Wheel Spacers

[vangremlin]

I decided to add 1" wheel spacers on the back of Pepe.  The 1" size on each size evens out the width in the back to equal the width in the front.  I bought these off Ebay, they are very nice machined aluminum.  PM me if you want the sellers name.  I just put them on over the weekend so not much experience driving them to tell how much of a difference they make on handling.  I think they definitely make it look better!

I've included some before and after pictures, not sure if the difference is noticable in the pictures.

BEFORE:




AFTER:

[autumnglen]

Just as a safety precaution, are your lugs still long enough? I've had a wheel come off because of a spacer.
Rita

[txjeeptx]

I run the same kind of spacers on several of my vehicles. I did have one loosen up on me after some time driving, but the vibration I noticed led me to eventually find it before any damage occurred, although it took a while for me to track down the problem. I now periodically check the spacer to factory vehicle lug torque periodically. Its kind of like when you buy a new set of aluminum wheels that have never been mounted before - you have to retorque the lugs after driving a while, until the lug seats are "broken in" and retain their torque. On my Eagle, I went with 1" spacers for the rear, while on my wide-track full size Jeep, I have 2" spacers both front and rear. The spacers really change the look of the vehicle, and, if checked properly, are as safe as buying wheels with deeper backspacing.

[txjeeptx]

No noticeable effect on turning radius. Actually, since the tires no longer rub on the frame/suspension on the FSJ, I can turn tighter than before - its like I swapped on some wider axles or deeeper wheels, but I was able to keep my stock wheels. It also made the front hubs not stick out so far, looking like something waiting to get smashed on a rock.

Also no noticeable effect on tracking/alignment while at cruising speed. There will be no changes to any handling aspect if the spacers are just added to the rear to even out the track, like the case of our Eagles, which need some spacers to look correct, to me.

Btw, forgot to congratulate you, vangremlin, on making your already awesome car look even cooler.

[Sunny]

Just double check the stud length, wheel torque, etc as people have said.
Also inspect them any time the wheels come off.

I've seen several cracked when I've pulled wheels off in the shop, or stretched studs.

[vangremlin]

Just as a safety precaution, are your lugs still long enough? I've had a wheel come off because of a spacer.
Rita

Thanks for raising this issue.  These spacers come with holes for the existing studs, and 5 new studs for the wheels. They also include five lugnuts to attach the spacers, and then you use your existing lug nuts to attach the wheels to the spacer lugs.  See picture below, since I'm sure I've made it as clear as mud!

[vangremlin]

I run the same kind of spacers on several of my vehicles. I did have one loosen up on me after some time driving, but the vibration I noticed led me to eventually find it before any damage occurred, although it took a while for me to track down the problem. I now periodically check the spacer to factory vehicle lug torque periodically. Its kind of like when you buy a new set of aluminum wheels that have never been mounted before - you have to retorque the lugs after driving a while, until the lug seats are "broken in" and retain their torque. On my Eagle, I went with 1" spacers for the rear, while on my wide-track full size Jeep, I have 2" spacers both front and rear. The spacers really change the look of the vehicle, and, if checked properly, are as safe as buying wheels with deeper backspacing.

These spacers came with very explicit instructions to drive 10 minutes, then check everything.  Then drive it 30 minutes and re-check.  Etc, etc.  So I'll be rechecking things this weekend. 

[vangremlin]

Btw, forgot to congratulate you, vangremlin, on making your already awesome car look even cooler.

Thanks!

[vangremlin]

I pulled the wheels off today and made sure the spacers were still nice and snug.  They were, and I took about a 150 mile road trip with no problems.  Here is a picture of the spacer in place.  Adding the spacers also allowed me to put the little center cap on the back wheels.  Before, the hub stuck out too far, you can see what I'm talking about in the pictures up above.

[captspillane]

Thats such a beautiful Kammback. I also have spacers and believe it makes a huge difference in the stance of our Eagles.

I believe the overall width of a Jeep Cherokee axle is almost exactly two inches wider. I'm expecting to eliminate the spacers and have that exact stance once I install my Cherokee Dana 44.