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

neonlarry · 12-12-2002, 12:24 AM

I could get a good deal on a set of these wheels, but... The hole in the back of the wheel is too small to fit over the end of the axle on the rear of the truck. I tried one on, and with about a 3/8 inch spacer and longer studs, they would fit fine. So, I guess I have 3 questions. 1. would it be safe to use a spacer like that? 2. Does anyone know where I could get one made that would work? 3. How much would it cost? ( I am converting to 6 lug disc on the front, and I am going to call tomorrow and get the measurments of the rotor to make sure the front ones would fit.)

bigjimzlll · 12-12-2002, 12:35 AM

if has the same bolt pattern, you should be able to use longer studs and a spacer plate

neonlarry · 12-12-2002, 12:43 AM

Yes, it's the same bolt pattern. I actually brought one home and tried it with a 1/4 inch spacer, but it wasn't quite enough.

neonlarry · 12-12-2002, 01:56 AM

Anyone else have any coments? Is using a 3/8 inch and longer studs ok? Where could I get one/get one made?

HvyChevy454 · 12-12-2002, 02:00 AM

i have a 1/4'' and a 5/16'' spacer on the frotn of mine, the stock studs work i just have the longer Cragar style lugnuts

neonlarry · 12-12-2002, 02:06 AM

Cool, so the spacers like that will work? Where did you get them? I tried the wheel on mine with a spacer that wasn't quite big enough, and I will definintly need longer studs.

cableguy0 · 12-12-2002, 02:16 AM

actually spacers will work but they are not all that safe. i have seen a lot of wheel studs breaking off because of spacers i would look into a different method of making them fit

Hotrod70C10 · 12-12-2002, 02:57 AM

Hey Neonlarry, Who makes those wheels?

Fred T · 12-12-2002, 03:00 AM

Cableguy's right. They are not safe, unless they have a feature to take the shear force into the hub. The lug bolts are designed to only take a tension load, which holds the wheels against the drum. That's why the lug studs break.
What you need are spacers that nest over the hub and step down to nest inside the hub of the wheel. Unless you have the ability to machine them yourself it will probably be cheaper to buy wheels that work.

**COBALT** · 12-12-2002, 03:22 AM

Don't forget wheel bearings. The farther the point of force is at right angles from the bearing the harder the bearing has to work. In other words the thicker the spacer the more wear you'll have.

HvyChevy454 · 12-12-2002, 02:03 PM

i know they are not safe but n order to get my rims to fit i had to grind off part of the caliper to make em work w/ the spacers. iposted about this in the reviews regardin the cragar ss classic rims. i cant see any other way to make em fit other than goin to a smaller rotor. and they are custom backspaced in hopes the woulda fit w. out the spacers.

ohh i go the spacers from summit

NSANE68!!! · 12-12-2002, 02:44 PM

OK guys he's talking about the back axle. I had the same prob heres what I did.

Pop the cap off the wheel set it up on the lugs and look through the center. It only misses fitting by maybe a 1/16".
I called the wheel place they said it is made for 73 up axles.
So I busted out the angle diegrinder and trimmed her up. Went on perfect.

The wheel spacers are FINE!!! If they are machined correctly as mentioned before. Don't use those CHEEZY spacers from autozone. I run a set of spacers on my 95 Tahoe to go from a 5 to a 4. 5 bolt pattern, they are 1.5" thick and been on there over a year now.

SCOTI · 12-12-2002, 04:12 PM

Cheap (cast alum) spacers should be kept to minimum thickness as possible & shouldn't be stacked. An adapter is different (my guess is this is what NSANE is using) as they physically bolt to the hub w/the stock studs & then you bolt the wheels to the studs machined as part of the adapter. You can get these off the internet from 7/8" up to 4" for approx 100$+, made from billet & you can even change the bolt pattern within limitations. Do an internet search for wheel adapters. I'm using some on my 74 w/5 on 5" bolt pattern to mount my 5 on 4.75 - 20x10's Torq-thrusts.

12-12-2002, 12:24 AM	#1
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Wheel Spacers I could get a good deal on a set of these wheels, but... The hole in the back of the wheel is too small to fit over the end of the axle on the rear of the truck. I tried one on, and with about a 3/8 inch spacer and longer studs, they would fit fine. So, I guess I have 3 questions. 1. would it be safe to use a spacer like that? 2. Does anyone know where I could get one made that would work? 3. How much would it cost? ( I am converting to 6 lug disc on the front, and I am going to call tomorrow and get the measurments of the rotor to make sure the front ones would fit.) __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI Last edited by neonlarry; 12-12-2002 at 01:57 AM.

12-12-2002, 12:35 AM	#2
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	if has the same bolt pattern, you should be able to use longer studs and a spacer plate __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

12-12-2002, 12:43 AM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Yes, it's the same bolt pattern. I actually brought one home and tried it with a 1/4 inch spacer, but it wasn't quite enough. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

12-12-2002, 01:56 AM	#4
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Anyone else have any coments? Is using a 3/8 inch and longer studs ok? Where could I get one/get one made? __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

12-12-2002, 02:00 AM	#5
HvyChevy454 Slowly getting CRSS... Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 656	i have a 1/4'' and a 5/16'' spacer on the frotn of mine, the stock studs work i just have the longer Cragar style lugnuts Attached Images __________________ -Nic Lutz, Fl My Team Website The Heavy Chevy Website ------------------ 72 Cheyenne 10 LWB GM 12-bolt 3.08 w/ Auburn Posi 91 454 Edel Performer RPM Intake 750 cfm carb Comp Cam 268/.495 Hedman Headers Dual 3'' Exhaust 71 Cheyenne 20 4x4 Fact. A/C PS PB Tilt Currently in the works... Speak Softly and Carry A Big Block... There is No replacement for Displacement... "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." - Mario Andretti

12-12-2002, 02:06 AM	#6
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Cool, so the spacers like that will work? Where did you get them? I tried the wheel on mine with a spacer that wasn't quite big enough, and I will definintly need longer studs. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

12-12-2002, 02:16 AM	#7
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	actually spacers will work but they are not all that safe. i have seen a lot of wheel studs breaking off because of spacers i would look into a different method of making them fit __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-12-2002, 02:57 AM	#8
Hotrod70C10 Low & Slow Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,047	Hey Neonlarry, Who makes those wheels?

12-12-2002, 03:00 AM	#9
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Cableguy's right. They are not safe, unless they have a feature to take the shear force into the hub. The lug bolts are designed to only take a tension load, which holds the wheels against the drum. That's why the lug studs break. What you need are spacers that nest over the hub and step down to nest inside the hub of the wheel. Unless you have the ability to machine them yourself it will probably be cheaper to buy wheels that work. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

12-12-2002, 03:22 AM	#10
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Don't forget wheel bearings. The farther the point of force is at right angles from the bearing the harder the bearing has to work. In other words the thicker the spacer the more wear you'll have. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

12-12-2002, 02:03 PM	#11
HvyChevy454 Slowly getting CRSS... Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 656	i know they are not safe but n order to get my rims to fit i had to grind off part of the caliper to make em work w/ the spacers. iposted about this in the reviews regardin the cragar ss classic rims. i cant see any other way to make em fit other than goin to a smaller rotor. and they are custom backspaced in hopes the woulda fit w. out the spacers. ohh i go the spacers from summit __________________ -Nic Lutz, Fl My Team Website The Heavy Chevy Website ------------------ 72 Cheyenne 10 LWB GM 12-bolt 3.08 w/ Auburn Posi 91 454 Edel Performer RPM Intake 750 cfm carb Comp Cam 268/.495 Hedman Headers Dual 3'' Exhaust 71 Cheyenne 20 4x4 Fact. A/C PS PB Tilt Currently in the works... Speak Softly and Carry A Big Block... There is No replacement for Displacement... "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." - Mario Andretti

12-12-2002, 02:44 PM	#12
NSANE68!!! SLICER AND DICIER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Quuen Creek Posts: 1,383	OK guys he's talking about the back axle. I had the same prob heres what I did. Pop the cap off the wheel set it up on the lugs and look through the center. It only misses fitting by maybe a 1/16". I called the wheel place they said it is made for 73 up axles. So I busted out the angle diegrinder and trimmed her up. Went on perfect. The wheel spacers are FINE!!! If they are machined correctly as mentioned before. Don't use those CHEEZY spacers from autozone. I run a set of spacers on my 95 Tahoe to go from a 5 to a 4. 5 bolt pattern, they are 1.5" thick and been on there over a year now. __________________ 01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck)

12-12-2002, 04:12 PM	#13
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,064	Spacers & adapters Cheap (cast alum) spacers should be kept to minimum thickness as possible & shouldn't be stacked. An adapter is different (my guess is this is what NSANE is using) as they physically bolt to the hub w/the stock studs & then you bolt the wheels to the studs machined as part of the adapter. You can get these off the internet from 7/8" up to 4" for approx 100$+, made from billet & you can even change the bolt pattern within limitations. Do an internet search for wheel adapters. I'm using some on my 74 w/5 on 5" bolt pattern to mount my 5 on 4.75 - 20x10's Torq-thrusts. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*



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