Wheel Spacers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kingparts · 12-10-2008, 11:03 AM

How many people have used wheel spacers? I bought some new 6-lug 17" rims for my suburban but I have the heavy duty brakes and the to use these rims I need a spacer or cut on the rim. Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions?

Leo70 · 12-10-2008, 11:20 AM

I used 3/4 inch spacers on all 4 wheels. I tried the 1 inch but my truck has airbags and when I lower it it rubbed on the inside back tires. The only thing with 3/4 inch thick spacers you have to use smaller lugs and shave if they stick out too far or it would hit the rim.

Ill see if I can take some pictures later.

Leo70

orange72c10 · 12-10-2008, 11:46 AM

I have them on my truck. I think the ride is about the same.

dmc1 · 12-10-2008, 12:21 PM

Wheel spacers can be tricky. You need to be careful when using them. You must take into consideration the amount of spacing needed, wheel stud length and the underlying reason for needing them in the first place. I have seen wheel studs snap because of wheel spacers. Since SAFETY is paramount, please take the conservative route. If the wheels are not clearing the outside diameter of your hubs (where the spindle nut goes) and the rear axle flanges are too large, maybe have the inside diameter of the hub hole on the wheels cleaned up the least amount possible at a machine shop or find another set of wheels. This is just my 2 cents. DMC1

tcb-1 · 12-10-2008, 02:01 PM

got 3/4" spacers on the rear of my truck. no problem at all, however I steer away from the cast spacers. go with the solid billet.

big_al_71 · 12-10-2008, 02:05 PM

I have had them in my sons 96 chevy 1500 for about four years with his 20 inch wheels and have never had any issues...

ChevLoRay · 12-10-2008, 02:06 PM

My opinion is that the load is on the studs, not the spacer UNLESS the spacer is one that bolts to the spindle/axle and has additional studs for wheel mounting. In that case, the bolts still carry the load and the spacer/adapter has a burden on it, too. I have a couple of adapters, from my youth, that fit a 5 on 5 onto a 5 on 4 3/4...or maybe it's the other way around. Seems like it was the latter. Never used them.

Longhorn Man · 12-10-2008, 06:49 PM

the lugs are not designed to carry the load. That's the issue. The hub is supposed to do that.

Husker · 12-10-2008, 07:15 PM

I have 1.5" on the rear of my 4x4I think it drives a bit better and looks better. The rear is not as wide as the front on stock 4x4's. I also run them on My Cj rear with No problem yet
Ron

**Dieselwrencher** · 12-10-2008, 09:30 PM

I have 2 1/2" spacers on the rear of my 92 ford dually inbetween the duals. I have truck pulled with them in there, pulled many heavy loaded trailers, and beat on it a lot. It had 550hp last year with 1100ft lbs of torque. I have never had a problem with the spacers and I know my brothers have wacked some curbs with the rear duals as well. As long as you torque them properly and do not stretch your studs you should be fine. And another thing, if you use replacement studs make sure they aren't the elcheapo grade 5 turds. They are prone to break easily.

tcb-1 · 12-10-2008, 09:33 PM

amen dieselwrencher! torque them correctly, don't buy the cast el cheapos, and you'll be fine. period.

69Rob · 12-10-2008, 09:49 PM

so 6 lug to 5 lug spacers will work good then? i just got to make sure that the rim i get to compensate for the backspacing?

**Dieselwrencher** · 12-11-2008, 02:46 AM

IDK about that. Mine are spacers not adapters. And IDK how well the 5 to 6 lug adapters really work as far as how they place the wheel out like you mentioned.

matthufham · 12-11-2008, 10:11 AM

i got 1 or 1.25 spacers on the rear. had to bring the wheels out some to look right, and haven't had a single problem. 65 dollars total on ebay

12-10-2008, 11:03 AM	#1
kingparts Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Clover, SC , US Posts: 971	Wheel Spacers How many people have used wheel spacers? I bought some new 6-lug 17" rims for my suburban but I have the heavy duty brakes and the to use these rims I need a spacer or cut on the rim. Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions? __________________ 1970 Chevrolet Suburban 1967 Chevrolet C/10 Shortbed Stepside

12-10-2008, 11:20 AM	#2
Leo70 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Riverside California Posts: 160	Re: Wheel Spacers I used 3/4 inch spacers on all 4 wheels. I tried the 1 inch but my truck has airbags and when I lower it it rubbed on the inside back tires. The only thing with 3/4 inch thick spacers you have to use smaller lugs and shave if they stick out too far or it would hit the rim. Ill see if I can take some pictures later. Leo70

12-10-2008, 11:46 AM	#3
orange72c10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York Posts: 153	Re: Wheel Spacers I have them on my truck. I think the ride is about the same. __________________ 1964 volkswagon, dune buggy 1972 cehvy c 10 with 48000 miles original, bought brand new by my grandfather 1978 chevy elcamino

12-10-2008, 12:21 PM	#4
dmc1 "I'm Walking Deadman's Drive!" Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 34	Re: Wheel Spacers Wheel spacers can be tricky. You need to be careful when using them. You must take into consideration the amount of spacing needed, wheel stud length and the underlying reason for needing them in the first place. I have seen wheel studs snap because of wheel spacers. Since SAFETY is paramount, please take the conservative route. If the wheels are not clearing the outside diameter of your hubs (where the spindle nut goes) and the rear axle flanges are too large, maybe have the inside diameter of the hub hole on the wheels cleaned up the least amount possible at a machine shop or find another set of wheels. This is just my 2 cents. DMC1

12-10-2008, 02:01 PM	#5
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Wheel Spacers got 3/4" spacers on the rear of my truck. no problem at all, however I steer away from the cast spacers. go with the solid billet. __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

12-10-2008, 02:05 PM	#6
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Wheel Spacers I have had them in my sons 96 chevy 1500 for about four years with his 20 inch wheels and have never had any issues... __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

12-10-2008, 02:06 PM	#7
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Wheel Spacers My opinion is that the load is on the studs, not the spacer UNLESS the spacer is one that bolts to the spindle/axle and has additional studs for wheel mounting. In that case, the bolts still carry the load and the spacer/adapter has a burden on it, too. I have a couple of adapters, from my youth, that fit a 5 on 5 onto a 5 on 4 3/4...or maybe it's the other way around. Seems like it was the latter. Never used them. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-10-2008, 06:49 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Wheel Spacers the lugs are not designed to carry the load. That's the issue. The hub is supposed to do that.

12-10-2008, 07:15 PM	#9
Husker Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mid NE USA Posts: 2,212	Re: Wheel Spacers I have 1.5" on the rear of my 4x4I think it drives a bit better and looks better. The rear is not as wide as the front on stock 4x4's. I also run them on My Cj rear with No problem yet Ron __________________ Member #111 68 C-10 Daily Driver 70 4x4 Project 76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson

12-10-2008, 09:30 PM	#10
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,140	Re: Wheel Spacers I have 2 1/2" spacers on the rear of my 92 ford dually inbetween the duals. I have truck pulled with them in there, pulled many heavy loaded trailers, and beat on it a lot. It had 550hp last year with 1100ft lbs of torque. I have never had a problem with the spacers and I know my brothers have wacked some curbs with the rear duals as well. As long as you torque them properly and do not stretch your studs you should be fine. And another thing, if you use replacement studs make sure they aren't the elcheapo grade 5 turds. They are prone to break easily. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

12-10-2008, 09:33 PM	#11
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Wheel Spacers amen dieselwrencher! torque them correctly, don't buy the cast el cheapos, and you'll be fine. period. __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

12-10-2008, 09:49 PM	#12
69Rob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 182	Re: Wheel Spacers so 6 lug to 5 lug spacers will work good then? i just got to make sure that the rim i get to compensate for the backspacing? __________________ 2009 dodge hemi custom paint 86 lwb bagged layin frame 73 2 door nova 54 bel air

12-11-2008, 02:46 AM	#13
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,140	Re: Wheel Spacers IDK about that. Mine are spacers not adapters. And IDK how well the 5 to 6 lug adapters really work as far as how they place the wheel out like you mentioned. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

12-11-2008, 10:11 AM	#14
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Wheel Spacers i got 1 or 1.25 spacers on the rear. had to bring the wheels out some to look right, and haven't had a single problem. 65 dollars total on ebay



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