Rear Wheel Spacers

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Apr 6, 2016 | 05:17 AM

FM73project

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From: Lake Placid Florida

Rear Wheel Spacers

I'm installing 295/50r15s on the rear of a 1973 frame off restoration. I'm needing to space the rear wheels a 1/2" each. Can anyone offer any advice?

Apr 6, 2016 | 07:29 AM

JimLentz

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From: Downers Grove Illinois

One option is to install longer wheel studs and 1/2" hub centric spacers.

Apr 6, 2016 | 09:03 AM

929nitro

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From: West Kingston RI

I used 1" spacers on my 75. They get bolted on using the original wheel studs and then they have a new set of studs in them for the wheel mount.

Apr 6, 2016 | 10:05 AM

chazde3

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From: Lansing MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by 929nitro

I used 1" spacers on my 75. They get bolted on using the original wheel studs and then they have a new set of studs in them for the wheel mount.

This is what my dad was running on my 68 before I inherited it. I will be running the same.

Apr 6, 2016 | 11:02 AM

diehrd

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From: New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM73project

I'm installing 295/50r15s on the rear of a 1973 frame off restoration. I'm needing to space the rear wheels a 1/2" each. Can anyone offer any advice?

Get the emergency brake bracket welded to the top of the trailing arm and you do not need spacers at all.

Apr 6, 2016 | 12:19 PM

bashcraft

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From: Butler Pa

Which wheels are you using?

Apr 6, 2016 | 05:13 PM

resdoggie

Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JimLentz

One option is to install longer wheel studs and 1/2" hub centric spacers.

That's probably the only option for a 1/2" spacer unless your wheel spokes have a recess for the nuts used to bolt the spacer onto the wheel hub. I just went through this exercise.

Last edited by resdoggie; Apr 6, 2016 at 05:16 PM.

Apr 6, 2016 | 05:52 PM

FM73project

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From: Lake Placid Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by 929nitro

I used 1" spacers on my 75. They get bolted on using the original wheel studs and then they have a new set of studs in them for the wheel mount.

Thanks, what size rear tires?

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Apr 6, 2016 | 05:55 PM

FM73project

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From: Lake Placid Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by diehrd

Get the emergency brake bracket welded to the top of the trailing arm and you do not need spacers at all.

Thanks, I had planned on moving the E-brake bracket, but the rear spring hits before the bracket.

Apr 7, 2016 | 05:27 AM

#10

FM73project

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From: Lake Placid Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashcraft

Which wheels are you using?

Using the factory rally wheels

Apr 7, 2016 | 07:13 AM

#11

bashcraft

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FM73project

Using the factory rally wheels

295/50r15s are way too wide for a stock width wheel. It's going to look , silly. Those tires are 11" wide and the wheel is only 8".

Apr 7, 2016 | 09:13 AM

#12

diehrd

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From: New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashcraft

295/50r15s are way too wide for a stock width wheel. It's going to look , silly. Those tires are 11" wide and the wheel is only 8".

That is a 295/50/15

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Apr 7, 2016 | 09:18 AM

#13

bashcraft

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Quote:

Originally Posted by diehrd

That is a 295/50/15

Yep, and from the side it looks like a fat tire squeezed on to a skinny wheel.

Apr 7, 2016 | 09:26 AM

#14

diehrd

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bashcraft

Yep, and from the side it looks like a fat tire squeezed on to a skinny wheel.

Funny how certain and knowledgeable you are about this and ya aint ever done it .

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Apr 7, 2016 | 09:36 AM

#15

FM73project

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bashcraft

295/50r15s are way too wide for a stock width wheel. It's going to look , silly. Those tires are 11" wide and the wheel is only 8".

You would be surprised, the manufacturer recommends a 8"-10 1/2' wheel width. I have them mounted and you would never know they were 8" wheels. Flat tread with slight sidewall taper.

Apr 7, 2016 | 09:37 AM

#16

bashcraft

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Quote:

Originally Posted by diehrd

Funny how certain and knowledgeable you are about this and ya aint ever done it .

You're right, I aint ever done it, because other people do it and I've seen how it looks. Thanks for proving my point.

Apr 7, 2016 | 10:17 AM

#17

diehrd

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From: New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashcraft

You're right, I aint ever done it, because other people do it and I've seen how it looks. Thanks for proving my point.

Your point of view was not what teh topic was about , I figured I would show ya it looks fine but your still a know it all..

Maybe you can tell him about wheel spacers as he is asking ? And leave your personal thoughts personal .

Apr 7, 2016 | 10:50 AM

#18

929nitro

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From: West Kingston RI

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM73project

Thanks, what size rear tires?

I can get you the sizes tonight but I am running 20" wheels in the rear. I want to say they are 255 but I will let you know tomorrow for sure.

Apr 7, 2016 | 06:18 PM

#19

leadfoot4

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From: Western NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashcraft

You're right, I aint ever done it, because other people do it and I've seen how it looks. Thanks for proving my point.

Apr 7, 2016 | 06:53 PM

#20

Kubs

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Bolt on wheel spacers/adapters would be the best option, but if you do not have room for the studs and lug nuts to fit in the mounting surface of the wheel then a 1/2" hub centric spacer and longer studs will be fine.

Wheel with space for adapters (notice the recesses in between the lug holes):

As a side note, I too think a large tire stuffed on a small wheel looks silly. It looks like it doesn't fit, because it doesn't...

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