How do make your tires even, or do you? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70Chevy4x4Nut · 08-23-2003, 10:20 PM

On a 4x4 the rear axle is about 3" narrower then the front. I myself would like to make the tires look even when looking at it down the side. Spacers is one way, but I have heard some do not like them. So is there another way? Or should I just forget it?

Let me know what you have done, if anything to solve that.
And what kind of problems would I run into with the spacers?

Scrub · 08-23-2003, 11:41 PM

I would never use spacers. They put too much strain on the lug bolts. If you are really worried about it, I would find wheels with wider offsets for the back. I have about 16 differnt wheels and I know the offsets are different enough among my wheels that I could pair uo a set to handle 3 inches.

Personally, I don't worry about it.

70Chevy4x4Nut · 08-24-2003, 12:08 AM

It's not so much worry, as I think it looks better. I could live with it if I had to. I had also thought of correcting it with wheel offset, and that may be a real good way of doing it. The drawback is not easy to rotate tires. I guess I really wanted some opinions from those that have done it, how they did it, and how it's working out.

85 K5 · 08-24-2003, 07:50 AM

I've heard some vans have wider rear axles. You could update to 14 bolt full floater. I run 1.5" spacers but for the first 4-500 miles I pulled the wheels and checked torque on all bolts at least every 100 miles. I would think this puts extra stress on axle bearings but I've read others have used them for years without any problems.

CRRoy71 · 08-24-2003, 02:02 PM

I run the 1.5" billet spacers on mine.
I haven't had any problems for over a year now.
(Knocking on wood)

70Chevy4x4Nut · 08-24-2003, 06:09 PM

Hey 85 K5, what year vans would I be looking at? And will they be 5 bolt pattern, cause I have 6 bolt now. Would like to leave them 6 bolt if possible. If the van axles don't work, then the spacers seem to be the way to go.

**MJN** · 08-24-2003, 10:27 PM

They made trucks like that so that they would track better and it improves off roading too, got something to do with the front end and steering.

70Chevy4x4Nut · 08-24-2003, 11:09 PM

Does it actually track better? Do the new 4x4's have this design? I don't think they do. I wonder when that all changed.

1969 GMC · 08-24-2003, 11:45 PM

if you have 6 lug, then you can't get a 14 bolt FF, they are 8 bolt.

**MJN** · 08-27-2003, 06:35 PM

Our '94 S-15 Jimmy has the rears set in and the fronts stick out, might just be a 4x4 thing. I've seen the newer trucks with the frontend wider than the rear.

70Chevy4x4Nut · 08-27-2003, 09:04 PM

I guess I have'nt really taken a good look at the newer trucks. I will look closer. Maybe even take a measurement. Thanks

*1FaastC10* · 08-29-2003, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 1969 GMC
if you have 6 lug, then you can't get a 14 bolt FF, they are 8 bolt.

custom axles man... you could have 4lug if you wanted to

08-23-2003, 10:20 PM	#1
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	How do make your tires even, or do you? On a 4x4 the rear axle is about 3" narrower then the front. I myself would like to make the tires look even when looking at it down the side. Spacers is one way, but I have heard some do not like them. So is there another way? Or should I just forget it? Let me know what you have done, if anything to solve that. And what kind of problems would I run into with the spacers?

08-23-2003, 11:41 PM	#2
Scrub Collector of rusty Items Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sisters,Oregon USA Posts: 731	I would never use spacers. They put too much strain on the lug bolts. If you are really worried about it, I would find wheels with wider offsets for the back. I have about 16 differnt wheels and I know the offsets are different enough among my wheels that I could pair uo a set to handle 3 inches. Personally, I don't worry about it. __________________ Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

08-24-2003, 07:50 AM	#4
85 K5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Spring TX Posts: 113	I've heard some vans have wider rear axles. You could update to 14 bolt full floater. I run 1.5" spacers but for the first 4-500 miles I pulled the wheels and checked torque on all bolts at least every 100 miles. I would think this puts extra stress on axle bearings but I've read others have used them for years without any problems. __________________ 350 Crate 10 bolt 3.73 2.5 lift 32x11.50 1904 Edelbrock http://www.oplnk.net/~spirit/K5front.jpg

08-24-2003, 02:02 PM	#5
CRRoy71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Mont Belvieu, TX Posts: 852	I run the 1.5" billet spacers on mine. I haven't had any problems for over a year now. (Knocking on wood) __________________ Chris '92 ext. cab s/b 4.3L "Sparky" '04 crew cab 2500 4x4 6.0L

08-24-2003, 11:45 PM	#9
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	if you have 6 lug, then you can't get a 14 bolt FF, they are 8 bolt. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

08-24-2003, 12:08 AM	#3
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	It's not so much worry, as I think it looks better. I could live with it if I had to. I had also thought of correcting it with wheel offset, and that may be a real good way of doing it. The drawback is not easy to rotate tires. I guess I really wanted some opinions from those that have done it, how they did it, and how it's working out.

08-24-2003, 06:09 PM	#6
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	Hey 85 K5, what year vans would I be looking at? And will they be 5 bolt pattern, cause I have 6 bolt now. Would like to leave them 6 bolt if possible. If the van axles don't work, then the spacers seem to be the way to go.

08-24-2003, 10:27 PM	#7
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 3,051	They made trucks like that so that they would track better and it improves off roading too, got something to do with the front end and steering.

08-24-2003, 11:09 PM	#8
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	Does it actually track better? Do the new 4x4's have this design? I don't think they do. I wonder when that all changed.

08-27-2003, 06:35 PM	#10
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 3,051	Our '94 S-15 Jimmy has the rears set in and the fronts stick out, might just be a 4x4 thing. I've seen the newer trucks with the frontend wider than the rear.

08-27-2003, 09:04 PM	#11
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	I guess I have'nt really taken a good look at the newer trucks. I will look closer. Maybe even take a measurement. Thanks



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