wheel spacers question
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
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wheel spacers question
Sooooooo. i....finally..... got.... my... 22" Boss 335s AND TIRES!!!! (will post pics soon).. sorry guys just had to say it out loud lol!
Anyways... I was wondering how thick can i go on wheel spacers? I'm thinking of putting 1/4 or 1/2? And since i don't wanna spend anymore money (just spend 1600 in wheels and tires) I want to cut them out my self. I'll be using the CNC Waterjet machine that i use at work. would regular Mild steel be ok and safe? i mean all it is-is a plate with the whole pattern, right? and its gonna be a PRECISION cut anyhow.. I do have Stainless steel available as well.
Note:the spacers are for looks, not clearance. could have gone with wider tires (305) but i have 9" rims and i dont wanna decrease my MPGs.
Anyways... I was wondering how thick can i go on wheel spacers? I'm thinking of putting 1/4 or 1/2? And since i don't wanna spend anymore money (just spend 1600 in wheels and tires) I want to cut them out my self. I'll be using the CNC Waterjet machine that i use at work. would regular Mild steel be ok and safe? i mean all it is-is a plate with the whole pattern, right? and its gonna be a PRECISION cut anyhow.. I do have Stainless steel available as well.
Note:the spacers are for looks, not clearance. could have gone with wider tires (305) but i have 9" rims and i dont wanna decrease my MPGs.
Moderate User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,003
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From: Albany, NY
First of all....If your buying new wheels, why not get the correct backspacing to begin with so you don't have to worry or deal with spacers? Like a 5". This way your not so far out but have a wider stance and room for wider tires.
I believe 3/8" is the thickest you can go on stock studs. I think 1/2" is too much? You'll have to see how much stud you have left protruding through curently to get a feel for the thickness. Then your gonna have to jump up to 1.25 and likely even 1.5". Anything in between like 1" that has additional studs will force you to grind down your factory studs(not something I would do) or else they will hit the back of the wheel.
I wouldn't use mild steel spacers. I wouldn't use stainless either. Mild steel is heavy and so is stainless. This means that the slightest offset in CNC machining will multiply itself as vibration while in motion.
305's are fine for 9" wide rims and going to a wider tire doesn't decrese your MPG's. Tread type and diameter effect mpg's.
I believe 3/8" is the thickest you can go on stock studs. I think 1/2" is too much? You'll have to see how much stud you have left protruding through curently to get a feel for the thickness. Then your gonna have to jump up to 1.25 and likely even 1.5". Anything in between like 1" that has additional studs will force you to grind down your factory studs(not something I would do) or else they will hit the back of the wheel.
I wouldn't use mild steel spacers. I wouldn't use stainless either. Mild steel is heavy and so is stainless. This means that the slightest offset in CNC machining will multiply itself as vibration while in motion.
305's are fine for 9" wide rims and going to a wider tire doesn't decrese your MPG's. Tread type and diameter effect mpg's.
Veteran
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 456
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From: Sparta, MI
I had 1/2" on my truck when I had 305's. A buddy of mine is a high performance vehicle engineer at GM proving grounds (buys nothing but dodges though)...basically he works with Vettes. When I was looking into spacers, he said as long as you can get 7 full turns on the lug nut, you'll be fine
Professional
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: New Bedford MA
i got 1.5" billet aluminum spacers the hub centric ones on my truck and i DO off road it not hard though and have never had an issue with them at all. if ur going with a spacer go quality and you wont have an issue