Will spacers provide me any value?

[friedenfels]

Starting off conservatively on my 21 Sport S by going with no lift and 33" tires.......for now. I saw a couple YouTube videos of guys putting on spacers to move wheels outwards was wondering if there was any benefit in me doing it, or if the only value would be if I went 35's? One video touted less wear on ball joints (sounds opposite of logic) and another says the vehicle is more stable because the width is wider with spacers.

Thoughts?

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[JT1]

People add spacers so 35s won't rub on their sway bar links and lower control arms (sometimes they'll rub on the front bumper too) If you're adding 285/70 17s there is no value except cosmetic. If you are adding a 33x12.50, you might need them. The added tire width may be an issue.

 

[RobJr]

Spacers or aftermarket wheels with offset that pushes the wheels out further will cause some additional stress on ball joints and wheel bearings. That can lead to premature component wear but it's hard to quantify or predict. Given the number of people that customize their Jeeps with spacers or wheels that extend the wheel position and the relatively low percentage of issues reported, I wouldn't worry much about it. I'd personally start with 33's and no spacers unless you're dead set on the wider stance look. 33's shouldn't rub on your sport unless you go wide with 12.5's.

 

[VKSheridan]

Stick to no greater than 1.75“ spacers, torque them to the hub properly and you’ll be fine. Some folks will argue spacers are bad because the add leverage to your axles but whether the offset “leverage” is from a spacer or cast into the wheel, distance from the hub is distance from the hub. More than 1.75” could be pushing things.

As for benefits, I don’t really see any. Yeah, my wheel sticks out further from the hub an inch and three quarters but does that wider stance help me on the trail where others fail? Nah. Does it improve fuel mileage, ride or stability? Nah. Does it give me more steering angle with stock wheels? Nah.

Does it give more clearance between the inner fender and a larger tire? Yeah.

Does it make the Jeep look a bit more badass? I think so.

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