Toyota Wheels and spacers

[iamsparticus]

I need to ax you guys a question. I'm right about to do a solid axle swap into a 1991 4runner, the axle is from a 1980 toyota truck and of course it is 3 inchs narrower than my rear, so my question is: is it better to get spacers to fix this or wheels with more back spaceing, or should i just leae it alone.

 

[Tacoma]

uh oh

the question ax!

wheels with more backspacing make the problem worse

 

[Chevycrew]

To get a matching width, without the hassle of inspectors over wheel spacers, I would do the hub widening kit from sky-manufacturing. I also allows use of biggers calipers and vented rotors.

 

[OREGON85]

I've never been hassled about my wheel spacers. From what I understand technically, wheel "spacers" just slip over the lug nuts and are held on by the wheel, and that is what the inspectors should be looking for.

 

[Chevycrew]

true, but it depends... The upgrades in brakes are worth it, IMO

 

[iamsparticus]

okay the hub extention sounds like the way to go

 

[Chevycrew]

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=127

Here is the link. If you can afford it I would go this route, or run spacers and upgrade later.

 

[mierdota]

i would do spacers thats what i am doing in the rear of mine you shouldnt be hastled. i can even build you a set for cheap on our cnc

 

[iamsparticus]

what if i run wider wheels just in the front wil that have the same neg effect as spacers or is that better

 

[LT.]

Problem with running different wheels up than in the back is you will then, more than likely need two spares. If money is a problem then just go with the wheel spacers up front.

LT.

 

[iamsparticus]

sadly enough money is the problem, so it looks like i will have to go with the spacers, it's just that i have never had to run them and everyone always says they make it so you chew through bearings fast, is this true, or should i not worry with only 1 inch spacers?

 

[LT.]

The reason they will wear out bearings faster is not just because of the spacers. The same thing would happen with a wheel that has less back spacing as well. What is going on is you are moving the wheel and the tires out side. Thus giving the wheel and tire combo more leverage against the bearings. This is going to happen no matter what route you take to get your combo further out board on the axle.

LT.

 

[big cherokee]

as far as wheel spacers the ones that bolt on to the axle and then the wheel bolts to them are concidered adapters (had uhp inspect my truck once :-\ )

also you can upgrade your brakes to the v6 calipers and vented rotors with your stock hubs. i would get some adapters from trail gear and run those with what ever wheels you want, just keep the tires covered up.

 

[BCGPER]

"Chew through" bearings? Not hardly. There will be additional forces aplied to the bearings, so dont plan on getting 200K miles out of them. Just service them like you should, and you'll have no issues. I have in the past, and still do run spacers. NEVER a bearing failure.

When installing them, get your mounting surfaces as clean as you possibly can. Any dirt or rust that could keep them from mounting perfectly true will be multiplied with the added width. Use a torque wrench to snug them down evenly. Last but not least, paint the entire assemly black and they'll never be noticed.

sadly enough money is the problem, so it looks like i will have to go with the spacers, it's just that i have never had to run them and everyone always says they make it so you chew through bearings fast, is this true, or should i not worry with only 1 inch spacers?

 

[Rot Box]

I would go the cheap route and run spacers. Don't go over 1.5" on each side or your scrub radius becomes a big problem--ask me how I know

This is a VERY common thing to do on Toyota trucks and 4runners with solid front axles. Although there is more leverage on the hub compared to stock I have not seen any negative effects on wheel bearings. The trunion bearings however will give you fits if you plan to use large tires or install new (cheap) bearings and don't set them up properly...

That said upgrade your brakes to the FJ rotors and IFS calipers. I have melted several sets of non vented rotors even with 31's

 

[Panos]

plus you're driving this on the road, right? keep the wheels the same. for rotation purposes. use a 1.5 wheel spacer. you will have no problems. thats not big enough to cause any

 

[iamsparticus]

thanks guys i think i'll end up with spacers, oh and i do want the V6 calipers off my ifs set up to go on the axle wuth the rotors so i wil get the adapter kit

 

[iamsparticus]

Hey i didn't see any adapter kits on trailgear, justa rear disc brake conversion kit?

 

[OREGON85]

http://trail-gear.com/wheelspacers.html
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/wheel-spacers/6-lug-x-55-pattern-toyota
http://www.allprooffroad.com/tech-info-mainmenu-63/spacers/toyspacers

Looks like All-pro wins.

 

[NOTATOY]

EVERY company that sells a full IFS eliminator kit comes with 1.5" spacers and vented rotors, that way you can still run your factory IFS calipers. Keep it simple!! Tried and true results when you keep it simple.