I've been wheeling my 1980 CJ7 for 15 years with a 2.5 inch lift... that's now sagged to bout stock... Just put a new 4" lift, but would like a wider stance (center of gravity thing). Does anybody out there have experience with Wheel spacers... seems like an easy to get a little wider stance (1-2 inches)

Thoughts and flames welcome !

http://www.performancewheel.com/

I used 2" ones all the way around and thought they were killer. I got mine from OX Trax because they were made from steel.

everthink maybe a custom set of backspaced wheels would be better. less to take off whn ya snap and axle shaft and prolly cheaper

Originally posted by yjtj:
<STRONG>everthink maybe a custom set of backspaced wheels would be better. less to take off whn ya snap and axle shaft and prolly cheaper</STRONG>
My only concern with a less backspaced wheel would be eating through wheel bearings faster than you can drive! I don't know, maybe this is a problem with spacers as well, but from what I understand, if a wheel is stuck out TOO far, it causes major stress on the wheel bearing.. is this true?? Just curious.
Scott <IMG SRC="smilies/grinpimp.gif" border="0"><><

Originally posted by 1badjeep:
<STRONG>[QUOTE]My only concern with a less backspaced wheel would be eating through wheel bearings faster than you can drive! I don't know, maybe this is a problem with spacers as well, but from what I understand, if a wheel is stuck out TOO far, it causes major stress on the wheel bearing.. is this true?? Just curious.
Scott <IMG SRC="smilies/grinpimp.gif" border="0"><><</STRONG>

Yeah. Big ass tires + wheel spacers = burn through front wheel bearings like they're going outta style.

HTH,
Jake Harsha <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Someone had a set for a flat fender for sale about a month ago. Any know who it was and if they still have them??? Mike

Originally posted by 1badjeep:
<STRONG>Originally posted by yjtj:
everthink maybe a custom set of backspaced wheels would be better. less to take off whn ya snap and axle shaft and prolly cheaper</STRONG>
My only concern with a less backspaced wheel would be eating through wheel bearings faster than you can drive! I don't know, maybe this is a problem with spacers as well, but from what I understand, if a wheel is stuck out TOO far, it causes major stress on the wheel bearing.. is this true?? Just curious.
Scott <IMG SRC="smilies/grinpimp.gif" border="0"><><

A less backspaced wheel and a spacer are going to do the exact same thing. I have 3" spacers on each side making me 6" wider. I have had these on since march and have had no problems. I would do the spacer over the rim because if I feel I am too wide for a trail all I have to do is take them off. Or if I decide I need new rims I wont have to get them back spaced also.

Originally posted by Erik Dlux:
<STRONG>A less backspaced wheel and a spacer are going to do the exact same thing. I have 3" spacers on each side making me 6" wider. I have had these on since march and have had no problems. I would do the spacer over the rim because if I feel I am too wide for a trail all I have to do is take them off. Or if I decide I need new rims I wont have to get them back spaced also.</STRONG>

This is exactly the reason I just ordered a set of 2 inch spacesr from Performance Wheel. They were like 90 bucks a piece or so. I don't believe my 60's bearings will even notice the difference :-)

Originally posted by Madmarx:
<STRONG>This is exactly the reason I just ordered a set of 2 inch spacesr from Performance Wheel. They were like 90 bucks a piece or so. I don't believe my 60's bearings will even notice the difference :-)</STRONG>


Hey Mark!!! Are you running them on the front or the rear Dana60? I'm thinking of getting them if I do end up swapping in the Dana60 rear and Scout Dana44 front because there is like 5" of difference between the front and rear on the pair I have. Would you think that on a Scout 44 that the bearings would hold up? I'll be running the 35x15.50 SX's on the trail and 35x12.50 BFG's on the street. (not on the street much)

Sweet!!! This is one more place I can ask you questions!!!

Matt

Originally posted by ManglerYROC Z:
<STRONG>
Hey Mark!!! Are you running them on the front or the rear Dana60? I'm thinking of getting them if I do end up swapping in the Dana60 rear and Scout Dana44 front because there is like 5" of difference between the front and rear on the pair I have. Would you think that on a Scout 44 that the bearings would hold up? I'll be running the 35x15.50 SX's on the trail and 35x12.50 BFG's on the street. (not on the street much)

Sweet!!! This is one more place I can ask you questions!!!

Matt</STRONG>

Yep, Matt I am here also :-) I am just running the spacers on the rear. It ended up a little narrower than the front. I would think a 44 would be fine with spacers in the front running 35's. You will just have to check the wheel bearings more often. Maybe replace them every year instead of 2 years..Off to go wheeling on Aetna mountian. We are taking Jimmy's new rail truck to see how it will do. What do you think:

518" Cadillac motor Running propane(450hp-575lb-ft
Turbo 350/ Clocked 208
Dana 60 front/ 70hd rear
Cut 44 swampers front/ Cut 46" Turf Tires rear
About 250 tubing for rollcage.
120 inch wheelbase.

NO BODY - Just a rollcage and expanded metal around the seats. We figure it is about 2600 pounds. It has WAY more power that is needed in the woods :-)

Originally posted by Madmarx:
<STRONG>Yep, Matt I am here also :-) I am just running the spacers on the rear. It ended up a little narrower than the front. I would think a 44 would be fine with spacers in the front running 35's. You will just have to check the wheel bearings more often. Maybe replace them every year instead of 2 years..Off to go wheeling on Aetna mountian. We are taking Jimmy's new rail truck to see how it will do. What do you think:

518" Cadillac motor Running propane(450hp-575lb-ft
Turbo 350/ Clocked 208
Dana 60 front/ 70hd rear
Cut 44 swampers front/ Cut 46" Turf Tires rear
About 250 tubing for rollcage.
120 inch wheelbase.

NO BODY - Just a rollcage and expanded metal around the seats. We figure it is about 2600 pounds. It has WAY more power that is needed in the woods :-)</STRONG>

Got any pics of this beast?

And for my wheel spacer question...I was going to get some but when I asked a trusted mechanic friend about them he adamently advised against them. He said that the aluminun could crack if you hit something hard enough. Anyone had this happen, or know of any reasons not to go with spacers?

The new rail truck sounds AWESOME... As silly as this may sound, since I've been having so much trouble trying to sell the Scout 44/ Dana60 rear combo, I think I'm going to put them into Mangler and put the Scout 44's that are under it under something else.

There was a guy who was selling Military Blazers or pickups out of Texas that he was swiping the 60/70 combo out of and selling the rest cheap. I may pick one up, put the Scout 44's under it and use it as a tow rig. Granted, 3.07 gears are far from ideal for a tow rig, but it would get great gas milage (except through the mountains). I'll just make up for it with the tranny, I guess.

If you know of anyone trying to sell a Chevy 4wd tuck minus axles, let me know... (it's gotta be a full size for the passenger side drop.) Remember... key word is cheap... I don't care what the interior or exterior looks like. Even if it has a Corporate 10 bolt front, I can still use it.

Originally posted by Quenton Cassidy:
<STRONG>Got any pics of this beast?

And for my wheel spacer question...I was going to get some but when I asked a trusted mechanic friend about them he adamently advised against them. He said that the aluminun could crack if you hit something hard enough. Anyone had this happen, or know of any reasons not to go with spacers?</STRONG>

I don't have have pic's yet, but as soon as I can get some, I will get them posted.. About the aluminum cracking, yea it is possible, but the spacers I bought are aircraft grade aluminum and are supposed to be really tough. And I think you would have to hit REALLY hard to crack them through the tire and suspension movement..