Deciding Wheel Spacer thickness Data
02-15-2015, 03:51 PM
#1
Let me start off by saying I am NO expert. I've been trying to decide what thickness of wheel spacer to go with so I did a little measuring and documented what I came up with. There have been several posts that have been VERY helpful but I still didn't get everything I needed. I wanted to post it in case someone else is in my shoes and having a hard time deciding. I'll try and label the pictures below as accurately as possible. Let me know if you have any questions about how I got to where I am. Again, before I get blasted, which has become too common on this forum, I'm just trying to be helpful. I AM NO EXPERT.
This "tucked" look is what I'm trying to eliminate. Not terrible but it's my preference.
Another shot of wheel/tire tucked up under truck.
These are the tools I used to measure.
Here you can see the gap between the rear rear tire and the fender. I made sure the truck was as level side to side as possible. The level is dead plumb.
2-1/8" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the face of the rear wheel.
1-1/4" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the center of the rear tire bulge.
2-1/2" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the edge of the rear tire tread edge.
1-5/8" is the Distance from the edge of the fender to the front wheel face.
7/8" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the front tire bulge.
2" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the edge of the front tire tread edge.
So, just to be clear when I say edge of fender I'm talking about the trim that's attached to the aluminum body. Overall there is "about" 3/8" difference between the rear tire tuck and the fronts. I believe there may be several reasons for this. First, the front fender starts to curve in way towards the front so even though I measured at the wheel center point it may be a tad narrower than the rear. Another reason and probably the most plausible is that my 2" AutoSpring spacer has changed the geometry enough to "move" the wheel out the ~3/8"-1/2".
Here is ROUGH drawing to recap the above photos.
Stock 20" PDV lariat wheel with stock 275/55/20 Goodyear Wranglers.
Stock wheel studs are just over 1-1/2" and just barely under 1-5/8". Zoom in and you can see what I mean. This is important if you're thinking of going with 1" spacers. You'll see in the next photo that the wheel has a pocket or space to accommodate the studs without cutting them.
Pockets in wheel with are 5/8" deep. Here is where if you decide on 1" spacers you SHOULDN'T have to cut your stock studs. The stud will simply go into the pocket or cavity on the back of the wheel.
Pocket or cavity on rear of wheel depth is 5/8"
Just in case somebody needed the offset on this style wheel.
Hope this helps anyone still trying to decide on wheel spacer thickness. I think I have decided to go with 1-1/4" spacers. Now just to decide on Brand. $200 delivered for Bora spacers. I've read tons of reviews and haven't seen anything negative about them when installed correctly. Fred Goeske 1-1/4" go for $365. These are bullet proof from what I've read. To each his own on brand, right? As long as safety isn't a factor either should do. Hmmmmmmmm??????
I even considered 1" in the front and 1-1/4" in the rear based on my measurements but I did not want to open up the staggered wheel can of worms. I think 1-1/4" will be a good compromise for me.
Hope this helps
This "tucked" look is what I'm trying to eliminate. Not terrible but it's my preference.
Another shot of wheel/tire tucked up under truck.
These are the tools I used to measure.
Here you can see the gap between the rear rear tire and the fender. I made sure the truck was as level side to side as possible. The level is dead plumb.
2-1/8" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the face of the rear wheel.
1-1/4" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the center of the rear tire bulge.
2-1/2" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the edge of the rear tire tread edge.
1-5/8" is the Distance from the edge of the fender to the front wheel face.
7/8" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the front tire bulge.
2" is the distance from the edge of the fender to the edge of the front tire tread edge.
So, just to be clear when I say edge of fender I'm talking about the trim that's attached to the aluminum body. Overall there is "about" 3/8" difference between the rear tire tuck and the fronts. I believe there may be several reasons for this. First, the front fender starts to curve in way towards the front so even though I measured at the wheel center point it may be a tad narrower than the rear. Another reason and probably the most plausible is that my 2" AutoSpring spacer has changed the geometry enough to "move" the wheel out the ~3/8"-1/2".
Here is ROUGH drawing to recap the above photos.
Stock 20" PDV lariat wheel with stock 275/55/20 Goodyear Wranglers.
Stock wheel studs are just over 1-1/2" and just barely under 1-5/8". Zoom in and you can see what I mean. This is important if you're thinking of going with 1" spacers. You'll see in the next photo that the wheel has a pocket or space to accommodate the studs without cutting them.
Pockets in wheel with are 5/8" deep. Here is where if you decide on 1" spacers you SHOULDN'T have to cut your stock studs. The stud will simply go into the pocket or cavity on the back of the wheel.
Pocket or cavity on rear of wheel depth is 5/8"
Just in case somebody needed the offset on this style wheel.
Hope this helps anyone still trying to decide on wheel spacer thickness. I think I have decided to go with 1-1/4" spacers. Now just to decide on Brand. $200 delivered for Bora spacers. I've read tons of reviews and haven't seen anything negative about them when installed correctly. Fred Goeske 1-1/4" go for $365. These are bullet proof from what I've read. To each his own on brand, right? As long as safety isn't a factor either should do. Hmmmmmmmm??????
I even considered 1" in the front and 1-1/4" in the rear based on my measurements but I did not want to open up the staggered wheel can of worms. I think 1-1/4" will be a good compromise for me.
Hope this helps
Last edited by paco7771; 02-15-2015 at 07:32 PM.
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paco7771 (02-15-2015)
02-15-2015, 05:15 PM
#4
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paco7771 (02-15-2015)
02-15-2015, 06:19 PM
#5
Senior Member
Paco I like you are no expert,but from what I've gathered if you go less then a 1.5" spacer the studs will be sticking out to far and if the rims don't have a pocket obviously this can be a problem. I'm sure someone on here with more knowledge on the subject will chime in shortly.if you haven't already check out
Dubsesd's thread My 2015 lifted Platinum I believe this subject is discussed.
Dubsesd's thread My 2015 lifted Platinum I believe this subject is discussed.
02-15-2015, 07:46 PM
#6
Paco I like you are no expert,but from what I've gathered if you go less then a 1.5" spacer the studs will be sticking out to far and if the rims don't have a pocket obviously this can be a problem. I'm sure someone on here with more knowledge on the subject will chime in shortly.if you haven't already check out
Dubsesd's thread My 2015 lifted Platinum I believe this subject is discussed.
Dubsesd's thread My 2015 lifted Platinum I believe this subject is discussed.
I did check out his thread. It was very helpful. This is what sparked my curiosity on my wheels having the pocket. If you'll notice in my post I did take the wheel off and discovered the pocket. Picture posted in my post of the 5/8" deep pocket. You can actually get away with 1" spacer on this type of wheel. The pocket IS deep enough to accept the rest of the stud.
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squirrelyyy (02-15-2015)
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02-26-2015, 01:50 PM
#8
Tracking says I should receive them Saturday. I'm planning on installing ASAP. I'll post pictures after.
Oh, I went with the Bora 1.25" spacers.
Oh, I went with the Bora 1.25" spacers.
Last edited by paco7771; 02-26-2015 at 01:53 PM.
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nix150 (02-26-2015)
