Pics: Wheel Spacers + No Lift

[NickyV]

Anyone running wheel spacers on 235 75R 15s with no lift?

 

If so, can you share pics?
 

I’m not sure I want to lift my MJ. But if I do, it won’t be for a while. Too many other projects to tackle first.

 

But I am considering wheel spacers. 

 

Not looking for anything crazy. I mainly want to fix that narrow butt look and gain a more aggressive stance that extends just a hair wider than fender flares.

 

At least I think that’s what I want. But I am having trouble visualizing this. So if any of you have an MJ that fits the bill and could share pics, I’d be much obliged.

[fiatslug87]

On my 90 2WD with 2” spacers, no lift and BFG ATs 235/75/15. Tire not even with top of flare.

 

[89 MJ]

I will say, spacers on the rear do look better, but before you make that decision, I think you should know why the rear axle is narrower than the front. 

When you go around a corner, a narrower rear axle does a better job following the front and allows for tighter turns. A wider rear axle means that the rear tires will be outside of the fronts, possibly getting closer to obstacles. The rear axle is narrower for handling reasons.

 

With the relatively small spacers you'd want, you're probably not talking much difference, but just making you aware. 

[ghetdjc320]

2 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

I will say, spacers on the rear do look better, but before you make that decision, I think you should know why the rear axle is narrower than the front. 

When you go around a corner, a narrower rear axle does a better job following the front and allows for tighter turns. A wider rear axle means that the rear tires will be outside of the fronts, possibly getting closer to obstacles. The rear axle is narrower for handling reasons.

 

With the relatively small spacers you'd want, you're probably not talking much difference, but just making you aware. 

I suspect AMC wanted to reuse the same pile of Dana 35’s they already had in stock for other vehicles vs spec’ing the correct size for our trucks.

[NickyV]

Thanks to all who have replied. For some reason I didn’t realize that the back wheel base was actually narrower. I guess I thought I was something of an optical illusion. D’oh!
 

At any rate, I was thinking I’d put spacers on front and back. Appreciate the pics so far!

 

Anyone else got what I’m looking for?

 

@fiatslug87, do you have any other angles, like from the front?

[NickyV]

And @89 MJ that’s good to know. If I put equal spacing on front and back does that solve for what you are describing?

[89 MJ]

4 minutes ago, NickyV said:

And @89 MJ that’s good to know. If I put equal spacing on front and back does that solve for what you are describing?

Yes, that would solve the problem. But wheel spacers on the front tends to lead to it being harder on wheel bearings and ball joints. Same applies for wheels with a lot of backspacing. 
 

9 minutes ago, NickyV said:

Thanks to all who have replied. For some reason I didn’t realize that the back wheel base was actually narrower. I guess I thought I was something of an optical illusion. D’oh!

It’s a combination of both, really. 

[llhat]

personally do not see the need for spacers,  and as mentioned the change can make for different forces on the wheel bearings and ball joints.

 

Mine's pretty much dead stock it has had 3 sets of wheels,  original stock steel,  aftermarket aluminum with holes,  Mopar counter 'star' wheels, and now 

i think called canyon spokes.

the aftermarket aluminum had less backspacing, were on the truck when i bought it with 235 BFG KO ( back in the 1990's and steel were sent with the truck,

the mopar counter wheels had deep backspacing and i had 30 x 9.5 GSA goodyears,  the canyon have equal deep backspacing and back again to 235 Falken Rubitrek.

only rubbing issue was to the rear E brake cables,  zip tied helped.

i posted somewhere about the mopar wheel experience and having to drill the screw for the decorative cover over the lugs.. 

no pics, sorry.  device not handy with images of those wheels,  don't take a lot of pics of truck with the crappy no clear coat grey paint.

[Pete M]

the factory difference in axle width front to back is negligible and the effect on handling if they don't match perfectly is also negligible.  this might apply to a high end performance car (except that there have been plenty of performance cars that don't have matching widths), but certainly not our our old trucks.   

 

do as you see fit.   personally I'd add spacers to the rear only and get them to better match the front from a visual perspective.

[88towmanche]

Got spacers on mine - think maybe 1-1/2...have to look it up.

 

Technically there is a puck n shackle 2" lift with but the old saggy leafs & springs it's probably just a bit above factory height.

[ghetdjc320]

Here is a 1.25” front andapter along with a KJ liberty rear axle which is 2.5” wider in the rear plus a 3/4 wheel adapter. So basically rear is 2” further out in each side and front is 1.25. I have zero issues with this setup and a great turning radius.