This might be a dumb question... Can you use 1" or 1.5" spacers on existing wheels and tires to widen the truck's stance? Would either of these make a noticeable difference?

 

For answers to your questions (and more) ...

 

That thread is kinda lacking on information but does have some good take home points. only go 1/2" at most if you are using a flat spacer. Much more and you will have a bit too little on the hub for the wheel to rest on.

I'm looking to go with wheel spacers that use new studs and have a new hub ring. These are extremely strong and will make sure nothing breaks, but comes at a price. Also measure the stud length you have, see if the wheel has a relief in it, and see how large you need to go to eclipse the stud completely, or get new studs. see below:

http://www.wheeladapter.com/ford_wheel_spacers.php

 

Wow. Thanks.

 

I have the wheel adapter.com setup on my one truck for the reason of converting lug pattern. They are really nice and built very well. Most importantly they are hub centric both on the rim side as well as the trucks hub side. You are stressing the wheel bearings more but no more than an offset rim would. His adapters and spacers are pretty spendy though.... to the tune of more than I think most people want to ever pay. And no they aren't aluminum.... mine are just over 15 lbs each chunks of steel.

 

Lacking information ?????

The maximum safe spacer thickness without installing longer studs is ¼". The wheel stud is 1½" long which includes a ½" non-threaded nipple. The ½" spacer would eliminate 50% of the wheel stud thread which would IMO not be safe.
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Check out the adapters/spacers made by Fred Goeske. They're some of the best available. Whatever you do, you definitely don't want to go cheap. Make sure they are both hub & wheel centric.

I've been running 1.5" Fred Goeske hub & wheel centric spacers for quite some time with zero issues.

This does increase your front tires' scrub radius. So, make sure you'll still be able to clear without any serious rubbing issues.

 

gDMJoe - Specifically I was referring to the addition that I made... a link to a spacer that had its own studs that was hub centric. The linked ones were either for thin spacers or did not specify its design for centering on the one that had studs. Note that it is necessary to have a hub centric design for a spacer that has its own studs as this is how the wheel is supported and centered, not just on the studs. This was also left out of the other thread. no need to take offense.

EDIT: wanted to add that gDMJoe is probably right about having 1/2" of threads is not enough for a secure fit. Secondly I also noticed that wheel studs run from 3-4 dollars a piece. so for a but under 100 you can get new studs and get the needed length to be sure it is safe. so if the larger adapters I posted are too much to swing, larger standard spacers will be fine with the studs as long as you do not limit the amount of the centering ring of the hub too much.