im running 35s on a 16x8 rims, and I want to get my stance a little wider, is there any downsides to running wheel spacers? also what are some good brands? ive got an 07 6speed with a 3 inch lift and 35s, 3.21 gears :(

 

It's tough to fit in the compact car spots anymore.....that's the downside. It can also be impossible to fit it on a standard u-haul tow dolly without removing the wheel spacers (personal experience).

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Depending on your current backspacing, you will be pushing your unit bearings to their limits, most tire shops won't go anywhere near your Jeep for liability reasons, and you can find yourself in some pretty precarious situations if you don't check torque with every tire rotation.

Wheel spacers are much safer than most people think. Just make sure you get a hubcentric set.

 

I can tell you my harrowing experience with spacers this summer. I got the 1-1/2" spacers from Tellico and took them to the local shop to install. I just wanted a little wider stance like you mention.
The shop thought they knew everything and didn't even read the warning/disclaimers on the box. Put them on without the locktite. Used an impact wrench and sped through the install. Of course I didn't know anything about spacers and trusted them.
When we got to Ouray, on a shoulderless mountain road we heard a grinding noise from the left front wheel. Stopped at a garage in Silverton...didn't find anything. Went on.
The grinding progressed into a wobble! Stopped. Of the 20 lug nuts, 10 were loose (finger turn) and one was gone! A stud on the spacer was gone, replaced by metal shavings. We were close to possibly going over the edge if the wheel came off.
Got to Durango, Jeep dealer. Horrors. They were adamant that spacers are trouble and not to use them. Almost tried to charge me for replacing the axle, etc. So I paid to have them installed once and then paid them again to have them uninstalled.
So I would obviously not recommend them. Save up and get some offset wheels instead.

 

Properly installed wheel adapters are fine. People confuse a spacer from an adapter and some manufactures mis label them as well. A spacer fits between the hub and wheel and uses the axle stud. An adapter will bolt on to the factory studs and will have new studs that the wheel mounts too.

Adding a 1.75" adapter to the factory wheel is the the same as running a 4.5" bs wheel as far as the wear and tear on the hubs and ball joints are concerned. 4.5" bs wheels is what is recommended for a 35"x12.5" tire to maintain full steering without rubbing.

Incompetence is no excuse for not recommending a product. Having a bad experience with a product due to improper installation is not a problem of the product, it is due to owner that did not check to see if it were installed properly. A new wheel installed improperly would do the same thing and be just as dangerous.

Spidertrax and ballistic are two quality companies.

 

There is the root of the problem, not the spacers themselves. The point of loctite on the spacer is to "help" prevent any liability issues. I do not run loctite on my spacers (75k miles now) and will not. The impact wrench is another problem area in the hands of the wrong user.


OP- you can expect a similar experience (or worse) if you fail to tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque spec.

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When installing adapters, spacers, aftermarket wheels, etc., make sure the retainers pointed out in the picture are removed.
The wheels from the factory are made to account for the retainer. Many aftermarket products are not.
If they remain in place, they can cause the wheel to loosen and come off.

 

Just goes to show that you should learn how to do your own wrench twisting if you want things done right.

 

That or find a competent mechanic.

 

X2 on this. Most issues I have heard are due to improper installation and maintenance. Sticking with a proven reputable manufacturer should be a no brainer.