by Torque Staff Report
For many, the process of modifying their Jeeps is something that is never really done. From bumpers to side steps — lights to lockers, everything can be a new adventure.
And one of the biggest adventures is overhauling the vehicle's suspension, tires and wheels, in order to perform better when off-roading.
However, sometimes the perfect wheel may not be a perfect fit on that Jeep. Whether it is the offset, backspacing, bolt pattern, or a combination of all three, there just may not be enough room and ability for it to work correctly.
So that is where wheel spacers and adapters become important.
These are not flashy products. They won’t light the way at night, or air down your tires with one press of a button. But for those looking to upgrade tires or purchase new wheels with a different bolt pattern, wheels spacers and adapters can help the space needed for perfect performance.
So how do wheel spacers and adapters perform this magic, and are they really worth installing? Are there any legalities, are they safe, and what are some recommended products.
Here are some answers.
Wheel spacers, quite simply, are devices made of metal, normally aluminum. They mount to the wheel studs in place of the wheel and then Loc-tite is used to ‘lock’ the new lug nuts to the threads on the studs. Once installed, these lugs must be torqued to spec and checked again at the manufacturer’s recommended mileage.
A Jeep’s wheels then mount to the studs built into the wheel spacers, thus pushing those wheels and tires further out from the Jeep. Why is this important? Well, it allows for clearance of wider tires for those who have upgraded that rubber, while letting them retain factory wheels (thus saving money by not adding new rims) without having to worry about rubbing issues.
Another form of wheel spacers are wheel adapters. This product, instead of pushing wheels out from the Jeep, actually converts the stock bolt pattern on your vehicle into a different version. Popular wheel adapter conversions for Jeep applications are:
- 5x4.5” to 5x5” which converts YJ, TJ, XJ, ZJ to a JK bolt pattern
- 5x4.5” to 5x5.5” which converts YJ, TJ, XJ, ZJ to a CJ bolt pattern
- 5x5” to 5x4.5” which converts JK to a YJ, TJ, XJ, ZJ bolt pattern
- 5x5” to 5x5.5” which converts JK to a CJ bolt pattern
Whether wheel spacers or adapters are worth installing is a matter of personal preference and budget. Purchasing all new wheels with a better offset will easily allow larger and wider tires, but sometimes aftermarket wheels have the perfect look for someone and not the perfect offset. Or, for those who love their factory wheels, and are planning on adding a small lift, then spacers can help provide the necessary room. Additionally, , you may find some you really love that are only available in a different bolt pattern. If so, adding wheel adapters to convert that bolt pattern is an economical choice.
One thing to consider when installing wheel spacers or adapters are your local inspection laws and regulations. These laws do vary from state to state, but most states have some form of vehicle inspection. So if your state does employ a vehicle inspection law, then we definitely recommend checking with your local inspection station on the legalities of running wheel spacers/adapters.
One important question that often comes up regarding wheel spacers/adapters is ‘are they safe?’
The simple answer is - yes. High-quality spacers made from billet aluminum are just as strong – if not stronger – than the wheel they attach to. But adding spacers is adding another component on at the end of that axle, so make sure to properly tighten and torque all of the spacers’ bolts and nuts. The important thing to remember, like any other installation job, is to follow instructions and do not take on something past your level of expertise.
As far as recommended brands, there are many wheel spacer/adapter options and Spidertrax or Synergy tend to be the most popular these days. However, other high-quality brands to consider are Teraflex, Rugged Ridge, G2, Alloy USA, Crown Automotive, Mountain Off-Road and Accel.
