In need of 1" wheel spacers for bigger tires

[Mike]

When I did my Max IV, there was one company that was producing them with 7/16" studs but I paid alot for them. That company later went out of business so I faced this same issue as you on my Max II and this is why I ended up just drilling out the holes in the wheels. I didn't want to do it at first but it really isn't a big deal. I found a 1/2" stud that had the same knurl diameter as the 7/16" studs. This way, if you ever want to change you machine back to 7/16", you can. The hubs of your axles aren't affected. Also, if you want to put the wheels on another machine, just swap the studs out.

Perhaps contact them and ask to have yours with 7/16 studs in the hubs.

I was looking at doing this for my Max II but after contacting a couple of companies that are manufacturing spacers, the cost to make them was ridiculous. If I remember correctly, the cheapest I could find was in the $400 or $450 range. Another reason I went with the 1/2" studs instead. Not saying you won't find them cheaper but it's not easy.

[Surfer Dude]

Well tires are supposed to be in either today or tomorrow. Already have rims waiting for them. I should be able to test fit one right away and make sure that 1" spacer will be enough.

Didn't I read in another post that CBASS had just bought the spacers like I posted and removed the 1/2"-20 studs and installed 7/16"-20 studs in the aluminum spacer that he had bought at napa? wouldn't that be the easiest? or would the spacers not work right because the holes my studs on my axle go into would be to large? I don't know. Maybe i'm over thinking this way to much. lol

on any note I did make myself a form out of wood to start modifying body yesterday. So far so good.

[Surfer Dude]

Well I have had nothing but problems with fedex losing my first set of tires and getting the run around from them and what not. But 2 of them finally arrived yesterday out of one warehouse and the other 7 should be here by the end of the week. But got one on a rim last night by hand. All I can say is HOLY CRAP it took almost an hour with them stiff sidewalls and Matt O rims to get one tire mounted..... and took 36lbs of air and a hammer to get the beads to seat. Don't think I'm going to have any issues debeading a tire haha. Going to run to a buddies shop after work today to use his tire machine for the other one I have to see if I can mount it without hurting bead.....

Anyways to my point..... Main reason for this post was about the 1" wheel spacers I need. Well come to find out the new Matt O 9" beadlock rims actually do have 1/2" holes in them already. So the original spacers with the 1/2"-20 studs I looked at will work. I will just have to try and figure out how to bolt spacers to origianl hub as the hub has 7/16"-20 studs but will be going into a hole made for 1/2"-20 studs so it will be sloppy fit. Or i'll have to buy tapered lugnuts probably. Any ides?

[Mike]

You should knock the 7/16" studs out of your hub and replace them with 1/2" studs. That isn't a bad job even with the axles on the machine. Just put an old lug nut on the stud and hit that with a hammer to knock them out. Then use the lug nut to pull the studs back in when you install the new studs.

There are 1/2" studs available with the same knurl diameter as the 7/16" studs. This will allow you to replace them in your hubs without having to drill them. If you ever wanted to switch back, you could do that. I believe I posted the part number or at least the knurl diameter for the studs in one of the other threads. You can search for that or find them at your local NAPA by taking in one that you knock out.

[Joe H]

Why couldn't you use 1/2 grade 8 bolts as fasteners for the wheel spacers?

[Surfer Dude]

Well the spacers and the 7/16"-20 acorn style lugnuts i bought came in and all tires were mounted on rims and body has been reformed so only thing to do was to just go ahead and mount them up. everything worked just fine. didn't have to change studs in anythings. The rims have a just over 1/2" hole so the spacers worked great with the lugnuts they came with. and the extra lug nuts i bought for bolting the spacers to the hubs also worked out great. Got everything through Titan wheel accesories on EBay. Everything worked great. Took machine for small ride and boy do them GBC gators dig some mud. DOnt seem to swim quite like the 22" rawhides but I rarely swim anyways so I dont mind. I will post up some pictures soon as I get some good shots