Wheel Spacer (again)

[DukeCanBuildit]

I have new Bilstein 5100 shocks and struts, OEM tires and aftermarket rims (same size as OEM). The struts are adjustable but i had them installed as they were out of the box (no lift).

Your new rims might be the same size but are they the same offset? If they are a lower offset, that’s like adding even bigger spacers.

Offset is a funny thing when it comes to Ranger crash bars - sure, you’re pushing your tires further out, but when the wheels are turned, you’re pushing them closer to the crash bars.

There’e’s only one way to know for sure, put them on and see. I think you’re going to rub at full lock, especially with a bit of compression.

I won’t give you any grief about the amount of poke, wheel bearings or liability if you lose a wheel - when someone’s from NC, SC, GA, or FL, it’s all about poke. Oh, TX too. Not judging, it’s a thing. ?

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[OFC Ranger]

To put simple the guys behind the counter are not wrong. Anytime you change your tire position with wheels or wheel spacers giving you a different offset will cause bearings to wear out quicker and cost tires to wear out quicker. I can also change the dynamics of a vehicle drastically depending on how much of change it is. Real spacers alone are also dangerous and considered illegal in certain places because if not done right your wheel will fall off.

The problem is the rather arbitrary randomness of what they consider a liability. A shop that won't install spacers (in this case we are talking about 1.25" and not 6" bro-truck spacers) will probably do all other kinds of modifications without dropping a hat that take a vehicle out of spec or violate EPA regulations.

That particular reason is why I roll my eyes at these shops. Either you are by the book shop or you are not.

It is the same reason when anyone on here gets rambling about taking something out of spec is playing with fire, yet they have modifications that take their truck out of spec. All I can think this amounts to is at some point in their life somebody that knows somebody told some anecdotal story that may be true or complete bullshit and now they treat it as gospel. It is a rather silly way to carry yourself through life. I wish every day people would use the same formulation we use on my job, we call it the "reasonable person doctrine".

Example: A reasonable person with the same knowledge, or lack of knowledge, would come to the same conclusion that that reversing your brake and gas pedal positions is stupid and dangerous.

Also, appeal to authority fallacies are some of the worst of the whole list of those things. That fallacy is particularly dangerous - just look what happened to our nation in a small 3 years after one quack job doctor got to make all the decisions.

 

[Frenchy]

The problem is the rather arbitrary randomness of what they consider a liability. A shop that won't install spacers (in this case we are talking about 1.25" and not 6" bro-truck spacers) will probably do all other kinds of modifications without dropping a hat that take a vehicle out of spec or violate EPA regulations.

That particular reason is why I roll my eyes at these shops. Either you are by the book shop or you are not.

It is the same reason when anyone on here gets rambling about taking something out of spec is playing with fire, yet they have modifications that take their truck out of spec. All I can think this amounts to is at some point in their life somebody that knows somebody told some anecdotal story that may be true or complete bullshit and now they treat it as gospel. It is a rather silly way to carry yourself through life. I wish every day people would use the same formulation we use on my job, we call it the "reasonable person doctrine".

Example: A reasonable person with the same knowledge, or lack of knowledge, would come to the same conclusion that that reversing your brake and gas pedal positions is stupid and dangerous.

Also, appeal to authority fallacies are some of the worst of the whole list of those things. That fallacy is particularly dangerous - just look what happened to our nation in a small 3 years after one quack job doctor got to make all the decisions.

In general fair points. That said when it comes down to spacers vs wheels when changing to tire position with Offset many will agree that it would be best with a wheel over a spacer. Even though you still increase the wear of hub bearing and what not it will be much easier and safer to make sure the wheels are torqued down and won't fall off

 

[OFC Ranger]

In general fair points. That said when it comes down to spacers vs wheels when changing to tire position with Offset many will agree that it would be best with a wheel over a spacer. Even though you still increase the wear of hub bearing and what not it will be much easier and safer to make sure the wheels are torqued down and won't fall off

I don't mind the argument of wear & tear. That is factually correct. We all do stuff we acknowledge means maintenance will come sooner because of our mods.

I make sure to change my oil every 3,000 miles with full synthetic because I run a 93 performance tune exclusively. I know the smart route is to step up intervals, not keep it the same.

What I absolutely despise are "oh no you are gonna die!" arguments.

I can even accept the "spacers are OK as long as they come from an established company or are constructed properly or you are going to die" argument. That is where reasonable person doctrine comes in.

If you buy 4 spacers from CHI-DONG-LING XU PROVINCE off Amazon for $60 for all four... yea you are a dumbass.

But these well established companies have been in business for years, some decades. If their products were actually dangerous they would have been sued into oblivion or the government would have grabbed them by the sack.

 

[Grumpaw]

I don't mind the argument of wear & tear. That is factually correct. We all do stuff we acknowledge means maintenance will come sooner because of our mods.

I make sure to change my oil every 3,000 miles with full synthetic because I run a 93 performance tune exclusively. I know the smart route is to step up intervals, not keep it the same.

What I absolutely despise are "oh no you are gonna die!" arguments.

I can even accept the "spacers are OK as long as they come from an established company or are constructed properly or you are going to die" argument. That is where reasonable person doctrine comes in.

If you buy 4 spacers from CHI-DONG-LING XU PROVINCE off Amazon for $60 for all four... yea you are a dumbass.

But these well established companies have been in business for years, some decades. If their products were actually dangerous they would have been sued into oblivion or the government would have grabbed them by the sack.

So, short version is my wheels ain't gonna fall off and I'm not gonna die ???? (at least from falling off wheels)

 

[OFC Ranger]

.

So, short version is my wheels ain't gonna fall off and I'm not gonna die ???? (at least from falling off wheels)

I run 1" eibach blocks in the rear AND Autospring leaf helpers.

I am going to double die. I am going to die so hard my dog is going to fall over dead too.

 

[Msfitoy]

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I run 1" eibach blocks in the rear AND Autospring leaf helpers.

I am going to double die. I am going to die so hard my dog is going to fall over dead too.

I'm right behind you bro...?

 

[Grumpaw]

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I run 1" eibach blocks in the rear AND Autospring leaf helpers.

I am going to double die. I am going to die so hard my dog is going to fall over dead too.

NOOOOO !!! Save the dog !!!

 

[seasprite]

I'll just leave this here ?

 

[RangerFitz]

I just swapped 1.0" to 1.5". No issues with either. I have a set off FF 1" spacers for sale if anyone is interested!

 

[Joeiconic]

I don’t have an opinion on wheel spacers, but was just watching this recovery video involving a 4Runner that had the wheel break off. At around the 14 minute market they attribute it to wheel spacers.

 

[deleriumtremor]

I don’t have an opinion on wheel spacers, but was just watching this recovery video involving a 4Runner that had the wheel break off. At around the 14 minute market they attribute it to wheel spacers.

Yeah well, I think they are putting good at dragging 4 by's out of tight spots, but I think I would be a little careful assuming either of these two guys have the faintest idea what caused the failure.

 

[DranC]

Throwing off your ride and wearing down wheel bearings are only two things you need to worry about. If you’re completely stock, you may get away with not rubbing…….maybe.

That big spacer size is like moving to a +17mm wheel offset from the OEM wheel offset of +55mm. It puts you into a bit of a danger zone as far as rubbing on crash bars is concerned. If your truck isn’t levelled or lifted, even more chance of rubbing. Wider or taller tires than OEM, even more of a chance. Aftermarket wheels with a lower offset than OEM, more trouble yet.

Knowing a bit about your current wheel/tire combo and suspension would help folks give you their best take on the situation. What’s your setup?

OK, after doing some digging, my OEM rims are apparently +55 offset and my new rims are +18 offset. My 1.5 inch wheel spacer is 38mm. So if I'm thinking of this correctly, with the spacer on my offset will be -20. Yes? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks man..

 

[Frenchy]

OK, after doing some digging, my OEM rims are apparently +55 offset and my new rims are +18 offset. My 1.5 inch wheel spacer is 38mm. So if I'm thinking of this correctly, with the spacer on my offset will be -20. Yes? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks man..

Do yourself a favor and leave the spacers alone. Clearly you are already changing the Offset by a good bit with just the wheels. If you want to change the offset more then buy a different set of wheels.

Why do I say this you ask? Even though there is an increased chance of hubs wearing out faster with the increased Offset, you will have less chance of a wheel falling off with just a wheel vs wheel and spacer as the spacer will be tough to make sure it is secured correctly.

If you decide not to follow this advice the. You are simply on your own there.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

OK, after doing some digging, my OEM rims are apparently +55 offset and my new rims are +18 offset. My 1.5 inch wheel spacer is 38mm. So if I'm thinking of this correctly, with the spacer on my offset will be -20. Yes? What are your thoughts on this? Thanks man..

Yes, and that’s just WAY too much.

With your new rims, +18mm and a modest level would keep you in the clear and poke a bit of tread and sidewall past the wheel wells (depending on your tires). Without the front levelled (coilovers out of the box), you still might be okay as far as clearing those crash bars.

This is what a 2” level, +15mm offset, and 275/70R17 (32.2”) tires looks like.

I was very close to rubbing and had to remove the front crash bar covers as well as loosen the front and rear crash bars and angle them back out of the way. Eventually, I replaced them with higher clearance ReadyLIFT anti-intrusion beams.

That’s not a lot of poke but then again, I’m not from a southeastern state. ?

But, yeah, those spacers aren’t even necessary at this point and if you were to install them, along with crash bars, you’d be catching fender liners, fog lamp housings, and a host of other things.

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