Stud-less wheel spacer advice

[Leadfootdriver]

Let me start with saying that I am not a fan of wheel spacers in general, but I am about to install a 2.5" leveling kit and 295/70r18 Michelin's on my factory sport 18's and want a little more space between upper control arm as well as a little more poke.
I have seen many people use the 1/4" wheel spacers without problem but now im seeing 1/2" (12mm) wheel spacers that they claim dont need longer studs (I've watched the American Trucks video but they also try to make as many sales as possible if you know what I mean). Curious if anybody has ran them and if you truly think they are safe to run with factory wheels (how many turns the lug nuts get).

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[Big Dog Daddy]

I personally don't like the idea of wheel spacers. Although the studs my be long enough, the problem I see is that the machined center of the factory wheel will nolonger be engaged with the machined diameter on the vehicles hub. You are then entrusting the studs to support the weight of the vehicle for which they were never intended to do. Additionally because your now using the studs to do the job of centering the wheel, this could cause concentricity issues and vibration. Once you introduce these problems this will only work the wheel studs and nuts even harder. If you tow a trailer this will also introduce additional problems. So

 

[Buyer2021]

.... they claim dont need longer studs ....

That's not true for the Amazon product you cite (<link to listing page)

In spite of the 'installation graphic' showing 'stock wheel bolts'

(WTF, does your truck use 'wheel bolts' as shown in that silly graphic?? No, it uses nuts on wheel studs!), scroll down on the linked listing page to read:

Important Information​

Please verify the bolt count, bolt circle diameter, center bore, and bolt size match your vehicle before ordering.​

This is 12mm wheel spacer, to mount the rims safely, it needs the stock studs are 12mm long extraly. If not, you need to replace them to longer ones.​

We don't recommend to install the bolt nuts by electronic tool, it is best by manual.​

No returns or exchanges once they have been installed.​

​

It's a typically crappy and confusing translation ("extraly"!?!) but the line I highlighted with bold underlined italics above is your warning that the studs need to be longer than stock by the amount of the thickness of the spacer.

I also agree with the comments by @Big Dog Daddy regarding forfeiture of the hub-centric mounting 'lip' ..... a really proper spacer will be machined steel (not aluminum) with a correct close-fitting hub-centric recess on the backside and corresponding hub-centric lip on the outside to continue the hub-centric feature through the spacer.

Let me start with saying that I am not a fan of wheel spacers in general ....

IMO you should keep that prudent thought and avoid this product.

 

[Leadfootdriver]

IMO you should keep that prudent thought and avoid this product.
[/QUOTE]

You both have very good points and its very much appreciated! I tow very mildly with this truck until my 1999 F150 bites the dust. I agree and not going to buy them.

 

[Leadfootdriver]

UPDATE: I have the 2.5" supreme suspensions leveling kit installed with the 295/70r18 michelins and Im loving it! No rubbing and No trimming at all! The rear is just a tad bit higher than the front (I have max tow package). And this is without any wheel spacers.
Im the type to have big aggressive mud tires but as Im getting older/more mature I decided to go a different route and I wouldnt change a thing. Smooth and quiet as can be with the E rated street tires. I did have to Road Force match a couple of them but worth it to me! Those stock Goodyears were horrible even after I balanced them multiple times!

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

UPDATE: I have the 2.5" supreme suspensions leveling kit installed with the 295/70r18 michelins and Im loving it! No rubbing and No trimming at all! The rear is just a tad bit higher than the front (I have max tow package). And this is without any wheel spacers.
Im the type to have big aggressive mud tires but as Im getting older/more mature I decided to go a different route and I wouldnt change a thing. Smooth and quiet as can be with the E rated street tires. I did have to Road Force match a couple of them but worth it to me! Those stock Goodyears were horrible even after I balanced them multiple times!

What tint setup you rocking, looks great against leadfoot!

 

[Leadfootdriver]

What tint setup you rocking, looks great against leadfoot!

Ceramic tint I went with what they call "metered 5" because of the factory privacy glass on the rear. It was 5% on the 2 front side windows, 20% on the 2 rear side windows and rear windshield, and 35% on the front windshield. I love it

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