wheel spacers
#2
JK Jedi
Wheel spacers are bad, avoid them. wheel adapters are fine and is what most people use. Follow the instructions with loc-tite and proper torque and you should not see any issues. If you are looking for a solution for oversized tires most bigger rubber manufactureres recommend a wheel wider then stock and generally in the 8"-10" range.
#3
JK Jedi Master
I take it you're referring to the kind that just push the wheel out on the existing studs, rather than have new studs inserted into the adapter? I've always referred to either as "wheel spacers", but can see the advantage of a terminology difference. However, even the manufacturers use "spacer" to refer to adapters sometimes.
#4
look for "hub centric". I have had mine on for 3 years, always check 5# under the torque setting. I run my lug nuts at 105#, and check the spacer lugs at 100ft#. never had one back off. I check the spacers every 10,000 miles, when I do the 5 tire rotation.