Would I Need Longer Studs with .5" Wheel Spacers???

[Chuck "Classic Ford" JR.]

I have an '86 Ranger 2WD with no lift (though I plan on a 2" suspension lift some time in the near future). I want a little bit of a wider stance, and I think that half-inch spacers will do the trick, but I was wondering if I'd need longer wheel studs and, if so, which ones do I need and where can I get them?

 

[forzda]

you could get longer studs but this isnt the best way to do this , getting rims with the offset that will move the rims further out would be the best way to do this . You are going to get people saying dont use spacers , I ran them on my 96 with no problems ,but the ones I used were 1 1/2 inches . they bolted to the hubs and the wheels bolted to the spacers . if you really want spacers dont skimp on quality ,your life could depend on it . these are the style you want http://www.explorer4x4.com/wheel_spacers.htm they are hub centric , but not exactly cheap

 

[Chuck "Classic Ford" JR.]

I'm a bit confused as to how those work; do they actually bolt to the original studs or do I have to pop the old ones out and then bolt them up somehow? And which spacers do you believe are made to the best quality? I don't want to buy some cheap crap that will cause my wheels to fall off while I'm driving...

 

[forzda]

the spacers that are in the picture bolt to the factory wheel studs , then the wheel bolts to the studs on the spacer . Some spacers out there are just made from aluminium ,the better ones are billet aluminium which is stronger .

 

[Chuck "Classic Ford" JR.]

Sounds good, I just don't want to throw anything off too much. I know that when you start lifting stuff and moving the wheels around that some things are going to be different, I just don't want to mess anything up.

 

[forzda]

Sounds good, I just don't want to throw anything off too much. I know that when you start lifting stuff and moving the wheels around that some things are going to be different, I just don't want to mess anything up.[/QUOTE one thing to keep in mind is that there will be a bit more stress on the front wheel bearings . you may have to replace them more often but the bearings are reasonably prices . it is the cost of modding

 

[Chuck "Classic Ford" JR.]

Are there perhaps stronger wheel bearings out there that are made for this type of application?