Wheel spacers: yes or no?
#1
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Wheel spacers: yes or no?
I just put a set of 285/70/17 Toyo Open Country AT II on my '14 JKU Sport and ran them for about a week. A couple times there was a slight rub when the wheel was turned fully to the right. In one week it only happened to me once but it happened to my wife 3 times in one parking lot. I had a new set of 1.5" Spidertrax wheel spacers in case this happened. I was hoping to avoid putting them on but decided to after my wife's driving experience. Now I'm second guessing my decision. I'm a little nervous about using spacers.
I don't think I will be doing any hardcore wheeling with it in the near future before doing other more expensive mods. With the current setup I only plan on some light off-roading if any. My question is, what are your experiences if any with wheel spacers and should I keep them, or take them off and adjust my driving to avoid cutting the wheel all the way right?
I don't think I will be doing any hardcore wheeling with it in the near future before doing other more expensive mods. With the current setup I only plan on some light off-roading if any. My question is, what are your experiences if any with wheel spacers and should I keep them, or take them off and adjust my driving to avoid cutting the wheel all the way right?
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Install them correctly and maintain them, and you won't have a problem. Don't install correctly, or don't check them as part of regular maintenance, and you may be better off not running them.
Or get new rims with less backspace. Or add a washer to the steer stops.
One of the more recent threads on spacers. May be informative.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...s-safe-317080/
Or get new rims with less backspace. Or add a washer to the steer stops.
One of the more recent threads on spacers. May be informative.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...s-safe-317080/
Last edited by nthinuf; 03-19-2015 at 03:27 PM.
#4
I have been running 1.5" spacers and they been on roughly 30k miles without any issues.
I just recently had them temporally removed when I did my re-gear and when they put them back on, they used red thread lock. They said they never had any issues.
Although the spacers were used to be able to run wider Duratracs on the OEM wheels, I actually like the wider stance they give the Jeep (tires stick out beyond the fenders less of an inch but noticeable).
I just recently had them temporally removed when I did my re-gear and when they put them back on, they used red thread lock. They said they never had any issues.
Although the spacers were used to be able to run wider Duratracs on the OEM wheels, I actually like the wider stance they give the Jeep (tires stick out beyond the fenders less of an inch but noticeable).
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I was in the same boat. I just put them on this past Monday. I drove it for about 10 or so miles. Checked and re-torqued and will check them again this weekend. I used loctite red and should be good to go. Just check/re-torque during tire rotations and you'll be fine.
Plus the look is awesome. Very 'Jeep' like.
Plus the look is awesome. Very 'Jeep' like.
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Thanks guys your info as well as the inclusion of those other threads, which I wasn't able to find, have help set my mind at ease. I know I've installed them properly and that they're torqued correctly and checked after 50 miles as Spidertrax suggests. I'll keep up on the maintenance and know I'll be alright. Over 100 miles in and so far so good. Knock wood.
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#9
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Safe
Safe.
I have a 2008 JKU I bought brand new many years ago now. 65,000 miles and multiple adventures, jamborees and trail jams. My spacers have been great and problem free.
Bought SpiderTrax 1.5"
Best improvement (next to tires and lift) for the jeep.
I have a 2008 JKU I bought brand new many years ago now. 65,000 miles and multiple adventures, jamborees and trail jams. My spacers have been great and problem free.
Bought SpiderTrax 1.5"
Best improvement (next to tires and lift) for the jeep.
Last edited by RescueGreen#3; 03-19-2015 at 07:39 PM.
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Interesting. I had never thought to run these other than to add bigger tires to stock rims but in a flash i can see how making a wider stance makes sense and looks pretty good too. I like it!