Wider wheel vs using spacers

[PuroPinchePedo]

So I have a 97 4runner limited. It has the huge factory flares. It's 2wd and I want to lift it. I also want to use a wider wheel so it fills up the flares. I see a lot of people use spacers. Is there any difference with using a 10inch wide wheel as oppose to going 7or8 inch and adding a 1.25 spacer? I would prefer not to use the spacer but don't know if anyone has had a problem with either set up. Thanks!​

 

[Skidmarcx]

It's better to not use them because it puts more stress on your lug nuts, but it's an option if you can't afford new wheels.

 

[cdrewferd]

Wider wheels isn't necessarily what you need. You need wheels with less backspacing. Most stock Toyota wheels have around 4.65" backspacing. Get a wheel that has 4" or 3.5".

 

[Brilliant]

Lug stress concern is largely nonsese for hubcentric spacers.

Its more about the chance to use them incorrectly and more to go wrong.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Lug stress concern is largely nonsese for hubcentric spacers.

Its more about the chance to use them incorrectly and more to go wrong.

Exactly!

The stresses on the lugs increase regardless of whether you use spacers, or a more negative offset wheel. The hubcentric wheel and spacer reduce this enough it is not a real concern. Provided you install correctly and don't get stupid wide. Spacers can be a pain, but certainly more economical than replacing the wheels.

:couch2:

 

[Nelsonmd]

Wider wheels isn't necessarily what you need. You need wheels with less backspacing. Most stock Toyota wheels have around 4.65" backspacing. Get a wheel that has 4" or 3.5".

Bingo. THis is correct, don't go wider, go with different backspacing

Exactly!

The stresses on the lugs increase regardless of whether you use spacers, or a more negative offset wheel. The hubcentric wheel and spacer reduce this enough it is not a real concern. Provided you install correctly and don't get stupid wide. Spacers can be a pain, but certainly more economical than replacing the wheels.

:couch2:

They are not quite the same loading though. Less backspaced wheels will put less stress on the lugs than using hub-centric spacers, but both of these will put less on them than lug centric spacers.

With the hub centric spacers, you are turning some of the shear stress into a moment (bending stress). While less-backspaced wheel increase the overall moment on the hub, that stress is imparted to the lugs very close to the hub, whereas with spacers the lug nut is closer to the end of the lug, so the bending stress on the lugs can increase a bit.

For less back-spaced wheels, the wheel itself takes a bit more of the stress that will be taken by the spacer and lugs in you go that route.

That said, guys that have properly installed good hub-centric spacers have wheeled them with relatively little problems, so I'd say follow the money, whichever is cheaper.

Just be sure to get legitimate hub centric spacers, not ebay specials. Trash aluminum and poor tolerances can significantly increase the stress the spacers will put on your lugs.

 

[PuroPinchePedo]

Ok... I will absolutely make sure of the backspacing. I would prefer to avoid the spacers cuz I feel like the less I have to add the better. Great info, much appreciated!​

 

[PuroPinchePedo]

Wider wheels isn't necessarily what you need. You need wheels with less backspacing. Most stock Toyota wheels have around 4.65" backspacing. Get a wheel that has 4" or 3.5".

So help me understand backspacing. So the lower the number the more the rim would stick out the side of the vehicle? So the wheels in the pic I attached would work well then?​

 

[thebrandon]

aside from the lug pattern yes, they would work.

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Good info here

 

[BrianSD_42]

Just don't be like me ...


285x75x16 w/ 1.5" spacers, factory Toyota 5-Star 16" Wheel.


Damage report:
1. Bottomed out the front end when I hit some dirt mogals on my way out of DV. This resulted in a bent passenger fender because my 285s were sticking out toooo far. The front drivers and passenger flares completely popped off.



Bent Passenger Fender

 

[PuroPinchePedo]

Just don't be like me ...


285x75x16 w/ 1.5" spacers, factory Toyota 5-Star 16" Wheel.


Damage report:
1. Bottomed out the front end when I hit some dirt mogals on my way out of DV. This resulted in a bent passenger fender because my 285s were sticking out toooo far. The front drivers and passenger flares completely popped off.



Bent Passenger Fender

Funny you point that out. My truck had the lower ball joint go out and the front pass wheel fell into the fender causing the same problem. Let me ask you a question. I feel it would probably be better to find another fender at a salvage yard with the same paint job than fixing that one. Have you fixed yours yet and if so, what did you do or planning on doing?​

 

[BrianSD_42]

It was bent back for about $100-$150.

Basically the shop charged me $240 to rebend the panel back (they did a good job) and to repaint both front limited flare pieces.

It's already bent back and I am going to mount the flares today.

If you want to read more see my thread and say hi.


Link ----> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...2-photo-journal-build-maintenance-thread.html

 

[Brilliant]

Exactly!
The stresses on the lugs increase regardless of whether you use spacers, or a more negative offset wheel. The hubcentric wheel and spacer reduce this enough it is not a real concern. Provided you install correctly and don't get stupid wide. Spacers can be a pain, but certainly more economical than replacing the wheels.
:couch2:

Assuming the distance tire rides inside/outside the fender is fixed. Worst case lug centric, its a beam in bending. Sheer is constant, moment at the hub lugs is the same for both cases (spacer or offset wheel). Moment on the wheel/spacer interface is less than the hub.

Hub centric spacers, hub centric wheels with the same gap, the hub gets loaded the same. The spacer sees less bending than the hub, same shear. Spacers or offset, where the tire rides relative to the hub creates load the hub lugs see.

Been some time though, my 1st year could be off.