making rear tires stick out further than front tires

[dersch6221992]

Hey guys

on my 2000 mounty i have 32" tires. i have a set of 1.5" wheel spacers that i have laying around. i want to purchase a set so i can put them on finally. my question is if i put 1.5" upfront could i run a 2" in the back? or would this look dumb/ cause weird driving patterns for the truck?

does anyone have any pictures of there rear tires being a little bit further out than the front? Im basically wanting my wheels to stick out farther for a wider stance look.

thoughts? comments? anything?

 

[Dweeberman]

I may be dead wrong, but I believe the rear end is a tiny bit shorter than the front as is, so you might actually be lining them up perfectly.

 

[dersch6221992]

thanks yea im not sure. i just want all the tires to be out farther... i already have a set of 1.5" so im thinking that 2" in the rear would be great

 

[Dweeberman]

I just did a quick search on Google, appears that the Front axles are usually wider than the rear (did not really see the reason but I am sure there is a good one). Of course this was in regards to solid axle(d) vehicles, not sure if the same for IFS. This was also the same thing for my 89 K5. My Ex now has the front end wider than the rear (no spacers) but it works out perfect as it allows my 33's to stuff perfectly inside the wheel well when attempting flex. So I think it goes all the way around for SUV/Truck applications.

 

[OffTrac]

Steering is better with the front wider. Read that somewhere on this forum. Don't remember if there was an explanation.

 

[Anime]

or would this look dumb/ cause weird driving patterns for the truck?

Yes, it would look dumb and cause weird problems.


The "dog track" on both sides is deliberate, as it aids somewhat in giving the steering knuckles room to turn in, and gives a slightly better turning radius than a vehicle with the same wheelbase but equal width axles, or with a wider rear axle.

The main reason for wider front axles on trucks/SUVs is stability. This is why you see prerunners and racing trucks with even wider front axles than usual. it of course also has the side benefit of making for more wheel travel for a given design with a longer vs. shorter suspension arm.


You can of course put on wider rear tires or use wheels with more/less offset to give the vehicle a different stance, but when used off-road, you're better off keeping it close to the stock track width so the tire stuffs up into the fender rather than smashing into the bodywork.

 

[dersch6221992]

Yes, it would look dumb and cause weird problems.


The "dog track" on both sides is deliberate, as it aids somewhat in giving the steering knuckles room to turn in, and gives a slightly better turning radius than a vehicle with the same wheelbase but equal width axles, or with a wider rear axle.

The main reason for wider front axles on trucks/SUVs is stability. This is why you see prerunners and racing trucks with even wider front axles than usual. it of course also has the side benefit of making for more wheel travel for a given design with a longer vs. shorter suspension arm.


You can of course put on wider rear tires or use wheels with more/less offset to give the vehicle a different stance, but when used off-road, you're better off keeping it close to the stock track width so the tire stuffs up into the fender rather than smashing into the bodywork.

sounds good. so if i kept the same distance i should be okay thought? if i spaced the front/ rear 1.5"?

 

[swshawaii]

I just did a quick search on Google, appears that the Front axles are usually wider than the rear (did not really see the reason but I am sure there is a good one). Of course this was in regards to solid axle(d) vehicles, not sure if the same for IFS. This was also the same thing for my 89 K5. My Ex now has the front end wider than the rear (no spacers) but it works out perfect as it allows my 33's to stuff perfectly inside the wheel well when attempting flex. So I think it goes all the way around for SUV/Truck applications.

Owners manual shows the front/rear track width the same at 58.5"
http://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owner-manuals/

Cars.com has complete specs listed (Front/Rear Tread)
http://www.cars.com/ford/explorer-sport/2003/specifications/?acode=USB30FOS112B0

 

[dersch6221992]

hmm very interesting. i still cant believe no one has ever tried this or atleast bought it and set it up before

 

[Dweeberman]

you weren't kidding swshawaii, they are the same widths. Odd but i guess it could be. Might be the body paneling that is throwing me off because my front tires stick out and the rears do not...or I REALLY need to get new glasses! LOL

OP, if you put the bigger rear spacers on then technically they would stick out, but think of it more like a drag racing vehicle at that point just don't go tearing it up in corners because i feel you would have a higher chance of the inside rear tire coming off the ground

 

[Anime]

sounds good. so if i kept the same distance i should be okay thought? if i spaced the front/ rear 1.5"?

You could, but there's really no point. I advise against spacers in general as it now makes the wheel use 10 lugs instead of 5, doubling the chances of a loose lug or lug nut. Spacers also have the effect of loading the wheel bearing above and beyond the factory spec, and that's on top of the load from oversize wheel/tire combos.

I would avoid spacers unless absolutely necessary, either on a show vehicle or when used as a lug pattern adapter and spacer to fit wheels with a different lug pattern.

If you want a wider stance with the wheels it has on it, sure, go for it, but it's better to get wheels with a deeper offset.

When it comes to off-road, I would say it's better to get the tires in the right spot where they tuck into the fenders on the front and rear at full flex without rubbbing the fender or fenderwell, rather than worry about what the wheels/tires look like when it's just parked.

 

[dersch6221992]

You could, but there's really no point. I advise against spacers in general as it now makes the wheel use 10 lugs instead of 5, doubling the chances of a loose lug or lug nut. Spacers also have the effect of loading the wheel bearing above and beyond the factory spec, and that's on top of the load from oversize wheel/tire combos.

I would avoid spacers unless absolutely necessary, either on a show vehicle or when used as a lug pattern adapter and spacer to fit wheels with a different lug pattern.

If you want a wider stance with the wheels it has on it, sure, go for it, but it's better to get wheels with a deeper offset.

When it comes to off-road, I would say it's better to get the tires in the right spot where they tuck into the fenders on the front and rear at full flex without rubbbing the fender or fenderwell, rather than worry about what the wheels/tires look like when it's just parked.

i understand that rims would be better however we dont all have $500+ sitting around to shell out of new rims... or i would go buy those.

however $50 for a pair of spacers to get it more aggressive stance is good with me. I do offroad my vehicle it by no means is heavy offroading as i am so busy with school/ work. but when i can i go out and have some fun.

 

[Anime]

Whatever floats your boat, spacers just seem like a waste of $50 to me for something that is purely cosmetic at best, and a dangerous safety risk at worst. If it looks like the rear tire can stick out another 1.5" and still tuck up in the rear fender without crunching anything, then go for it.

 

[dersch6221992]

Whatever floats your boat, spacers just seem like a waste of $50 to me for something that is purely cosmetic at best, and a dangerous safety risk at worst. If it looks like the rear tire can stick out another 1.5" and still tuck up in the rear fender without crunching anything, then go for it.

i think what i am going to do tonight when i get home is jack the rear up and get the spacers put on the rear (i have a set of 1.5" from a while ago i never installed). i will put it on then jack it up and make it flex and see if it hits or not.

 

[boominXplorer]

I am running 1.25 hub centric spacers in the rear and makes my wheel fitment almost perfect. My mountaineer is lowered so the track width in the front is almost 2" wider per side front to rear because of the control arms being almost parallel to the ground. Just as long as you use hub centric spacers I don't think you will have any issues with them. I did have to trim the 1/4" tips off the wheel studs for them mount correctly.

 

[dersch6221992]

I am running 1.25 hub centric spacers in the rear and makes my wheel fitment almost perfect. My mountaineer is lowered so the track width in the front is almost 2" wider per side front to rear because of the control arms being almost parallel to the ground. Just as long as you use hub centric spacers I don't think you will have any issues with them. I did have to trim the 1/4" tips off the wheel studs for them mount correctly.

thanks for the tips!