Jazzer The Cat

I'm a little dizzy reading all your instructions, but I guess I wasn't when I wrote them!

See, I said you had room for a 1" spacer and that may be fine for 3" studs. What I didn't mention on my Post #3 above, is that my studs are not 100% installed up to the back-side of the axle plate. I have about a 3/16" washer back there and would be that much longer if these washers were not installed. That means, I believe a 1" spacer will work without ANY mods to the studs and should be fine. You will need to do some figuring to confirm, but you already know you need a spacer, just not sure how much yet. Just install the studs and do the "thread on lugs and pull wheel outward" trick to measure the space you have once the lug-nuts are lightly bottomed out on the studs. Just make the spacer a little bit THICKER than this measured space and should be fine. If you get too thick, use a carbide steel cutter wheel to cut some of the starter portion of the studs so you don't push the wheel into the fender lip.

Once done, be sure to do you articulation test AGAIN to confirm that you don't have hard contact on anything that would cause damage.

Jazzer

smitty2919

I got ya. Sorry if my posts are all over the place and have too many numbers and descriptive actions.

It comes down to: I can go with a 1" space WITHOUT rolling the fenders but NEED longer studs. The only concern becomes what happens when the spacer is removed and I put the wheel back on...if the longer studs will/will not allow the center cap to be put on.

Maybe I missed it, but why did you use a 3/16" washer to bring the studs back a tad?

I'm going to mock up some sleeves to act as a temporary spacer and slide them over the stock studs to see where I want the wheel to sit. Then figure out how long of studs I need and on with the rest of the plan. I don't know, maybe I will like the look with only a 1/2" spacer.

Jazzer The Cat

Oh, thanks for reminding me on what to do if you get a flat or change the wheel

In my particular case, I MUST have a 1/2" spacer 100% of the time a wheel is mounted on the rear axle. With the studs soo long, I am unable to run without it unless I were to use open-ended lug-nuts. I don't have any, so I am stuck with spacer, even on my spare. My spare just soo happens to be a Cobra spare to clear my brakes, BUT..... was not meant to clear the 4 piston calipers that I have installed. I already have a 1" spacer for my spare with old-school Crager lug-nuts to reach the normal length studs up front. If it ever gets mounted on the back, I will have 1.5" of spacers installed! In short, you will need to run the spacer even if you use your spare. Be sure to CONFIRM YOUR SPARE FITS PROPERLY before you get a flat somewhere.

The 3/16" washers were slipped over the lugs and between the mounting plate and the back end. This kept the studs from seating all the way through the mounting plate and so I didn't have to cut quite as much off the ends so the lug nuts would not bottom out when torqued.

I suppose you can look around for something OTHER than a 3" lug-bolt, but don't know who makes one. A good way to find out how much spacer without as much trouble as making a bunch of sleeves is the following. Jack up the back end via axle or shock mount ONLY high enough to get the tire bearly off the ground. Loosen all the lugs, or remove them altogether, and slide wheel outward to achieve the look you want. You can place a small rock or something so the wheel stays in place and step back and look from different angles. You will find the amount of spacer you want with limited trouble. I think you will end up liking a full 1" spacer as you earlier had 10.5" wheels and am sure you liked the look.

Jazzer

smitty2919

I found some plastic cylindrical spare pieces from work maybe 1.25" in dia. that I will drill a 1/2" clearance hole...3 of these on one wheel should do the trick. I already cut them 1" long and only have to put them on, then the wheel.

Thanks for the other alternative, I'll see what one works better! nd thanks for the reminder of the spare fitting lol

smitty2919

I'm leaning more toward a 1/2" to 3/4"....I test fitted the wheels to 1" and seem a bit far out. I MAY have to roll the fneder a tad for extra insurance.

Jazzer The Cat

I doubt it, but best to confirm BEFORE you cut a tire or damage your fender.

Jazzer

PS. Post up some pics so the entire internet world can critique your choice of spacer thickness and tell you how THEY would do it

smitty2919

If I end up making more spacers to test fit I'll try to remember to take pics. Either way I'll make them according to what I and only I like lol

But pics are pretty and fun to look at in threads

Jazzer The Cat

But.... the collective has already decided how your car should look!

Jazzer