Trail Sport wheel spacers...
Trail Sport wheel spacers are made from 6061 billet aluminum and are available in widths of 1.25 inches to 2 inches in any bolt pattern. Wheel spacers help create more space under the fenders for larger-than-stock tires.
Sometimes it takes more than a suspension system to properly fit larger-than-stock wheels and tires. Though we had previously installed a spring-over suspension to fit 35-inch tires and 15x10 wheels on a CJ-5 with wider-than-stock Dana 60 axles, we were still experiencing clearance issues when the steering was turned to full lock. Looking to get rid of this problem and improve the CJ's capability on the trail in the same step, we contacted Trail Sport to acquire a set of its quality aluminum wheel spacers.
We were sent a set of 1.25-inch-wide spacers from Trail Sport for use on our CJ-5 equipped with Rockcrusher Dana 60 axles. The Trail Sport spacers are made from 6061 billet aluminum and are available in widths of 1.25 inches to 2 inches in any bolt pattern.
The spacers are easily installed using basic handtools and can help recreate full lock-to-lock steering ability by positioning the wheels and tires farther outboard from the framerails and out from under the fenders. Trail Sport spacers increase the vehicle's overall track width, and turning radius is also improved since there is more clearance for the tires before they hit the framerails or leaf springs. Rear wheels also benefit due to the increased track width, but the spacers additionally afford more space for larger tires beneath the fenderwells.
The spacers will also allow use of some stock-style wheels that do not have enough backspacing. Although the wheels may fit with smaller tires, most tires wider than 12 inches will rub the framerails in turns when installed on stock wheels. Though we installed the spacers on a CJ-5, they can be used on any vehicle that requires increased clearance for larger-than-stock tires. Trail Sport spacers can also be used as wheel adapters to change from one bolt pattern to another.
A tape measure reveals that...
A tape measure reveals that the front tires are situated about 11 inches out from the framerail. We look forward to a better turning radius with the spacers in place.
Once the spacers are installed...
Once the spacers are installed on the stock wheel studs using the provided lug nuts, the wheels then secure to preinstalled studs on the spacers. After installing the spacers, we took a testdrive and then removed the wheels and retorqued the attachment bolts. We'll continue to check these bolts periodically to ensure that they don't loosen up.
With the Trail Sport spacers...
With the Trail Sport spacers in place and the wheel and tire installed, the tire is now situated 12.5 inches out from the framerail. This creates an ample degree of space for the tires to turn full lock without hitting the leaf springs or framerail.