spacers on stock wheels....anybody done this???

[02XSport]

okay,

I have a question I hope you guys can give me some advice on. I just got a 2002 Explorer Sport, and as you guys know, the rear wheels seem to sit in further than the front. What I would like to do, instead of buying new wheels, is get some spacers to bring the back wheels out to be flush with the fenders. Is this safe and what size spacer would I need???

Thanks for the advice,

Derek

 

[Stomper]

There have been countless threads in the forum talking about spacers. Some say they are okay, some say they are overall a bad idea, and I say that if they can solve an aftermarket wheel offset problem they are great!

But, just to toss a set of spacers or adapters (like H&R spacers or Performance Wheel and Tire adapters) to make it look better.....well I think that is asking for extra stress and premature wear on your hubs, etc. And, if you put spacers only on the rear and not on the front then you are changing the track of the vehicle and it may affect the 4x4 or traction control.

But, if you really want a wider looking stance, I don't think you'll do much wrong as long as you don't go bigger than like 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch and consider doing all 4 wheels. Just my opinion based on what I've heard from alot of smart auto/mechanical fanatics.

 

[Black Magic]

02XSport You have read my mind. I wouldn't mind to have a 1/2 inch spacer in the rear. I am about to take my Binno's off and put on my stocker tires for winter. So I may get a set for the spring. I am 100% with you on the rear needing to be pushed out a little. I thought that my 9.5" wide rims would have done just that. But they haven't . Oh well, I'll just wait for the spring.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Guys, why is the track more narrow in the rear? Is it because of the engineering design of the independent rear suspension?

 

[Black Magic]

No, the width is the same as the front. Also the sports still have a solid rear axle. Just that the rear fenders are wider than the front.

Here are a couple of pics to illistrate what we are talking about. These are when I was test fitting my rims:

 

[Stomper]

Black Magic is right on about the fender flares. They are just bigger in the back making it appear that the track is narrower in the rear. The tires are actually all right in line.

Ahhh, what the hell, I guess as long as you don't go too thick with spacers on just the rear it won't affect much. I think that 1" is the max I'd go from stock though.