Wheel Spacers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Texas City, TX Texas
Wheel Spacers
I hope I'm not opening a can of worms. I am having some wheels widened to 10" and I will probably need to fine tune the fitment. I have the Van Steel offset trailing arms, with new bearing/hub assembly already installed. The wheel studs, I believe, are 1-1/2" long. How thick of a spacer is safe for street driving?
Tech Contributor
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I hope I'm not opening a can of worms. I am having some wheels widened to 10" and I will probably need to fine tune the fitment. I have the Van Steel offset trailing arms, with new bearing/hub assembly already installed. The wheel studs, I believe, are 1-1/2" long. How thick of a spacer is safe for street driving?
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
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I would use an adapter before I would use a spacer. Less risk of nuts loosening and wheel not properly centered on the hub.
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Spacers are common...but I wouldn't want to run a 1" one. But even if you did.....you want to get all the thread engagement possible with open ended nuts that have the shank portion extending into the spacer as far as possible without bottom out when tightened. I would rather have a spacer than an adapter. You can get "hub centric" spacers if you want them...but I've run 200 MPH with regular spacers (3/8").
JIM
JIM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
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From: Orrtanna Pa.
I hope I'm not opening a can of worms. I am having some wheels widened to 10" and I will probably need to fine tune the fitment. I have the Van Steel offset trailing arms, with new bearing/hub assembly already installed. The wheel studs, I believe, are 1-1/2" long. How thick of a spacer is safe for street driving?
For thinner you can get away with 1/4 inch on stock studs, but I went ahead and replaced all my studs with longer ones.
Check these guys out. They will make any size you need.
Wheel Adapters, Wheel Spacers, Hub Rings for your car! | Motorsport Tech (motorsport-tech.com)
Forgot to mention. If you go with the Motorsport Tech guys they can make the spacer both hub and wheel concentric, thats what I did. The spacer slips over the hub and also has a lip that fits into the wheel itself. You give them the specs,...they will cut it to fit. There is absolutely no vibration from these since the wheel can not move off center.
Last edited by The Money Pit; Nov 30, 2021 at 12:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Thanks guys! I know the last two responders are making big power, if it's good enough for you it's good enough for me. I'm sure the Van Steel studs are quality items. The wheels I will run have empty spaces between the bolt holes to clear the studs if necessary. I have used wheel adapters a few times, if I need to go 1" I will definitely use them.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Yes, I will show pictures when I get them. They are ET aluminum slots I got here on the forum, 7-1/2", widening them to 10". I have never seen 10 slots with the offset to the inside. I hope I can make them work!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Texas City, TX Texas
I am hoping to fit some of these:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/H...4aAk7JEALw_wcB
I also have a pair of 3-1/2" slots, for skinny front runners.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/H...4aAk7JEALw_wcB
I also have a pair of 3-1/2" slots, for skinny front runners.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
I am hoping to fit some of these:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/H...4aAk7JEALw_wcB
I also have a pair of 3-1/2" slots, for skinny front runners.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/H...4aAk7JEALw_wcB
I also have a pair of 3-1/2" slots, for skinny front runners.
These are 28x12 drag radials on 15x10 Welds With any luck yours will not stick out quite as far as mine do. I could not justify the expense to cut and weld the frame to move mine in.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
I am installing offset rear arms, tubulars up front, and double adjustable coil-overs all around. I can adjust it to have a rear rake and old-school big and littles, or lower it down and put on the Western Hurricanes depending on my mood. Or run the rallies. I even have some Centerline clones I might play with. Eventually I'm sure I'll get some 17s or 18s. I just love the look of 15s on these older cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I hope I'm not opening a can of worms. I am having some wheels widened to 10" and I will probably need to fine tune the fitment. I have the Van Steel offset trailing arms, with new bearing/hub assembly already installed. The wheel studs, I believe, are 1-1/2" long. How thick of a spacer is safe for street driving?
I for 20+ years have used 2 inch adapters with 6.5 B.S, on 13 inch rear wheels. Your effective B.S. is 4.5.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm not sure of adapter widths available