Axle extender?

[Sarahs85Bronco]

I watch trick that truck and they used theses things that bolted on to where the tire normally goes and then bolted the tire to that all with the lugs. Anyone have a clue what im talking about? I cant think of how to explain it better cause this part is completly new to me. Thanx >

 

[EvlFaust]

You are refering to wheel spacers. They are usually made out of a lightweight aluminum and bolt on just like you mentioned. They are mainly used to get correct backspacing for certain wheels or for oversized tires.

There really isn't issue with using them, however I don't really see a point in them unless you are having some rubbing problems due to wider tires.

A couple of people that I know who have wheel spacers got them from PerformanceWheel.com. They machine them to order based on your application and width required.

www.performancewheel.com

 

[Broncobill78]

Yup those are wheel spacers and I really woundn't recommend using them.Moving it outboard like that puts a whole lot of stress on the wheel studs and they just weren't designed for that. Some of the sports-car types like to use them and they maybe get away with it a little better because the overall tire/rim package they use weighs a whole lot less than truck combos do but even for those guys anyone who builds a proper car won't touch them. The front studs see even *more* stress than the rears because those tires turn & change the angles all the time. If you want the wheels to stick out more the generally accepted method is to simply use wider tires. I've seen the S10 crowd doing this from time to time and have to say that there's simply *nothing* cool about making your truck look like a water-bug, but at the heart of it all it's really a safety thing. Wheel spacers are just bad JuJu.

 

[crazyhorse85]

BB78 HAS A GOOD POINT THERE...IF YOU PLAN ANY OFF-ROADING AT ALL I WOULDN'T ADVISE ON THERE USE...THEY DON'T TAKE STRESS VERY WELL...I'VE SEEN A LITTLE IMPORT SNAP ONE DURING A BURN-OUT WASN'T PRETTY . IF YOU WANT YOUR TIRES TO STICK OUT MORE YOU MIGHT CHECK INTO DEEPDISH RIMS OR A LITTLE LESS BACK SPACING...MY SONS 89 TIRES SET OUT FURTHER THAN MINE ON MY 85 DO...THEY THE SAME SIZE 33X12.50/15 BUT HIS LOOK ALOT LARGER HIS BACKSPACING IS LESS THAN MINE....HOPE THIS HELPS.... >-

 

[STLKIKN]

I don't recommend wheel adaptors either...spacers slip over the studs, generally giving 1/4." "Adaptors" bolt on and may or may not change the bolt pattern as well.

They do add extra stress to the wheel studs and front end components. There is also the inconvenience/ safety factor, every time you have a wheel off for service, it needs to be re-torqued after approx 80 miles, and should be rechecked again after every wheeling excursion. Now think that you have two sets of lugs on every corner now, and that you have to remove the wheel everytime you need to torque the adaptors, and then torque and re-torque the wheels again.

Most people can't be bothered... I have seen the aftermath of an adaptor coming off... not pretty.

Try finding a wheel with the backspacing you need to achieve the look you are after, most aftermarket 15" wheels have a 3.75" backspace, most factory Ford 15" wheels from about 1980 and up have either 3.25 or 3.5" backspace and are only 7- 7 1/4" wide. An aftermarket 8 or 10" wide wheel with 3.75" of b.s. will push the outside of the wheel out 4.25- 6.25", vs. the factory wheels 3.5"

 

[89eddie89]

backspacing is the best way to go. i got 3.75 mickey thompson 15x10 and they look sweetttttttt.

 

[89eddie89]

also the 10" rims make the tire look so much wider.

 

[Sarahs85Bronco]

Thank you! Yeah my tires rub when i turn I have 35in tires on a 6in lift. I never even heard of backspacing so ill look into that. Thank you again!