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Need advice on installed wheel spacers

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by TundraCoast, Oct 1, 2018.

  1. Oct 1, 2018 at 7:14 PM
    #1
    TundraCoast

    TundraCoast [OP] Member In Good Standing

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    Installed 1.25" SpiderTrax wheel spacers this weekend. The reason for the is is I like the 20" factory wheels on the truck. I was preparing to add Air Designs fender flares and figured the offset would bring the wheels out and it has.

    My issue is, I noticed right away that the ride had changed quite a bit, rougher, more unwanted road feel etc. MyTundra prior has a great ride with my lift and suspension setup. I'm now thinking that the wheel spacers need to come off.

    Looking for input on others experiences with spacers and the effect on the ride.

    The stance does look better with the hem 20's set out slightly.

    Passenger side pic with wheel spacers
    IMG_3982.jpg


    Driver side no spacers
    IMG_3983.jpg
     
  2. Oct 1, 2018 at 7:27 PM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Running spacers will have an adverse effect on steering feel, u-turns, and quite possibly how the shocks handle due to the wheels being further outboard (like a lever).

    Truck looks good, it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the ride/handling.

    Personally, I can’t stand spacers.
     
  3. Oct 1, 2018 at 7:35 PM
    #3
    TundraCoast

    TundraCoast [OP] Member In Good Standing

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    You pretty much described all the adverse effects, I was surprised how much the ride changed. It does look good and will work with the fender flares but the ride is more important to me.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  4. Oct 1, 2018 at 8:01 PM
    #4
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I posted this in another thread that the spacers or off-set wheels will effect scrub radius (GTS) and even some lifts (usually 4"+ have steering stops that even make this worse).
     
  5. Oct 2, 2018 at 1:36 AM
    #5
    Spvrtan

    Spvrtan Amateur fabricator

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    I ran Spidertrax 1.25" spacers on my truck since 5k and I'm now at 76k. I did take them off last week only because I don't need them anymore but I never had any issues with them -- I was also running 37" tires since 5k and then 40" tires since 49k. YMMV when it comes to durability but as long as you installed them right and torqued them down with threadlocker then you'll be fine. As for handling, that's a different feel for every driver and also depends on their driving style.
     
  6. Oct 2, 2018 at 6:58 PM
    #6
    TundraCoast

    TundraCoast [OP] Member In Good Standing

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    Prob a dumb question, any input on the rear wheel spacers changing the ride? Or does most of the change logically come from the front?
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Oct 2, 2018 at 7:15 PM
    #7
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    This is not a dumb question. Actually a very good one.

    You probably already know that the rear axle is more narrow than the front. This is due for tracking purposes.
     
  8. Oct 2, 2018 at 7:20 PM
    #8
    TundraCoast

    TundraCoast [OP] Member In Good Standing

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    Drove the truck today 60 miles all highway and just don't like the change, wheel spacers are coming off. Ive been careful with this truck to keep the ride as compliant and smooth as possible, this confirms spacers aren't for me.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.

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