Off Come the Wheel Spacers

2024 ORP with the Black Out package, TRD Pro Wheels, etc. Eibach 2.0 coilovers up front, Cornfed 3/4" spacer lift out back (for now). I've run wheel spacers in the past on my JL Jeep as well as my Ram truck (...and I seem to recall running a set decades ago as well).

Several days ago, I installed Spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers on all 4 corners per the instructions (I had always used blue loctite in the past, but decided to use red this time per Spidertrax recommendation).

I kinda like the look, but unfortunately, I didn't like the feel on the road. I guess I'm a little picky, but there isn't a question in my mind that the spacers effect 'road feel.' I also was getting a slight (...and infamous) steering wheel shimmy at around 60 to 63 mph. I un-installed the spacers today. No shimmy at 60ish mph, and there's a 'smoothness' to the ride that just isn't there with the spacers installed.

I want to be clear; I'm talking about a very subtle difference, and I'm not in any way suggesting that Spidertrax wheel spacers are bad or unsafe. They seem to be a very well built product, and as I said above, I've run wheel spacers a few times over the years.

I suppose some will say that perhaps my installation was at fault, but this is a new truck (5700 miles) with very clean hubs (..and I cleaned them even more prior to installation). I torqued them to spec, re-torqued at precisely 50 miles, and rechecked torque again prior to taking them off.

After removal, I cleaned up the studs with a wire wheel on a dremel (lightly), and checked to make sure the OEM lug nuts went on without resistance to the loctite residue.

 

Interesting to hear this feedback! I’ve got a set in my garage that I got almost free on Facebook and I’ve been considering adding them to my 2014 just for the fun of it and the aesthetics. I’m curious if anyone else has had similar experiences. It feels like spacers conversations are only ever about safety, clearance or other technical things, not just preferences like drivability, aesthetics, etc.

 

@jstam316 almost free, nice, that’s a great deal for these.
Luckily I haven’t had this shimmy issue, at all, even though I also installed 1.25” spidertrax.
@Ran4
Interesting, good to know.
Question, how did you personally go about removing spacers with red loctite? Did it require heat? I used that too

 

I almost included the removal process in the original post, but honestly, I was taken by surprise on how easily the spacer nuts turned off. I was ready with the torch, but thought I'd try with the breaker bar first, and if I felt undo resistance, I would apply heat. As a result, the breaker bar easily broke the nuts loose. In retrospect, I wish I would have used my torque wrench to loosen them so I could determine the approximate force it took to break them loose, but, as I said above, it didn't take nearly the force that I anticipated (..24' breaker bar).

 

I’ve had mine for years. 4th Gen wheels/tires are too far inboard IMO. That extra 1.25” per side is how 4th Gens should look from the factory.

No effect on ride or handling in my case. Before and after adding Spidertrax.



I think red threadlocker has a bit of an inflated reputation as far as removal. It’s very effective at its purpose, and takes extra force obviously but I’ve never had an issue with a breaker bar.

 

Yep, I can definitely appreciate why people use the spacers; especially in particular cases. With the TRD Pro wheels having a touch less positive offset (+4, I believe?) than the OEM ORP wheels, I think the aesthetics are a little better. But, I 'did' like the look with the spacers on. These 4runners seem SO sensitive to subtle changes in suspension..

 

If i were you, I think I'd go ahead and install the spacers, and see what you think? I'd be curious to know. I just returned from running an errand with my 4R, and it only confirmed how I feel. It's not a 'night and day' difference, but there isn't a question in my mind that it rides and drives more smoothly without the spacers. Maybe I'm nuts??..

 

I, too, tend to be aware of those minor adjustments, which is why your feedback is so interesting to me. I've never been the type who can just "turn up my radio" to "solve" car noises like a lot of people I know haha!

 

I hear ya, John. Before removing the spacers, I had just returned from a roughly 50 mile drive; some highway, some interstate, etc. Then I came home, immediately removed the spacers, and went out on the same drive. That's when I knew that it wasn't just in my head. I still say the difference is subtle, but it's definitely there.

 

Hey, not to insult anyone here but a word of caution - be sure the spacer lug nuts are oriented correctly. It’s not a hard mistake to make and I saw a pic from when some poor bastard’s front wheel came off because of it.

 

No offense taken. I don't understand how someone could make that mistake, but I suppose it happens

 

This is great information I really appreciate it. I may ditch the spacers if I go from 33 to 35’s

 

5gs have sensitive steering. With less than 100 miles on the odo, I had a terrible shimmy with spacers. Had them reinstalled by reputable shop. No difference. Had wheels balanced numerous times. No difference. Took off spacer and no more vibs. Its hard to get the wheel balancing dialed at big box tire shops. Alittle off balance and i get vibes at high ways speeds. 5g t4rs are sensitive.

 

One of the things I tried was to rotate the tires front to rear. This helped. The 60mph(ish) shimmy almost disappeared completely, but the road feel still wasn't as good as after I removed the spacers. As you say, these trucks are sensitive to steering/tire balance issues. I could have went the route of trying road force balancing, alignment, etc, but the aesthetics gain from the spacers isn't worth the sacrifice for me.