JL JOURNAL : SPACING OUT - How to Install Spidertrax Wheel Spacers

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
In a perfect world, running wheels with a lot of back spacing or one that are as close to factory as possible are really something you want to have. They'll help maintain your scrub radius, make it easier for you to steer and they'll even help prevent your ball joints and unit bearings from failing prematurely. Of course, this isn't always possible once you start modding your Jeep and install bigger tires and this is because you'll run into issues like rubbing of suspension components at a full turn and or at a full flex. New wheels with less back spacing would take care of this but they can cost a pretty penny and then there's the question of, what if you like the wheels that you already have?

Wheel spacers are what I would recommend and they're a great solution being that they're relatively affordable, super easy to install and they'll effectively reduce the amount of back spacing you have on your existing wheels. It is important to note that there are "wheel spacers" and then there are "high quality wheel spacers" that bolt on to your axles and then your wheels to them. The later is what I'm referring to and the prior, the kind that just get sandwiched in between your wheels and axles using the existing wheel studs, they are dangerous and should NOT be used. For me personally, I prefer to use Spidertrax wheel spacers because they're made out of 6061T6 aluminum and maybe more importantly, are made in the USA. The Spidertrax wheel spacers we bought (yes, we actually bought these with our own money) are made specifically for a Jeep JL Wrangler and that means they come in 5 on 5 bolt pattern, are 1.75" thick to ensure they'll clear the factory wheel studs and they come with 14mm studs. In this short video, you'll get to see just how easy they are to install and we hope that you'll find it to be helpful.


BUY Spidertrax Wheel Spacers: https://amzn.to/2ZXHxYd

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doubletapdaddy

Caught the Bug
Nice video. I've never had wheel spacers in hand, but those things look like high-quality. My question is unrelated... Why the hell am I still using spline drive lug nuts on my KMC Wheels? I especially hate needing a key. Are you aware of any alternatives?
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Nice video. I've never had wheel spacers in hand, but those things look like high-quality. My question is unrelated... Why the hell am I still using spline drive lug nuts on my KMC Wheels? I especially hate needing a key. Are you aware of any alternatives?

:cheesy: I hate them too and really, only using them because they came with my wheels. On Moby, I moved over to standard lug nuts and ones that are long. They're also narrow and made for a 3/4" socket too. I think I'll have to see if I can find something similar for a 14mm stud.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Great video and great product.

Thank you. I should have noted that we have used a non-Spidertrax spacer in the past and quickly found why you should ONLY use Spidertrax. It really is a good product and well worth the money.
 

JTCO

Meme King
Thank you. I should have noted that we have used a non-Spidertrax spacer in the past and quickly found why you should ONLY use Spidertrax. It really is a good product and well worth the money.

Been there myself, sadly. Sucks spending money twice, but you live and learn.
 

CalSgt

Member
Does putting the T case in 4wd work for those of us that don't have a PR44? Or does the FAD work even if the ignition is off?
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Been there myself, sadly. Sucks spending money twice, but you live and learn.

Bummer you had to find out the hard way too. Live and learn for sure.

Looks good. I like the wider look.

Me too :yup:

Does putting the T case in 4wd work for those of us that don't have a PR44? Or does the FAD work even if the ignition is off?

Yes. At least, I'm pretty sure. When in 4WD, it should still lock.
 

Jeeeep

Member
will be curious to see how the hub handles this.

Is there any difference between JK and JL hubs other than the stud bolts?
 

tonygiotta

New member
I've been following along and was curious if just switching to the 12.5's was going to alleviate the clearance issues with the new coilovers. So at this point with 4.75" BS wheels minus the 1.75" for the spacers, you're sitting at 3" BS now. Is that going to do the trick? Is it too much/little? I also noticed your rear reservoirs have gone into hiding. Assuming that was due to tire clearance issues as well?... Just trying to figure out the right width/BS combo for an eventual upgrade to 37x12.5's. BTW, I'm currently running the same Spidertrax spacers you just installed, but with metric 35's on my factory wheels. As much as I'm not a fan of spacers, the Spidertrax at least made my Jeep streetable after installing my coilovers, and they are some quality spacers for sure!
 

tonygiotta

New member
Sorry, I see you kind of addressed this question in S#!T Just Got Real 2, but would still be curious to hear your thoughts now that you've had the combo for a couple of weeks. :D
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
will be curious to see how the hub handles this.

Is there any difference between JK and JL hubs other than the stud bolts?

Do you mean the unit bearings? If so, they look similar but I don't know if they're the same.

I've been following along and was curious if just switching to the 12.5's was going to alleviate the clearance issues with the new coilovers. So at this point with 4.75" BS wheels minus the 1.75" for the spacers, you're sitting at 3" BS now. Is that going to do the trick? Is it too much/little? I also noticed your rear reservoirs have gone into hiding. Assuming that was due to tire clearance issues as well?... Just trying to figure out the right width/BS combo for an eventual upgrade to 37x12.5's. BTW, I'm currently running the same Spidertrax spacers you just installed, but with metric 35's on my factory wheels. As much as I'm not a fan of spacers, the Spidertrax at least made my Jeep streetable after installing my coilovers, and they are some quality spacers for sure!

Sorry, I see you kind of addressed this question in S#!T Just Got Real 2, but would still be curious to hear your thoughts now that you've had the combo for a couple of weeks. :D

As you've noticed, the rear reservoirs were relocated to help prevent rubbing when flexing. 3.5" is what EVO recommends for back spacing and so, 3" is more than enough to get the job done. If anything, it's more than is needed.

Spent some good time driving and wheeling this setup and so far, I LOVE it. :)
 

Cozdude

Guy with a Red 2-Door
Great video Cindy and Eddie! I just left a link to your video in another youtubers comments cause he installed spacer that were to small on his truck. He had to cut off some of the factory studs to mount his new wheels :grayno:
 

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