Fix wheel position; spacers the answer?

[streetjeep2.5]

I know it may seem a bit dumb, but I am bugged by how the rear wheels on an MJ are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deeper into the fender well than the front wheels. I want to fix that. Options:

1. Aftermarket wheels with less backspace, but then they stick out too far on the front if the same width. :ack:

2. Aftermarket wheels and put 8" wide on the back and 6" inch on the front, but that does not trip my trigger either. :shake:

3. Stock wheels for the back widened by 2 inches, but MAN! That's expensive with shipping, etc., to the places I know of, unless anyone knows of a place in the St. Louis area that does that work, maybe Kansas City. :???:

4. Different looking wheels on the back than the front. YUCK! :grrrr:

5. 7 inch wide wheels where the front have the same backspacing as the stock wheels, but the rear with 1 to 1 1/2 inch less backspace. :???:

6. Spacers, but it would need to be at least 1 inch spacers. :dunno:

 

Quickest fix is spacers, and that, too, is about 80 smackeroo's. And, I've heard pro's and con's to spacers. Truck is highway only, 4x2, but occasionally hauls a fairly hefty load of stuff needed for landscaping, etc.

 

Ya'all got opinions? Know of aftermarket wheel companies that offer variable backspacing on the wheels I choose? Spacers a safe option? :roll:

[DJM/78]

Your cheapest bet is with spacers for the rear , however depending on your lift offset wheels will rub on the inner and outer fender

in the front anyway . IMHO I like the look of the offset wheels , if you run down to a wheel shop you could get more of an idea of a custom

offset that will be different from front to back but with matching offset wheels I can't even tell the difference , much less noticeable than

stock offset wheels .

[vaquaro]

Just some food for thought , narrower rear track reduces under-steer . Take a look at old sportscars with achaic suspention like our trucks used this narrower rear axel trick to improve handling :cheers:

[mvusse]

The rear axle on an MJ is no narrower than the front axle. The body is just a lot wider.

 

I have run spacers for a year and a half without problems. Before that I ran spacers on my Suburban for years without problems.

 

If I may suggest a brand, I would say to go with Spidertrax hub centric ones. The ones list 87-06 Wrangler are the ones you need for an MJ. They are 1.25" (gives you a 2.5" wider track), which is just about right.

[ComancheKid45]

x2 on the Spidertraxx.......Ive had no issues with mine :thumbsup:

[Geonovast]

You guys are silly... getting rid of the rake.... making the rear axle wider so it looks like it isn't narrower...

 

MJs have a distinctive look. Personally I vote to keep it :D

[Eagle]

Ya'all got opinions?

Yupp.

 

Spacers a safe option?

Yes ... if you get the ones that are machined from solid billet, not castings. They are expensive.

 

My opinion: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[comanche12]

or get 9" ford rear like mine and its make my wheel look alot smaller on truck since the axle is alot wider :) :yes:

[87Warrior]

I have had a good experience with the SpiderTrax spacers on my TJ. I wanted to keep the factory Moabs with 35s.

 

As previously mentioned, hubcentric is the key to a safe spacer on a Jeep.

[streetjeep2.5]

Thanks for the input. Will shoot for the 1.25 spacers. BTW, its a 4x2 so no lift and 225/70R -15 tires. More a "cosmetic" than practical thing.