Thoughts and recommendations

[Byronator]

What’s up everybody. I’m wanting to put some wheels spacers on my ranger. I’ve currently got it setting in 265/75 r15 Cooper AT3s. Been running this set up for a long time but I’m thinking it’d look good with a little bit wider stance. I’d love to see what some of you are running if you have wheel spacers, to get an idea. Thanks!

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm personally not a fan of wheel spacers. For myself,,, I would buy wheels with less backspacing if I wanted to increase track width.

That said... many people run them. Just don't buy cheap ones and check them often... use loctite.

 

[black_demon69]

what he said
IMO wheel spacers are a bad idea

 

[Byronator]

It’s a 2wd truck. It’s not much of a work truck either. This is for looks. I’m aware of all the cons that come with wheel spacers. If you don’t have any suggestions on what size wheel spacers look good, then pls don’t reply. I’m trying to talk to ford ranger enthusiasts not FORD certified mechanics.

 

[snoranger]

It’s a 2wd truck. It’s not much of a work truck either. This is for looks. I’m aware of all the cons that come with wheel spacers. If you don’t have any suggestions on what size wheel spacers look good, then pls don’t reply. I’m trying to talk to ford ranger enthusiasts not FORD certified mechanics.

I am a “FORD certified mechanic”... also an ASE master tech in both car/ light truck and medium/heavy duty truck.
Wheel adapters or spacers?
My opinion... wheel adapters are fine to use. Buy quality spacers, torque them properly, and use locktite on the inner lug nuts.
I put over well 100k miles on a set of Eibach adapters on 2 different Rangers. They never gave me any issues. They never loosened up, I had no vibrations or wheel wobble, and the only time I ever touched them was when I replaced the rotors or swapped them to the second truck.

Ford used “adapters” on the front of pretty much every 4x4 dually (not exactly the same, but similar concept). Quigley used adapters on the front of their 4x4 conversion vans. Its not uncommon for major manufacturers to use them.

If you mean wheel spacers (those plates with all different lug patterns that you hang on the studs behind the wheels and never really center.)... I won’t use them.

 

[Dirtman]

I am a “FORD certified mechanic”... also an ASE master tech in both car/ light truck and medium/heavy duty truck.
Wheel adapters or spacers?
My opinion... wheel adapters are fine to use. Buy quality spacers, torque them properly, and use locktite on the inner lug nuts.
I put over well 100k miles on a set of Eibach adapters on 2 different Rangers. They never gave me any issues. They never loosened up, I had no vibrations or wheel wobble, and the only time I ever touched them was when I replaced the rotors or swapped them to the second truck.

Ford used “adapters” on the front of pretty much every 4x4 dually (not exactly the same, but similar concept). Quigley used adapters on the front of their 4x4 conversion vans. Its not uncommon for major manufacturers to use them.

If you mean wheel spacers (those plates with all different lug patterns that you hang on the studs behind the wheels and never really center.)... I won’t use them.

Shhhhhh he specifically said he doesn't want your opinion! Get your knowledge and experience out of here!

 

[snoranger]

Shhhhhh he specifically said he doesn't want your opinion! Get your knowledge and experience out of here!

Please allow me to quote PetroliumJunkie...


Fight me!

 

[Byronator]

I am a “FORD certified mechanic”... also an ASE master tech in both car/ light truck and medium/heavy duty truck.
Wheel adapters or spacers?
My opinion... wheel adapters are fine to use. Buy quality spacers, torque them properly, and use locktite on the inner lug nuts.
I put over well 100k miles on a set of Eibach adapters on 2 different Rangers. They never gave me any issues. They never loosened up, I had no vibrations or wheel wobble, and the only time I ever touched them was when I replaced the rotors or swapped them to the second truck.

Ford used “adapters” on the front of pretty much every 4x4 dually (not exactly the same, but similar concept). Quigley used adapters on the front of their 4x4 conversion vans. Its not uncommon for major manufacturers to use them.

If you mean wheel spacers (those plates with all different lug patterns that you hang on the studs behind the wheels and never really center.)... I won’t use them.

Great input. Thank you! That was my plan. Get quality adapters and torque them to spec w loctite. I would some nice hub centric adapters! I wouldn’t personally trust just some cheap piece of aluminum with holes for the bolts lol.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm Ford certified and a Master ASE Technician too. @Byronator ... wheel adapters are risky business... there are many horror stories about using them. No need to get your underwear in a bunch... you asked the question... you were getting honest answers.

IMPORTANT - Most wheel adapters are just some cheap piece of aluminum with bolt holes. As I said... don't buy cheap ones.

Be safe out there...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

no spacers, the lightest weight wheels u can get.

 

[snoranger]

I'm Ford certified and a Master ASE Technician too. @Byronator ... wheel adapters are risky business... there are many horror stories about using them. No need to get your underwear in a bunch... you asked the question... you were getting honest answers.

IMPORTANT - Most wheel adapters are just some cheap piece of aluminum with bolt holes. As I said... don't buy cheap ones.

Be safe out there...

But he doesn’t want advice against using them... he just wants the happy, everything will be fine stories.

 

[sgtsandman]

If you are going to run spacers, get ones that are thick enough to completely cover the length of the stud torque them to the torque spec for your truck with blue grade thread locker. Treat them like a new set of wheels and check the torque a time or two after driving some to make sure they are completely seated.

That is what I did with my trailer after I upgraded to wider tires so that the tire and rim would clear the frame. They have geld up fine as has the wheel bearings.

All that being said, spacers in general are not a great idea and are more of a band aid fix. Rims with the proper backspacing would be better.

I plan on changing the axle on the trailer to one better suited for the backspacing I need in order to increase the load capacity and eliminate the spacers as well to eliminate the potential negative effects spacers can cause

 

[Byronator]

Y’all are terrible lmao.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

this thread is funny

 

[Dirtman]

Most wheels are round...