He could buy 5 new properly backspaced rims for less than he could buy 4 of those spacers.
New rims is the answer IMHO.
Yeah, I was only thinking about the spacers at the time. It is a better idea to just go with new rims for the cost. Check out Eagle Alloy rims as well. We like them simply because they are aluminum (better balanced than steel in most cases, and don't rust) and they are cost effective (if you scratch one up wheeling, replacing it is not so steep). No matter what back spacing (4" is a good place to be), stick with a 15" rim and don't listen to the guys at the tire/wheel shops that tell you to use a 10" wide rim on 12.5" wide tires.
The 15" rim size gives you more options in tires with the right load range (C) for the Jeep. Most all 16" Dia. tires are a load range D or E, which is designed for a 1 ton truck. The result: thicker, stiffer side wall that rides rough and doesn't flex as well for traction when aired down off-road. As far as the rim width goes, you want to be at 8" wide for a 12.5" wide tire. The result: When you air down the wheel holds the tire bead better (you can air down more without loosing a bead/tire going flat) and the wheel is more recessed in the tire, so there is less chance of scraping it against a tight obstacle. I personally run the 35x
13.5x15 Toyo Open Country M/T's with still an 8" wide rim.
do those wheel spacers effect wheel bearings or axles (ie increase wear and tear)? thx
My XJ has been lifted and running 2" spacers for about a year now, giving me an effective backspacing of 2 1/2". I have lost one u-joint cap from both my driver and passenger side axle shafts. I have also had to replace my ball joints (they had 140,000 miles on them,though, and needed replaced anyway). I now have replaced my axle shafts in the front and tac-welded the u-joint caps. Because of the amount of time My Jeep has had this setup, it is not possible for me to say the spacers are the issue. If I have continued problems in this area, that will be cause for concern.
do you have an adjustable tracbar? if not, your front axle won't be centered, and could make it rub on one side.
Most definitely. With 3.5" of lift, an adj. track bar is a must for centering the axle/restoring the proper suspension geometry, and keeping the passenger side from rubbing, when turning, on control arms and the sway bar.