Wheel Spacers?

[Rob2000XLT]

Has anyone used wheel spacers on the Explorer with either a stock suspension or otherwise? Are there any cons of these? I just wondered because I was interested in widening the stance of mine. Also is the 1" the best size, thanks for the input.
If you have any pics they would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

 

[Fantasymon]

1" wheel spacer = VERY BAD IDEA. The only people use spacers on explorers are people who have rims that hit their sway bars. (Like Cobra-R's.). I have Cobra-R's and they are hitting the swaybar. I need 3/16" spacer to correct this but I am not going to do it because of the dangers of spacers. Especially 1"!. If you want a wider stance, get wider tires.

If you want them anyway TBAUM had a set of 1" spacers that he took off. I am pretty sure that he still has them. He sold his NEW rims to me because he was having to use a 1" spacer and didnt feel safe.

So I think using a 1" spacer just for looks is not a very smart idea at all.

But If you still want them I guess its your X!

Grant-P

 

[Rob2000XLT]

Is a 1" spacers an extremely big one? I was just looking in performance products, and I thought it was the smallest one. What in particular are so dangerous or bad about them thanks.

 

[Fantasymon]

Yes a 1" spacer is very big. I dont know everything about them but I do know a 1" spacer puts extreme stress on bearings. They all do but the bigger the worse. You're probley not goin to find anyone on here that will recommend spacers just for looks. I think some people put them on there cars but that is a little different I think.

My dad took my Explorer to a mechanic today and asked him about putting a 3/16" spacer on to keep my cobra-r's from hitting the sway bar. The mechanic simply said "stay away from those things."

Tbaum's 1" spacers cost him like $300! For like 2 more hundred you could just buy a set of wide tires and be MUCH safer.

Grant

 

[Rob2000XLT]

thanks for the input!

 

[tbomb]

well, i figure i should comment here since i had to find out the hard way why not to use spacers (by the way im tbaum, just a different spelling between here and my aol instant messesnger screen name)....anyway, dont get them.

like grant said i had them for a set of cobra r's. ive heard rumors that the inner lugs keep coming loose. its also a fact that they cause extra stress on your wheel bearings (so do bigger tires, but if you wanna go offroad, big tires are a necessity, spacers for looks are not.)

after i had them on for 2 days i was getting nervous with them, so i went to my local wheel shop and the guy there said that in PA wheel spacers are outlawed, heh. so after 500 miles (5 days) i took em off and sent them back, then i sold my rims to grant, and i still have my tires in my garage - the plan is to get new rims with a different offset over winter break.

some people will tell you that they never had problems with them, but ill tell ya one thing - all the stress and annoyance and aggrivation (not to mention all the money i lost on the whole project) i wouldnt wish on anyone - dont get em, heh.

if you have any more questions, feel free to email me if you want.

jason.

by the way, the ones i had were the 1" H&R ones from performance products.