Wheel spacers allow you to create extra clearance between the wheel and the hub assembly. This will allow you to install custom wheels or suspension kits and provide better handling performance in some cases.
The best wheel spacers are the Supreme Suspensions Kit, which is an aerospace-grade billet construction that provides a 1.5 or 2 inch spacing of your wheels.
When you install wheel spacers, it’s important that you also install longer lug nuts and locking lug nuts. Standard OEM lug nuts will reduce the thread engagement, which means that driving could potentially be dangerous.
Table of Contents
Wheel Spacers Comparison
| Wheel Spacers | Construction | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Suspensions | T6 Aluminum | 1.5 or 2 Inch |
| YITAMOTOR Forged | T6 Aluminum | 1.5 or 2 Inch |
| Spidertrax S2PWHS010 | T6 Aluminum | 1.5 Inch |
| Rugged Ridge 15201.05 | T6 Aluminum | 1.5 Inch |
| Goplus Adapter Kit | Aluminum Alloy | 2 Inch |
| ECCPP Adapters | T6 Aluminum | 1.0 Inch |
| RockTrix Hub Centric | T6 Aluminum | 1.0, 1.5 or 2 inch |
| Orion Motor Tech | T6 Aluminum | 1.5 Inch |
Installing wheel spacers is a divided topic with many completely against the idea. However, when using premium hub centric spacers, they can provide a range of benefits that include improved handling, appearance and rectifying incorrect offsets.
Failing to install the correct wheel spacers can result in extra stress to the bearings, change the airflow to the brakes and increases fender rubbing. However, if you are looking for wheel spacers, these drawbacks are irrelevant with the correct spacers installed.
Below is a list of the best wheel spacers that allow you to push your wheels outwards for additional clearance.
The Best Wheel Spacers
1. Supreme Suspensions Wheel Spacers
Supreme Suspensions provide a set of 4 wheel spacers that are suitable for the Dodge Ram and other manufacturers. They easily bolt on to the wheel hub and take just a few hours to install with basic tools.
Features of the Supreme Suspensions wheel spacers include:
- Available in black or silver
- Aerospace-grade billet construction
- Precision machined splined studs
- Choice of 1.5 or 2 inch wheel spacers
- Suitable for both 2WD and 4WD
- 5 x 5.5 inch bolt pattern
- ASE certified
The Supreme Suspensions produce a wide range of wheel spacers that have all been developed and tested by ASE specialists. For those with a Dodge Ram and require their wheels spacing, these wheel spacers are the best option.
Check it Out2. YITAMOTOR Forged Hub Centric Wheel Spacers
Yitamotor have been producing wheel spacers for many years now and these are their latest generation. They are fully forged and have passed the international SGS standards and even come with a 5 year warranty by the manufacturer. In terms of their compatibility, they are suitable for a range of Jeep and Dodge models.
Features of the Yitamotor Forged Wheel Spacers include:
- Constructed of a 6061-T6 forged disc
- Packaged as a set of 4
- Available as 1.5 or 2 inch spacers
- Anodized surface that prevents corrosion
- 5×5 bolt pattern
- Meet SGS high standards
- Includes a 5 year warranty
The Yitamotor wheel spacers are designed to provide maximum durability and offers excellent value for money. The brand even claim that you can install these in less than 2 hours, which is great for those worrying about a difficult installation.
Check it Out3. Spidertrax Wheel Adapter Spacer Kit
Spidertrax are another popular brand within the wheel spacers industry and these are suitable for a range of Jeep models. They are produced from a 6061-T6 aluminum and are 1.5 inch thick for mild spacing of the wheels.
Features of the Spidertrax Wheel Spacers include:
- Package include a pair of spacers
- Includes 10 lug nuts and a thread locker
- Anodized in dark blue using a double anodizing process
- Each spacer is wheel and hub centric
- Made in the USA
Considering that you only get two wheel spacers within the Spidertrax kit, it is fairly expensive. However, the 6061-T6 aluminum is highly durable and they have been anodized twice for enhanced corrosion resistance.
Check it Out4. Rugged Ridge Anodized Wheel Adapters
Features of the Rugged Ridge 15201.05 Wheel Spacers include:
- 6061 T6 aluminum construction
- Provides 1.5 inch spacing
- Universal fitting for 5 x 5 inch bolt patterns
- Hub centric design for OEM fitment
- Available in a black or red design
- Grade 8 extra strength hardware
- Packaged includes a pair of spacers
- Includes a 5 year warranty
Overall, the Rugged Ridge 15201.05 are great all-round wheel spacers that provide excellent longevity and corrosion resistance. Included with these wheel spacers are 10 pre-installed wheel studs, 10 lug nuts and a thread locker.
Check it Out5. Goplus Wheel Spacer Adapters
For those looking for cheap wheel spacers, the Goplus provide the perfect solution. They are suitable for a range of car manufacturers that include Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC.
Features of the Goplus Wheel Spacers include:
- 2 inches thick
- 6 x 5.5 inch bolt pattern
- Package includes 4 spacers
- High quality aviation aluminum alloy
- Anodized for resistance to corrosion
In terms of value for money, the Goplus provides everything you require to provide spacing to your wheels. However, the quality of the aluminum does suffer when compared to the alternatives but this may not be a big issue for some people.
Check it Out6. ECCPP Wheel Spacers Adapters
The ECCPP wheel spacers are another affordable option with a 5 lug wheel fitment that fits a wide range of vehicles. As with many of the premium alternatives, these are also constructed of a T-6 billet aluminum for the highest level of performance.
Other features of the ECCPP Spacer Kit include:
- Taper seal with a stronger resistance
- Constructed of forged 6061 T6 billet aluminum
- Pushes the wheel outwards by 1 inch
- 5 x 4.75 wheel bolt pattern
- Comes with 12 heated treat and hardened studs
- Oxidation treated surface
These wheel spacers are designed to provide a more aggressive stance and provide additional space for lift or lowering kits. Compared to similar priced alternatives, the ECCPP kit is built to much higher standards and include 12 lug nuts to fit the spacers straightaway.
Check it Out7. RockTrix Jeep Hub Centric Wheel Spacers
The RockTrix hub wheel spacers are a popular option among Jeep owners and are available as 1, 1.5 or 2 inch spacers. Whether you need to fix brake caliper clearance issues, improve handling or the stance, these wheel spacers are a great option.
Other features of the RockTrix Hub Centric include:
- Available in black or silver
- Hub centric design
- 5 x 5 bolt pattern
- T6 aerospace grade aluminum construction
- 71.5 mm hub bore for Jeeps
- Includes 20 1/2 inch threaded nuts
- 1, 1.5 or 2 inch spacing options
The use of wheel spacers for Jeep trucks or SUV’s is a common modification and there are many option to choose from. The RockTrix hub centric spacers are one of the most popular choices with multiple spacing options and colors to choose from.
Check it Out8. Orion Motor Tech Commander Spacer Adapters
The Orion Motor Tech wheel adapter spacers are an affordable kit that comes with a three year warranty for peace of mind. It’s a hub centric design with an additional centering collar that helps eliminates the dreaded vibration found on other cheap spacers.
Other features of the Orion Motor Tech Kit include:
- Compatible with most Jeep trucks or SUV’s
- 5 x 5 bolt patterns with a 71.5 mm hub bore
- Includes 20 x 1/2 inch studs
- Hub centric design with centering collar
- Constructed of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum billet
- Anodized surfaces for rust resistance
- Includes a three year warranty
The Orion Motor Tech Kit is an excellent all-round wheel spacer that comes with a three year warranty for peace of mind. Although cheap wheel spacers may have a bad reputation, these are built to the highest of standards and won’t disappoint.
Check it OutWheel Spacers Buying Guide
Investing into quality wheel spacers to improve the vehicles stance, performance of simply correct the offset of your wheels is a popular modification. However, if done incorrectly, it can cause stress on components such as the bearings and steering.
Most wheel spacers are made of a high quality aluminum and have stud sized holes that are used to mount to your wheel. We strongly recommend choosing a hub centric wheel spacer as they ensure the weight of the car is on the wheel hub and not dangerously on the studs.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below buying guide regarding wheel spacers.
Hub Centric vs Lug Centric
When it comes to wheel spacers, the two main types include a hub centric and lug centric. The more desirable of the two types is the hub centric because the weight of the wheel is supported by the hub rather than the lugs. There are no gaps between the hub and the center wheel lug, which makes it far safer.
The lug centric alternative is supported by the lug nut itself and not the wheel hub. This means the weight of the wheel is resting upon the lugs, which is not that safe when compared to the hub centric alternative. Therefore, we strongly recommend paying the extra for hub centric wheel spacers.
Compatibility
When it comes to choosing the type of wheel spacers that are suitable for your vehicle, you should check the bolt pattern and hub diameter. After the installation, you will also require new lug nuts to ensure maximum thread engagement with the hub and wheel. Most complete kits come with new lug nuts to use but if they don’t, we strongly recommend purchasing them yourself before fitting the spacers.
Before you purchase wheel spacers, it is also important to check the size that you require. Too thick of a spacer could result in a negative offset of your wheels and you may begin rubbing on your fenders. For most trucks or SUVs, this will not be a problem as the suspension is not as low.
Appearance
The majority of people will install wheel spacers for better stance, which is far more aggressive. Some people may also only install them to the rear of the vehicle for the staggered or drag strip car appearance, which can look great.
Wheel spacers for trucks are very popular with many owners opting to have the wheels pushed out further than the fenders. Below is an example of an aggressive stance that is made possible by using thick wheel spacers.
Are They Safe?
When using quality wheel spacers that is hub centric and is suited to the usage of the vehicle, then they will be safe. However, those that install cheap spacers or install them incorrectly can run into trouble. There are many cases of the lug nuts bending through the improper use of wheel spacers.
Drawback of Wheel Spacers
The main reason for installing spacers is for a more aggressive stance, increase wheel clearance and to improve handling performance. However, not all vehicles on the road are designed to be used with spacers and this can cause issues.
One of the most common problems that may occur is a reduced lifespan of the wheel bearings. This is due to the fact that the contact between the wheels and ball bearing is reduced, which can cause additional stress and early failure.
Due to the spacing of the wheels, they will be that much closer to the fender, which may result in tires rubbing against the fender. This can cause damage to the fender overtime and even make basic driving tasks such as full lock turning impossible. However, you can use a fender roller to increase the distance between the wheel and fender.
How To Install Wheel Spacers
Installing wheel spacers is fairly straight forward and you can have them installed in just a few hours. Below are brief steps to the installation:
- Thoroughly cleaning mounting hardware and hub.
- Attach wheel spacer to the hub.
- Align the spacer with the bolt holes.
- Lift wheel onto the hub and position correctly.
- Use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts.
- Check for any clearance or fender issues.
Once driving out on the road, be sure to check for any irregular handling issues or concerning noises. We highly advise avoiding high speeds until you are happy that they are installed correctly.
Conclusion
Adding wheel spacers for an improvement in stance, handling and clearance is a popular modification and can make a world of difference. However, issues can arise when people put incorrect spacer on their hub or use lug centric instead of hub centric.
All of our recommendations cover a range of manufacturers and we highly recommend choosing a spacer that is suited to your specific vehicle.
