2" Wheel Spacers... Rear Only!

[JCUZ]

oh wow, I'm not sure about you guys, but I LOVE the agressive look of wide tire. (No not the flashy low profile tires that stick out 3 feet on either side) Just the 1"-3" extrusion gives trucks such a mean wide bulldog-looking stance.

I really like your mounty.

Heres my next question, I think I want those, anyone got a cheap place to find them? and also, any more pics??

Here you go:
eBay Hub Adapters

 

[gijoecam]

I'd say the only issue is premature bearing wear since there the wheels are further out with 2" spacers. Therefore, there is a greater "moment arm" applying torque on the bearing assembly, which means the ball bearings on the top of the race are being pushed inwards and the ball bearings on the bottom are getting yanked out.

EDIT -- I guess the same applies to the ball-joints, premature wear.

Agreed. Spacers put greater loads on the bearings, both static (parked) and dynamically (when driving, hitting bumps, cornering, etc.) It's analagous to using a longer wrench when you can't get a bolt to break loose. More leverage = more force.

Also, the scrub radius of the wheel is larger, which changes the steering geometry significantly. Simply turning the wheel in a parking lot is going to put more load on the rack and pinion, tie rod ends, etc. Think of it this way: Stand next to a friend at arm's length. Place your straight arm on his back and push him forward. Now, step over so you're touching him, and push him forward with a bent arm. Which one's easier to push? The one with the shorter radius.

Is this a 4x4 setup on ur ex?

Won't make a difference. The bearings on a second-gen are of similar design front and rear.

But if you get a proper alignment and caster/camber settings with spacers, then this issue surely goes away?

Nope. THe bigger wrench is still pushing/pulling on the components regardless of the alignment settings.

While all that makes sense....Whoa! Brain overload.

So a 1" spacer should be fine, as at worst, the contact patch moment arm thingamybob would be 1/2" out?!

Depends on what the original offset of the wheel was to start with. A 1" spacer will move the center of the contact patch out an inch farther from wherever it was. (vague enough answer for you? )