After narrowing the rear end , and putting my wheels back on I don't have enough off set and the tires rub the inner fenders... So I suppose I need about an 1" of spacer , or a bit longer axles... spacers are cheaper but are they safe?
I would stay away from spacers myself. What wheels you running could you have the offest changed on yours?
Billet adapters, good. A stack of Pep Boys cast spacers, bad. Plus an inch is a good amount, may be easier to just find different wheels.
It depends on the spacer. For example, I'd NEVER use this kind for more than about 1/4" of thickness. Just way too much stress on the studs. The spacer below is 1". http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WHEE...temQQitemZ150483776638QQptZRaceQ5fCarQ5fParts Now, on the other hand, this kind of spacer I've used before. They work well, and are strong enough to handle the loads. Its still not the best way to go about this (a different offset rim would be much better), but it probably won't kill you... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Whee...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories They're available in all kinds of bolt patterns, and even as adapters from one size to another. You bolt them to the wheel studs, and then bolt the wheels to the spacer. If you do go this latter route, be sure to check your lug nuts frequently, especially at first. Since the spacers are aluminum the lugs seem to loosen up for the first few hundred miles. And I'm in no way endorsing either seller on eBay, they were just the best examples (with pictures!) that I found.
I've ran spacers as have thousands of others with no problems. I wouldn't worry for one minute about running a good spacer. (of 1 inch and as noted above, the proper kind)
I've heard both sides, pro & con, from reliable testimonial. Some guys even have lug nuts coming loose without spacers. Only way to be sure is try them. Unsafe? Hardly, unless one has his head up his ass and don't check wheel lugs; even when wierd noises should prompt it.
If you're talking 1/2" on each side you should be OK until you can save enough for wheels with the correct backspacing. If you are talking about 1" on each side I'd say forget the spacers and pop for new wheels.
I mounted Pony-car Bullets on my '67 Camaro by having Mosers install 1/2" Grade-8 allen-head studs and althread bolts so please think about the stud diameter upgrade here if you end up running a 1" spacer unless it is a reputably made bolt-on billet. I have two of them in my bedroom closet like the picture with hardware now that I bought cheap later into a swap meet a while back... Heck, the roundy-round cars go as big as 5/8" studs. pdq67
For the cost savings, I would go with good quality spacers. But I would keep checking lug nut torque!
If you've gotta ask.... Yeah, I know plenty of people have used them with no problem. IMO the cost of 2 wheels is worth the piece of mind.
I used the billet ones on my 80 Regal, to put IROC wheels on it (yeah, in the late 80's guys! Not now...) I drove the car daily, and even towed 2 Harleys to Daytona with this set-up (about 1000 miles one way). Never a problem. Just be wary of the cheap cast ones!
I have used these spacers on a number of projects from diesel 8 lug to 5 lug conversion to simple spacers on a road race car, hell I have them on a 2010 Mustang GT500 making 909hP to the wheels and we have yet to see a problem or issue at all. The company is owned by legendary drag racer Fred Goeske. They cost a bit but are well worth the cash if you need something like them. http://www.wheeladapter.com/
I use the machined billet adapters on my pick em up, no problem so far. I think mine are 2-inchers. I attached them to my axle studs with blue Loctite.
Spacers that rely on pure clamp force - require careful observation. If the wheels require a "register" - circular seat for concentricity - and the spacer interferes with it - beware. Cheap ones can be found that are virtually potmetal. Adapters - where your orginal studs are torqued to hold a machined, billet aluminum ring with 5 more studs are plenty strong. And the ones made for specific applications often have the pilot register metioned above, both internal and external. The billet rings are typically 6061 T-6 aluminum that has about the same yield strength as mild steel - but even at that, most are strong enough to rip the rims right off the wheels.
I've got some on my crewcab dually due to the larger tires I'm running. I got mine from former funny car driver Fred Groeske (http://www.wheeladapter.com/). His are billet and they incorporate a hub centric feature so that you get the proper load carrying from the wheel to the hub. I've had the spacers on the truck for over six years now, with the truck loaded to capacity (and then some... ) and had no problems nor any signs of abnormal wear. Note the hub pilot on these:
I don't know if this has been said yet, but if you use the wide spacers that have their own set of studs, USE LOCKTITE! Drive it for a few miles, get the brakes hot and come home and re-torque them. Ive seen guys use these for years with no problems on off-road rigs. But, I have seen guys that installed them WITH locktite, and did not retorque them. We were in the middle of nowhere one time, and I watched the front tire of a 4runner race the 4runner down the hill! He hadn't locktited or re torqued the inner lugs. They got loose, worked back and forth and broke all the inner, factory studs. It wasn't to big of a deal, but it would have been horrible if we would have been coming down a forest service road at speed. My dad has ran the dual stud type spacers on his jeep for years, but has had problems. After coming down a forest service road and using the brakes alot, they got hot and released the locktite and the lugs came loose. He caught it, but now he rechecks them quite often.
Porsche installed spacers on some of its fastest production cars, and sold them at the dealer that way. I have personally driven a long-tailed 930/935 hybrid, with something in the range of 1200-hp., at close to 230, with said spacers. Those in particular, in the rear, were over 3". Safe enough. Life causes death.
I've run 2-inch wheel adapters on my 1994 Impala SS for a few years without a problem. This is a big heavy car and has included road racing. moparmonkey's got it right. Plus, know if you need hub- or wheel-centric spacers/adaptors. Mike
I've run spacers for years on an OT Blazer without problems,. I even ran the Rubicon, Moab and other trails with them and no problems. As longs as they are quality pieces you shouldn't have any problems.
Spacers can be safe if done properly, but 1" thick ones along with all the extra hardware won't be very cheap.
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