bushings, the "D" shaped bushing from ES was really soft. So much so that you could see the rack move up and down as you turned the steering wheel.

I bought a Whiteline kit and that that bushing had a much firmer durometer. Installed it and problem solved. The Whiteline kit # is: W12978 Whiteline Steering - rack and pinion mount bushing
– Whiteline USA

 

[JZiggy]

Have you installed Poly Steering Rack bushings? I was one of the first people I know who installed the ES bushings 20+ years ago. Those made a huge difference in steering control and definitely reduced the wandering. Speaking of bushings, how are the rear control arm bushings? Those really matter.

The last time I replaced the steering rack bushings, the "D" shaped bushing from ES was really soft. So much so that you could see the rack move up and down as you turned the steering wheel.

I bought a Whiteline kit and that that bushing had a much firmer durometer. Installed it and problem solved. The Whiteline kit # is: W12978 Whiteline Steering - rack and pinion mount bushing
– Whiteline USA

Thanks! The rack is OEM new, all bushings are fresh. No stones unturned