1 inch wheel spacers safe? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

R.O.B. · 07-27-2023, 03:39 PM

Looking at wheel options, and wondering if it is safe to use 1 inch longer wheel studs and a 1 inch spacer. Not adapter, just spacer. Going to convert the 1/2 lugs on my C20 to 9/16 and I could use Dorman pt# 610-193 to accomplish this.

indymachinist · 07-27-2023, 04:36 PM

I don’t like wheel spacers at all. I would never personally do that.

LS short box · 07-27-2023, 04:39 PM

I wouldn't do the spacer with longer studs. I would replace the stock 1/2" studs with 9/16" studs and then use the bolt on spacer/adapter. Order the adapter with 9/16" studs.

**HO455** · 07-27-2023, 04:50 PM

No matter which way you go having the spacer Hub-centric on the rotor and the wheel will improve the safety of the installation.

Many adapters are not Hub-centric on both sides which leaves the wheel out of center and causes vibration. Vibration will lead to loosening of the wheel on the rotor. And that rarely ends well.

R.O.B. · 07-27-2023, 06:28 PM

Good points. I guess I'll keep looking for a better wheel combo.

My problem is finding something with the right offsets. With my half assed measurements, my front is 66" wide, while my rear is 65". This is all drums. So when I convert to disc, that's supposed to add another .75" to each wheel. This would give me 1.25" wider in the front wheel than the rear wheel on each side. See my issue.

**HO455** · 07-27-2023, 07:45 PM

Personally I wouldn't order any wheels until I had the disc brake conversion done. Much less chance of ending up with wheels that don't fit.
Just an opinion from the back seat.

**PbFut** · 07-27-2023, 10:18 PM

What are you doing with the truck?
I used spacers on a race car for 18 yrs. The 17x10 wheel had 275 Hoosier road race tires that stick so well that you could trip teeth off your tranny gears if you did not pay attention. 165mph in 15 degree bank turns were the norm. Never an issue. Hub centric an absolute must. Unless you are planning on running off road competition, I see no issue with good quality spacers.

**MySons68C20** · 07-27-2023, 10:30 PM

^^^^^^^Right answer....hub centric and running 1" spacers myself no issues with aggressive driving etc. I have checked for loosening of the spacer/adapters
and lug nuts and they are always tight like prom night.

R.O.B. · 07-27-2023, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

^^^^^^^Right answer....hub centric and running 1" spacers myself no issues with aggressive driving etc. I have checked for loosening of the spacer/adapters
and lug nuts and they are always tight like prom night.

Can you or someone else point me in the right direction for the hub centric spacers that fit a 67 C20? Preferred with the 9/16 lugs.

**MySons68C20** · 07-27-2023, 10:50 PM

It has been a few years but I believe I bought mine from Summit.

**Rust_never_sleeps** · 07-27-2023, 11:16 PM

I bought these Baer spacers: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/BAE-2000040
6x5x5, 9/16"

**67 twins** · 07-28-2023, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rust_never_sleeps

I bought these Baer spacers: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/BAE-2000040
6x5x5, 9/16"

He's looking for spacers for a C20. Those will not work for him.

Joyridin · 07-28-2023, 07:34 AM

I would use maybe 1/2" spacers, but nothing wider than 1/2". If you are going 1", just buy a spacer.

I have a 3/4" spacer on the rear. They are pretty hard to find. No problems at all.

LS short box · 07-28-2023, 04:35 PM

I had billet wheel spacers on the rear of my 68 C10. Never had an issue.
I just googled billet wheel spacers and I think I bought them from a company in MI.
I don't think 1/2" spacers are going to work because they aren't thick enough to cover the spacer lug nuts.

Casper42 · 07-29-2023, 11:42 PM

I have 1.5" hub centric's on the rear of my C10 and 1" on my Audi. No issues whatsover, in fact handling has noticeable improved in corners. I have literally never heard of any issues of safety involving moderate wheel spacers. I've investigated vehicle crashes for 30 years.

R.O.B. · 07-30-2023, 04:59 PM

I think ultimately my better choice will be switching to a 14 bolt rear from a squarebody. From what I've researched, the rears are 67 inches wms to wms, so that alone will give me my extra inch per side that I want. So no adapters at all. Plus parts will be easier than my HO52, including gear ratios. Mine is 4.57, and a good majority of the squarebody's came with 3.73, so even better cruising rpms. And I might get lucky and find a posi. Let me know if anyone sees an issue with this idea, otherwise thank you everyone for your input.

HalfBrit · 07-31-2023, 06:15 AM

If you decide to do with hub-centric spacers, check out this link. A quality, USA made product, custom to your application.
https://www.uswheeladapters.com/

**Rust_never_sleeps** · 07-31-2023, 02:38 PM

Because my hub is tapered, the thicker the spacer, the wider the gap between hub and wheel.
I was able to find hub-centric spacers, BUT until I install centering rings on the wheel, the wheel itself is now lug-centric, and I'll want to correct that.

**Rust_never_sleeps** · 07-31-2023, 02:41 PM

Because my hub is tapered: the thicker the spacer, the wider the gap between hub and wheel.
I was able to find hub-centric spacers, BUT the wheel itself is now lug-centric, and it has a lot more rotating mass than the spacer, so I'll want to address that with centering rings....at least until I can scrounge some 4 nub steelies.

R.O.B. · 08-01-2023, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

If you decide to do with hub-centric spacers, check out this link. A quality, USA made product, custom to your application.
https://www.uswheeladapters.com/

Thank you

07-27-2023, 03:39 PM	#1
R.O.B. Registered User Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 92	1 inch wheel spacers safe? Looking at wheel options, and wondering if it is safe to use 1 inch longer wheel studs and a 1 inch spacer. Not adapter, just spacer. Going to convert the 1/2 lugs on my C20 to 9/16 and I could use Dorman pt# 610-193 to accomplish this.

07-27-2023, 04:36 PM	#2
indymachinist Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Indanapolis, IN Posts: 603	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? I don’t like wheel spacers at all. I would never personally do that. __________________ -Curt My 1968 Chevy shortbed stepside build

07-27-2023, 04:39 PM	#3
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,131	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? I wouldn't do the spacer with longer studs. I would replace the stock 1/2" studs with 9/16" studs and then use the bolt on spacer/adapter. Order the adapter with 9/16" studs.

07-27-2023, 04:50 PM	#4
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,350	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? No matter which way you go having the spacer Hub-centric on the rotor and the wheel will improve the safety of the installation. Many adapters are not Hub-centric on both sides which leaves the wheel out of center and causes vibration. Vibration will lead to loosening of the wheel on the rotor. And that rarely ends well. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

07-27-2023, 06:28 PM	#5
R.O.B. Registered User Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 92	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? Good points. I guess I'll keep looking for a better wheel combo. My problem is finding something with the right offsets. With my half assed measurements, my front is 66" wide, while my rear is 65". This is all drums. So when I convert to disc, that's supposed to add another .75" to each wheel. This would give me 1.25" wider in the front wheel than the rear wheel on each side. See my issue.

07-27-2023, 07:45 PM	#6
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,350	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? Personally I wouldn't order any wheels until I had the disc brake conversion done. Much less chance of ending up with wheels that don't fit. Just an opinion from the back seat. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

07-27-2023, 10:18 PM	#7
PbFut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Ca Posts: 630	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? What are you doing with the truck? I used spacers on a race car for 18 yrs. The 17x10 wheel had 275 Hoosier road race tires that stick so well that you could trip teeth off your tranny gears if you did not pay attention. 165mph in 15 degree bank turns were the norm. Never an issue. Hub centric an absolute must. Unless you are planning on running off road competition, I see no issue with good quality spacers.

07-27-2023, 10:30 PM	#8
MySons68C20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wenatchee, Wa Posts: 929	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? ^^^^^^^Right answer....hub centric and running 1" spacers myself no issues with aggressive driving etc. I have checked for loosening of the spacer/adapters and lug nuts and they are always tight like prom night.

07-27-2023, 10:50 PM	#10
MySons68C20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wenatchee, Wa Posts: 929	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? It has been a few years but I believe I bought mine from Summit.

07-27-2023, 11:16 PM	#11
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 591	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? I bought these Baer spacers: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/BAE-2000040 6x5x5, 9/16"

07-28-2023, 07:34 AM	#13
Joyridin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 553	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? I would use maybe 1/2" spacers, but nothing wider than 1/2". If you are going 1", just buy a spacer. I have a 3/4" spacer on the rear. They are pretty hard to find. No problems at all.

07-28-2023, 04:35 PM	#14
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,131	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? I had billet wheel spacers on the rear of my 68 C10. Never had an issue. I just googled billet wheel spacers and I think I bought them from a company in MI. I don't think 1/2" spacers are going to work because they aren't thick enough to cover the spacer lug nuts.

07-29-2023, 11:42 PM	#15
Casper42 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 331	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? I have 1.5" hub centric's on the rear of my C10 and 1" on my Audi. No issues whatsover, in fact handling has noticeable improved in corners. I have literally never heard of any issues of safety involving moderate wheel spacers. I've investigated vehicle crashes for 30 years. __________________ '72 C10 Cheyenne SWB North Carolina truck for 50 years, 72k original miles, Medium/Hawaiian Blue, 3 owners - one for 40 years, garaged kept, original: sheetmetal, undercarriage, moldings, glass * * * New - engine rebuild at 65k in 2015, one repaint in 2010, new front bumper, houndstooth seat, carpet, 8 inch rally wheels on 275-60R-15, LED lighting. - Semper Paratus!

07-30-2023, 04:59 PM	#16
R.O.B. Registered User Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Buckeye, AZ Posts: 92	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? I think ultimately my better choice will be switching to a 14 bolt rear from a squarebody. From what I've researched, the rears are 67 inches wms to wms, so that alone will give me my extra inch per side that I want. So no adapters at all. Plus parts will be easier than my HO52, including gear ratios. Mine is 4.57, and a good majority of the squarebody's came with 3.73, so even better cruising rpms. And I might get lucky and find a posi. Let me know if anyone sees an issue with this idea, otherwise thank you everyone for your input.

07-31-2023, 06:15 AM	#17
HalfBrit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 97	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? If you decide to do with hub-centric spacers, check out this link. A quality, USA made product, custom to your application. https://www.uswheeladapters.com/



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

07-31-2023, 02:38 PM	#18
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 591	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? Because my hub is tapered, the thicker the spacer, the wider the gap between hub and wheel. I was able to find hub-centric spacers, BUT until I install centering rings on the wheel, the wheel itself is now lug-centric, and I'll want to correct that.

07-31-2023, 02:41 PM	#19
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 591	Re: 1 inch wheel spacers safe? Because my hub is tapered: the thicker the spacer, the wider the gap between hub and wheel. I was able to find hub-centric spacers, BUT the wheel itself is now lug-centric, and it has a lot more rotating mass than the spacer, so I'll want to address that with centering rings....at least until I can scrounge some 4 nub steelies.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.