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Wheel spacers

trj360

Explorer Addict
Joined
October 2, 2007
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Year, Model & Trim Level
1999 XLT SOHC
I'm considering getting some wheel spacers to give my truck a little wider stance. It's on 33x12.5 tires with 15x8 wheels right now and I think it'd look great just a little wider. I have heard and understand it puts more stress on certain parts, that's my only concern. My question is what size should I go for, strictly for cosmetic purposes? Or is it a terrible idea to use these unless I absolutely need to? Here are a few current-ish pictures just for reference:
05-30-08_1547-1.jpg


06-02-08_1509.jpg


Eventually I want to go for this look:
ExplorerForumMG0113082.jpg

:p:
 



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Oh so you're going for the busted tail light look eh? Let me grab a hammer ;)

But in all honesty, you run the risk of getting pulled over if the tire is beyond the fender.
 






Oh so you're going for the busted tail light look eh? Let me grab a hammer ;)

But in all honesty, you run the risk of getting pulled over if the tire is beyond the fender.

I've got maybe an inch or two before the tread is at the edge of the fender, that's why I wanted to bump them out a little. By the way, this truck is my daily driver and sees mud pits about once or twice a month and trails once every 2-3 months. I don't wheel it all that much.
 






the hub/bearing assemblys for 4wd's arent cheap. and you will eat those up pretty fast going to wide. thats alot of extra force on those parts. get some 1.5" ones at the most if you are dead set
 






I've heard something about the hub-centric spacers or something, but there a lil on the pricey side. I have wheel spacers on my x, but the 5/16" lol just to fit the 15" wheels
 






the hub/bearing assemblys for 4wd's arent cheap. and you will eat those up pretty fast going to wide. thats alot of extra force on those parts. get some 1.5" ones at the most if you are dead set

That's the problem, I'm not dead set. I'm trying to decide looks vs. hassle.
 






if youre that worried, take the money for spacers, and go buy new steelies. i bought my cragar soft 8's for 39 bucks a wheel. thats with 4" backspacing.
 






I have 1.5" spacers on my rear and they been fine. Ive had them on for about 6 months now. I left the front alone due to stress on ball joints and such
 






lol. i'm surprised nobody has mentioned this. look at his fender flares!!! those things look like they come out a good 2 inches, ever thought of taking it off? if you do, you can just have the natural body line, the stance (at least the look you want) without any suspension/wheel change.

plus you might be able to get some cash for them, i'm sure someone would buy them.

hope this helps
 






Personally I'd keep it the way it is, Just remember that the wheels sticking out is enough probable cause to initiate a traffic stop. The last thing you wanna do is attract attention to yourself.
 






Personally I'd keep it the way it is, Just remember that the wheels sticking out is enough probable cause to initiate a traffic stop. The last thing you wanna do is attract attention to yourself.

i've never heard of anyone being pulled over for the wheels being to wide. ever. until this thread.
 






i've never heard of anyone being pulled over for the wheels being to wide. ever. until this thread.

ive never gotten pulled over just for that, but i have gotten a ticket for it. if the wheels sticks out beyond the fender you must have mud flaps....:rolleyes:
 






In MD & PA it occurs, if your wheels stick beyond your fenders or flares, you can be cited with a repair order.
 






It's like that here too, no one has wheels sticking beyond the fenders.
 






I've still got stock wheels and tires sitting in my garage so it's a 5 minute fix.

And about the flares, if I take them off, won't there be a ton of holes? I've never even tried removing them so I have no idea.
 






simple fix for the holes too. use steel tape, cover the holes, stick a tad bit of bondo on there, then line-x around where the flares were. it looks good, its durable, and best of all, your wheels will stick out more. ;)
 






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