Wheel spacers opinions

[Robbsc10]

Hi, I have a 63 c10 and want to put a new set of wheels on. The bolt patern is 6 5.5 I have found a nice set of wheels, but the center hub bore is to small to fit on my truck, some one told me that you could fit a wheel spacer on the the hub, so it's flush with the lip on the hub, this means that I could fit any wheel I wanted now there is no lip,

If this makes sense I would like some opinions on this idea or if any one has done this

Thanks Robbb
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[jayoldschool]

Not a fan of spacers. You can get the wheels machined to open up the hub to the correct dimension (if they're aluminum). Or, buy the correct wheels.

[Robbsc10]

Thanks for the reply, trouble is I have found it real difficult to find a decent looking set of wheels for the truck. I don't really want to get a traditional set of wheels

Thanks
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[markeb01]

I am also not a fan of spacers, but living in the UK may not provide all that many choices. In the rear you could probably get away with a spacer 1/8”-1/4” which probably would create no problems. I’m not sure how thick the front would require however. And just about any spacer will require replacing the wheel studs with longer versions to retain enough safety margin for full engagement.

Also if thick spacers are needed on the front hubs, it may adversely affect the front end alignment.

[Robbsc10]

Can I ask why you are not a fan of using a small spacer.
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[markeb01]

My main objection to either spacers or adapters is it is introducing an unnecessary risk adding anything to a critical system that wouldn’t be needed if correctly fitting parts were available. Depending on who made the adapter and what it is made from, it could potentially be bent on a brake drum rivet, crack around the hub if it doesn’t seat perfectly before the wheel goes on, or crack anywhere on it’s surface because it wasn’t strong enough for the job. Any of these problems can eventually cause the lug nuts to loosen and cause the studs to fail.

And although they may be perfectly safe in the beginning, when they are old and belong to a new owner, he or she may not appreciate the need to fit them correctly and make sure they are torqued properly.

These are just my opinions. Others may have enjoyed years of service with spacers. It’s just that I spent many years scrounging through junk yards and saw broken wheel spacers and adapters, sheared lug studs, and even cheap aftermarket spoke wheels with the hub still bolted to the brake drum and the rest of the spokes and rim separated from the vehicle, which likely resulted in the wreck that sent the car to the junk yard.

[Robbsc10]

I am hoping to to use a big spacer, just enough to get the hub level and remove theat lip you have on the hub where the wheel sits on
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[tincan1966]

Originally Posted by markeb01

My main objection to either spacers or adapters is it is introducing an unnecessary risk adding anything to a critical system that wouldn’t be needed if correctly fitting parts were available. Depending on who made the adapter and what it is made from, it could potentially be bent on a brake drum rivet, crack around the hub if it doesn’t seat perfectly before the wheel goes on, or crack anywhere on it’s surface because it wasn’t strong enough for the job. Any of these problems can eventually cause the lug nuts to loosen and cause the studs to fail.

And although they may be perfectly safe in the beginning, when they are old and belong to a new owner, he or she may not appreciate the need to fit them correctly and make sure they are torqued properly.

These are just my opinions. Others may have enjoyed years of service with spacers. It’s just that I spent many years scrounging through junk yards and saw broken wheel spacers and adapters, sheared lug studs, and even cheap aftermarket spoke wheels with the hub still bolted to the brake drum and the rest of the spokes and rim separated from the vehicle, which likely resulted in the wreck that sent the car to the junk yard.

I agree and would like to add that saving money to buy cheap internet pieces is not a good idea. in my experience the best spacers are machined, and are not cheap. Foreign made cast aluminum ones seem to fail more frequently, I have even seem them crack when first installed while torqueing the lug nuts. Also cast spacers may or may not be completely true and could add run-out or a wobble to the wheel while driving.

Just my opinion, I was in a similar situation with some wheels I acquired and wanted to use on our '65. But I needed 1 1/2 " spacers in the rear(none in the front) and after researching, decided not to spend $125 on good adapters, but find wheels, with correct offset. I was going to be adding rolling mass anyway by going to 20's and thought that extra spacing may not be a good idea on 7/16" lug nut studs. I have no proof that it is a bad idea, was just my thought.

[Robbsc10]

he is a pic of what i am dealing with and trying to find a wheel that fits

[theastronaut]

Quality bolt-on hubcentric spacers aren't dangerous. They're quite popular with the "hellaflush" and "stance" guys to get the wheels out to the edge of the fender, and to change lug patterns. You will probably have to find a spacer company that can custom make spacers to fit your hub. Double check the torque after driving it and you'll be good. We have a '06 Trailblazer SS and are thinking about using 1" bolt on spacers to get the wheels out flush with the fender edges.

[jayoldschool]

That's not a spacer, that's an adapter. Not dangerous if built correctly. They are usually machined from 6051. I have a set on my 95 Impala SS. Note those ones are not hub centric (to the wheel), just lug centric. This puts all the force on the studs, not on the hub as GM designed.

Robbs, I would suggest measuring that rotor hat, and looking for wheels that match the hub bore dimension.

[theastronaut]

Yeah, I just found that pic with a quick google search. They are available with a ring if needed tho. Those kept the same bolt pattern so they're considered spacers.
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[Dunenutt]

Looks like there is a lot of meat on that rotor, why not have that machined? Assuming that it fits over the small snout...