OffroadAdmin
If you want to put large, tall tires on your Jeep, you will need to achieve the proper tire clearance. Jeep wheel spacers will allow you to do just that. It’s important that you buy the right spacers and adapters for your intended tire size so that you can safely and securely fit the tires onto the wheels.
Wheel spacers also offer the option of widening the wheelbase of your vehicle. The wheels will stick out more, making the Jeep appear to be rugged and sporty. They don’t simply change the appearance of a vehicle – the wider distance between tires enables better handling, particularly when going around curves.
Jeep Wheel Spacer Components
Some spacers are sold individually, and some are sold in pairs. There are also kits available with all of the essential hardware, including pre-installed wheel studs, thread locker, and lug nuts. The leading wheel spacer brands for off-road vehicles are Rough Country and Spidertrax.
Sizes range from 0.25-inch to 2-inch spacers. 5×4.5-inch to 5×5-inch adapters are an option for Jeeps as well. The ideal spacer should be constructed from a high-quality material, such as a proprietary aluminum/magnesium alloy, to ensure strength and durability.
Wheel Spacer Safety for Jeeps
There are some who would argue that installing spacers on Jeeps isn’t exactly safe. However, spacers are safe just as long as they are installed properly and follow the guidelines. It’s ideal that you stay within conservative widths.
High-quality spacers – particularly those that bolt up to your axle first – aren’t any more or less dangerous than a wheel with less backspacing. You MUST avoid the cheap spacers that leave hardly any thread for the lug nuts to hold onto, as these can be dangerous. Always stick with quality.
While it would be ideal to get wheels with the correct offset to begin with, that’s not always feasible. For some Jeep owners, spacers are the only option.
Correcting Wheel Offsets With Spacers
Aftermarket wheels are not always available in the ideal fitment for a particular vehicle. When the offset is too high, the wheel is forced to sit inward, resulting in both poor stance and appearance. A wheel offset that is too high may result in the tire rubbing against the suspension components or inside the inner wheel well lining.
Such problems can be corrected with the use of spacers, provided that they are high-quality and of the ideal size.
Types of Jeep Wheel Spacers
They come in two primary forms: slide-on and bolt-on. The slide-on spacers are the most common. All that is required is that they slide onto existing bolts. You can simply remove the rim or wheel from the axle, slide the spacer over the studs, and then refit the wheel to the axle.
The bolt-on spacers are designed to be bolted onto the hub. When the wheel is removed, the spacer is placed over the end of the axle stud, and the nut is used to hold it in place at the end of the axle.
If there is any vibration after the Jeep wheel spacers are installed, check to make sure that the spacers are hub-centric and that you have a hub ring. Follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines carefully.
Jeep Wheel Spacers FAQ
What do wheel spacers do on a Jeep?
Wheel spacers push a Jeep’s wheels and tires outward to create more clearance for larger tires or to accommodate bigger brake calipers. They provide a wider stance for a more aggressive look, improve off-roading performance, and can adapt wheels with a different bolt pattern to your Jeep.
What do I need to know before installing Jeep wheel spacers?
Firstly, carefully check your vehicle for adequate clearance. Use a tape measure to check that there’s enough room to move the tire outward without hitting the bodywork. Keep in mind that suspension movement and body roll will increase the required space.
Will wheel spacers affect my Jeep’s off-road performance?
Yes, but in a good way. Jeep wheel spacers widen your track width, improving stability on uneven terrain, steep climbs, tight trails, and off-camber situations. The added clearance also helps accommodate beefier tires, which can enhance grip and trail capability.
Can I use wheel spacers to fit wheels from another vehicle onto my Jeep?
Yes. Bolt-pattern adapters allow you to fit wheels with different lug patterns. This is especially useful for Jeep owners who love aftermarket wheel styles that don’t come in Jeep-compatible configurations.
Are thicker wheel spacers better for Jeep builds?
Not always. Thicker Jeep wheel spacers create more inner-fender clearance, but they also increase leverage on wheel bearings and suspension parts. Choosing the right thickness depends on your tire width, offset, lift height, and driving style (sometimes 1–1.25 inches is the sweet spot).
