1/8" Spacer or New Wheels?

[77CaliC10]

Hey everyone,

I ran into an issue during my build and figured that this would be the best place for solid guidance... I have a 1977 C10 with a 4/6 McGaughys drop. The problem I am having is the new wheels (US Mag U101 slots in 15x8, with 4" BS) are hitting the spindle at the tie rod connection. The wheel is just barely unable to fully seat against the rotor (3/16" washers correct the issue). I am stuck, wheel shop told me they cant get the wheel with a 3.75" BS, I'm concerned the wheel will hit the tie rod if I grid the nub that is making contact now, and I have heard negative things about running spacers (even at only an 1/8")... Is it time to reconsider my wheels? I bought these because it seems that most people are running this size/BS combination... Maybe its time to think bigger... Thanks in advance!

[mongocanfly]

funny you post this today...I just got a set of us mag 8x16 wheels with 5.25 bs ,and they almost hit the tie-rod end as well...just like yours...it is very close but it clears..if it becomes a problem im going with a 1/8 spacer...my wheels arnt hub centric so I don't think it will hurt a thing...lots of people run spacers with no issues..and a lot more than 1/8"

[wilkin250r]

If you go with spacers, just make sure you get enough engagement on those lugs. You're going to want about 7 full turns.

I'm not going to be a doomsday prophet. "If you only have 6 turns, you're going to die!!!" But every turn you're missing just increases your risk that much more.

[77CaliC10]

Is it possible to get a hub-centric 1/8" spacer? I've found lots of larger (1-2.5") bolt on style hub-centric, but I'm assuming this will be more of a shim, but I would still like it to be hub-centric if possible. Maybe it doesn't matter when its that thin.

[mongocanfly]

are the 101s h-c? if so how much contact does the wheel make to the hub center

[Dads79GMC]

I have 7" Rally's up front, with 4" BS and they clear w/McGaughy's spindles. However, my 8" Rally's did not and they have 4.25" BS, thus the reason I had to switch to sevens. When getting the tires/wheels balanced, I had them use stick-on weight vs. the ones that attach to the edge of the rim.

I'm surprised the 4" BS are that close. I did attempt 1/4" spacers, but didn't go with it??

Thanks Mike

[77CaliC10]

I haven't used a micrometer, but a rough tape measurement shows the wheel bore and hub to both be 3 inches, so I am assuming some contact. But, it raises a good point, I am not sure if those wheels were meant to be hub-centric. It does not state on their site, but as far as I am aware most aftermarket wheels are lug-centric. They do have a conical seat for the lug nuts. With the wheel sitting 2-3/16 off the face of the rotor, and I can get 6-3/4 full turns out of the stock stud/lug nut. I am sure a 1/4-1/2 (if not more) turn would happen upon torquing.