Wheel spacers on a Gen III or "factory rims" to get better offset?

[Schitzangiggles]

I have been looking around and trying to find some reputable wheel spacers to push the wheels out and fill in the wheel wells a bit as the Mitsubishi factory rims make my '01 Montero look like a train car. I'm running 235/85R16 Cooper AT3 tires and the narrow tire exacerbates the look. I have searched and seen others rigs with what look like Chevy, toyota and other rims, but no info as to what exactly they are running. On another Jep site I frequent they have that kinda info in the FAQ's.

If you are running wheel spacers, where did you get them, how thick and have they worked out (every place seems to have a different answer as far as hub centric vs lug centric)?

If you went with another manufacturer's "factory" rim to get the same effect, what did you use and how has it been working out?


Thanks for the replies.

 

[KyleT]

You want hubcentric but I've not seen any for 3rd gens.

Toyota rims will fit and space out the tires. I had Tacoma steel wheels on one of mine for a while but went back to the oem 16's. The offset was a lot better but i felt like they were way heavier and that the conical lugs just didn't quite get them centered.

Artsy pic but 235's on mine don't look too narrow.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MoabRefugee]

About to install some H&R v60 Spacers. I have had H&R spacers on a 4000 Quattro that I used to own, and the quality was fantastic. I am about to throw the "kitchen sink" at my '01, and the spacers will be going on prior to alignment/post suspension install. I wimped out and went with 265/75, as I didn't want the extra surface area for winter, and that size cries out for track widening, even more so with 235/85, which will be my rally tire size.

You could also go custom for nearly the same money with these guys http://www.motorsport-tech.com/.

Friends that have used them have nothing but positives for commentary. I will be using these guys to make my front strut spacers, as they are much less money than ordering from AUS (Snake Racing, etc.).

 

[Offroadmuch]

So if I am understanding this correctly, wheel spacers will cause more arc while turning the steering wheel which may result in tire rubbing at or near full lock. So why not just run a wider tire on stock wheels and skip spacers? Unless the goal is skinny tires with a wide stance then it would all make sense... I am new to most of the mods on Monteros so thanks for the feedback...

 

[Jvdkooij]

So if I am understanding this correctly, wheel spacers will cause more arc while turning the steering wheel which may result in tire rubbing at or near full lock. So why not just run a wider tire on stock wheels and skip spacers? Unless the goal is skinny tires with a wide stance then it would all make sense... I am new to most of the mods on Monteros so thanks for the feedback...

I had the same idea.
At this moment we have 265/65 and in spring we will install 265/75, although I would prefer 255/85 but cant find them cheap enough

 

[plh]

Swapping out my 235/85R16 on 2001 wheels for 285/75R16 on 20th anniversary wheels (plus an ARB/OME lift). The 235 tires are too squirly since new day 1 - and they now have 35k miles on them are are getting quite the hum.

 

[Schitzangiggles]

You have to remember that putting a wider tire on the stock rim can cause issues of the tire rubbing on the suspension and frame because it sticks in as far as it sticks out. You also get more rolling resistance from the width of the tread in contact with the ground, so in rain or snow you are forcing the tire to move more water/snow/mud etc as you drive increasing the work the engine has to overcome and because of this you increase the risk of hydroplaning or spinning out. With a narrower tire when aired down the contact patch is longer and will have about the same square inches as the wider tire without the penalty the extra width causes. In winter driving you generally want increased contact pressure to increase the amount of friction available for steering, braking, or accelerating.

The reason I am asking about spacers vs other OEM rims is a lack of options/knowledge of what rims from which vehicles will give me the right amount of backspacing/offset. I only want a hubcentric spacer because of the extra support and stability they offer vs lug centric spacers.

 

[plh]

You have to remember that putting a wider tire on the stock rim can cause issues of the tire rubbing on the suspension and frame because it sticks in as far as it sticks out. You also get more rolling resistance from the width of the tread in contact with the ground, so in rain or snow you are forcing the tire to move more water/snow/mud etc as you drive increasing the work the engine has to overcome and because of this you increase the risk of hydroplaning or spinning out. With a narrower tire when aired down the contact patch is longer and will have about the same square inches as the wider tire without the penalty the extra width causes. In winter driving you generally want increased contact pressure to increase the amount of friction available for steering, braking, or accelerating.

The reason I am asking about spacers vs other OEM rims is a lack of options/knowledge of what rims from which vehicles will give me the right amount of backspacing/offset. I only want a hubcentric spacer because of the extra support and stability they offer vs lug centric spacers.

Can't disagree with your statement about narrow vs. wide when air down and off road. Not sure of your planned driving of the vehicle, but in actual miles our '05 is on the street and highway 95% or more of the time. We had Falkin Wild Peak A/T on it for 45k miles (265/75R17) and were a much more stable tire on the street (like glue). I would never go to a 235/85R16 again on this platform in a daily driver. Just my experiance.

 

[Schitzangiggles]

Mine is about 40% road and 60% off road. Lots of 2 tracks and sand dunes. Running the OME 2"HD lift. Wife thought I was crazy high speed through the whoops and catching some air to break in the springs. Out of the box it rode like a dump truck and was closer to 3.5 in of height over stock and after the break in they are @2.25 in over stock. I just feels tippy when side hilling which is why I want the wider stance.

 

[kdj]

Custom made hubcentric spacers are not cheap. But the right way to go if you feel that a spacer is right for you.
http://www.wheeladapter.com/wheel_spacers.php quick search turned this up.