Spidertrax Off-Road Jeep JK Wrangler
Wheel Spacers & Adapters

October 14, 2006 wayoflife Jeep JK New Products 170

Spidertrax Wheel Spacers & Adapters for Jeep JK WranglersSo here’s the dilema.  You’ve just bought a brand new 2007 Jeep JK Wrangler and now you’re wanting to install a set of bigger tires on it.  Only problem is, the factory wheels that come on the JK Wranglers have 6.25″ of back spacing and depending on how wide the tires you want to install are, you’ll most likely have some rubbing problems at a full turn up front and a good chance that you’ll get some rubbing of the side walls on the rear sway bar as well.

Typically, your best option would be to get a set of new wheels that have less back spacing on them.  However, with the new and uncommon 5×5 bolt pattern that Jeep decided to use on the new Jeep JK Wranglers, you’re left with a slim selection of wheels to choose from.  Of course, this is to say nothing about the people out there who love the look of the factroy aluminum wheels and would prefer to keep them.  What is one to do?

Well, thanks to Spidertrax Off Road and the high quality wheel spacers and adapters they are making for the new Jeep JK Wrangler, you now have options to choose from.  For those of you who want to run bigger tires on your factory wheels, Spidertrax is now manufacturing a set of 1.5″ wheels spacers that will effectively reduce the amount of backspacing your factory wheels have to 4.75″.  And, for those of you who are looking to install a set of aftermarket wheels but would love to take advantage of all the other wheel designs available out there, Spidertrax is now also manufacturing a set of 1.375″ wheel adapters that will convert your existing 5×5 bolt pattern to a more common 5×4.5 or 5×5.5 bolt pattern.  Need I say, both the wheel spacers and wheel adapters will give you more than enough room to install a nice big tire like a 33×12.50 or bigger… depending on the amount of suspension lift you have of course.

All Spidertrax wheel spacers and wheel adapters have a wheel and hub centric design, are made out of 6061 T6 anodized blue aluminum for corrosion resistance and come with pre-installed wheel studs, lugnuts, and Red Loctite.

Eddie

Special Thanks: I would like to thank Spidertrax and Northridge4x4 for providing this exclusive press release.

FYI: Spidertrax Jeep JK Wrangler wheel spacers and adapters can be purchased at Northridge4x4 and Quadratec.

50 Comments

  1. Hey, Looking forward to building up my new rubicon that will arrive in about a month i just ordered it. Its a 2 door jk.rubicon. In green. Im sure i’ll be getting your wheel spacers. Thanks for not waiting on after market goodys. I’ll send you a picture of it when it comes in. *CANT WAIT* Drew Niles

  2. Thanks for the info I just got my 4 door JK and love it I was attmepting to put on my wheels off my 04 TJand found the dilemma. I contacted my tire and my jeep dealers and neither had the info you have in this article thanks.

  4. I have a 2007 jk 4 dr and I am going to put the 2.5 budget boost by teraflex on. I want to run 33inch tires on there and I am not sure what the deal with back spacing is.I was thinking about going with differnt wheels and if so what type of back spacing is required so I wont rub my tires or if you could eplanin that would be great thanks alot out of Baumholder GE

  5. Yes, all JK wheels have 6.25″ back spacing. As far as what you will need to prevent rubbing, well, that would all depend on how wide of a tire you are planning to run. If it’s a 33×10.50, you won’t need anything. If it’s a 33×12.50, then, I would probably say you need 5.5″ of back spacing or less. 🙂

    Eddie

  8. My problem is opposite of what is stated in the article. I have acquired a new set of 2007 rims & tires but can’t find an adapter to go from 5 on 4.5 to the new pattern 5 on 5. I need this to put the new 2007 wheels on my 1995 YJ. When will these be marketed, since I am ssuming the reason I can’t find any is because the 2007 pattern is so new. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP>.

  9. just got a x model jk, with the 16″ rims, do you happen to know if 285/75R16’s will rub? i think it comes out to 33×11.50

  10. My Sahara is about to arrive, I’m planning on adding 33×13.5×18 on some M/T Classic II wheels w/ and lifting it 3.5 inches… do you think I’ll still need spacers?

  11. Hi Chris,
    Depending on how much or how little back spacing you have now, you might see a little rubbing on the flares at a full stuff.

    Hey Ted,
    You know, you might want to reconsider your 33’s as 3.5″ of lift will give you plenty of room to clear 35’s. As far as wheel spacers go, you’ll only need them if your new wheels have too much backspacing.

    Eddie

  12. Thanks Eddie, I’ll consider the 35s over the 33s. Either way, looks like with the Mickie Thompson Classic IIs, I’ll still need the adapters since the JK has 5×5 bolt pattern. Would you suggest going from 5×5 to 5×4.5 or 5×5.5 adapter? Bigger the tire, bigger the adapter? Or does it really matter?

  13. I’m looking into the M/T Classic II’s in the 17×9 with 5X5 and 5 inch backspacing. Is it possible to run the 285/75R17’s without lifting my 2007 X two door at all?
    I have been looking into 2 and 3 inch lifts but would rather not lift it if possible.
    I may just run it and see what problems I run into!

  14. Hi Ted, I would probably recommend going with 5×5 to 5×5.5’s as they are more common and you’ll have an easier time finding wheels for them.

    Hey George, you know, I’d be willing to bet that you could run 285’s with just a set of .75″ spacers up front. The rear of your JK is probably tall enough now and the front leveled out should give you enough room too.

    Eddie

  15. My question is:
    My 4 Dr 2007 Sahara came with 18″ wheels and I have a set of 32×10.5×15 from my 2004 Wrangler X with a 2″ lift and I want to know if I purchase the spacers will I need to put a lift on my jeep

  16. Eddie, I took your advice and went for the 35 tires along with my 3.5 inch lift. I also added the 5×5.5 adapters per your suggestion too. All together w/ the Mickey Thompson Classic IIs look fantastic. The dealer was hesitant to use 35 tires, but it made his other efforts look wimpy. Thanks for the suggestions, I’ve added my photos in the MyProject-JK.com, under tedinlb.

  17. Hi Homer, if you want to put on wheels/tires from your TJ onto your JK, you will need to get a set of “wheel adapters” and not just spacers. The TJ has a 5×4.5 bolt pattern and the JK has 5×5. Otherwise, no, you should not need any lift.

    Hey Ted, I’m glad to hear everything worked out for you 🙂

    Eddie

  18. I have a 07 JK with 255/70/R18 and I am going with 35/12.50/18. the difference in with is 2.68′. will i need spacers?

  20. I have the 4 dr jk I have put a 2.5 sky jacker kit on there and I have bought 16 by 8 wheels with 5 inches of back space. what is the widest tire I can put on a 8 inch wide wheel. thanks

  22. hey thanks alot I will post the pics as soon as the tires get on the jeep in about 4 days

  23. I wonder if there’s a safety issue with spacers or adapters?That would be great for a wider variety of wheel choice.I am having hard time locating 5x5s.I’m located in Detroit metro area.Thanks again Eddie.

  24. Hi Len, so long as you install them properly and check them from time to time, there are absolutely no safety issues with high quality wheel spacers like Spidertrax makes.

    Eddie

  25. Have you guys had any problem with the piece of the body that sticks into the wheel well in the rear on the unlimited.I am putting 315 75r 16 and I might have to nip it off what do you think.

    thanks

  26. I haven’t had any problems but then I have a Full Traction 3″ Ultimate Lift on my JK. Need I say, it has adjustable control arms and I was able to make the adjustments that I needed to prevent it.

    Eddie

  27. Hey Eddie,

    My name is Toph,
    I have a 2004 Jeep Laredo, and I am new to the world of off roading, and my brother inlaw just baught the 2dr wrangler rubicon and I am buying the Jeep JK 4Door Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I want to install the TeraFlex 2.5 Budget Boost. On the TeraFlex Website it offers The BB with Shocks, or with Adaptors…. What is the difference, what should I get??
    Also I am looking to buy 35″ tires, I am not too sure I understand the whole back spacing system. Could you briefly explain what and how it works.

    Thanks,
    -Toph, Cambridge,MA

  28. Hi Toph,
    If you can afford it, new longer shocks is the better way to go but if you’re a little tight on cash, the shock extensions will work just fine too. Also, since you have a Rubicon, with extensions, your ride will be exactly the same as it was stock.

    Back spacing it the measured distance from the mounting surface of your wheel to the back edge of it. Factory wheels come with 6.25″ of back spacing and this keeps your tires nicely tucked under your fenders. However, if you install bigger/wider wheels, you will experience rubbing problems in multiple locations and this can only be fixed by install new wheels with less back spacing (i.e. 4.75″ or less) or install 1.5″ wheel spacers (effectively making your factory back spacing 4.75″) as this will push your tires further out from the body/frame of your Jeep and give you the clearance you need. Does this make sense?

    Eddie

  29. I’m sorry for this being a little off-subject (and so long), but there seem to be many people purchasing new JK’s then immediately purchasing new tires & wheels. Does everyone out there have thousands of dollars laying around to allow them to replace tires and wheels (that are brand new…) or is there a way to “trade-in and trade-up” with local tire shops/dealers? What do people typically do with their stock tires and wheels? Sell them on Ebay…? I just purchased a new JK Unlimitted Sahara and it came with 18″ wheels. (Which I’m not really crazy about. They look good, but 18″ tires cost more and there isn’t a large variety out there…) I’m interested in doing a 2″/2.5″ boost and I am reluctant to leave it with the stock tires, but my budget doesn’t allow for a complete replecement. Any suggestions…? Thanks!

  31. I posted a question here last night…now it’s gone 🙁 My question was, can I run 10.5’s on the stock painted steel 7″ rims that came with my JK? I’m currently running 235/85R16s. I’d like to go wider…can I on a 7″ rim width?

  32. I have a 2004 jeep wrangler with factory 15 inch wheels. What would it take to install the current 17 inch rubicon rims and wheels with the 5 x 5 pattern onto my 5 x 4.5 hub.

  33. Hope you haven’t answered this already, but I wanted to get an opinion from somebody that’s not trying to upsell me. I just got a 2007 Wrangler X. I’ve been looking at a set of 16×8 Eagle Alloys with 4″ backspacing and -11mm offset. Can I run 265/75-16 AT tires without having any rubbing or needing to do use spacers or a lift? I plan on installing the 2″ Skyjacker budget boost. Should I do the lift first and then the tires or vice versa? The budget only allows me to do one at a time.

  34. Hi Joe, you will be fine running 10.50’s on your factory 7″ wheels.

    Keith, you would need to get a set of wheel “adapters” that converts your bolt pattern.

    Arlie, if you get those wheels with it’s 4″ of back spacing, you will not have any rubbing issues and will not need additional spacers.

    Eddie

  35. First, thanks Eddie for all the information, it’s very helpful.

    I am looking at a 20×10 rims (5×5.5 bolt pattern) with 4.5″ of backspacing. The tires are 35 x 12.50 tires (possibly 13.5) for my JK unlimited. Will just the adapter be sufficient and can I get away with a 2.5″ lift–is that enough?

    Clint

  36. Sorry just wanted to add to the post above–the backspacing is negative 24MM of backspacing. Perhaps I don’t need the spacer at all?

  37. Hey Eddie,

    Will I have to install a bigger stronger spare tire holder, or will I get by with the stock one, considering the weight of the 35″ tires???

    Deer Valley looked like it was a lot of fun, nice pictures!!!

    – Toph

  38. Eddie, you are the man!
    Have you (or anybody) seen pictures of a JK w/ a 3/4 spacer lift, 285/70 on a 17″ factory alloy and 1.5 wheel spacers. I dont do alot of wheelin’ but I do want a bigger tire. (my.project-jk ZoSo-Green)

  39. Hi Toph, I have seen a few guys carry a 35″ tire okay but I personally would recommend getting a bumper tire carrier as the stresses placed on the factory carrier and tail gate will be significant.

    Hey Erik, while I don’t have any pics, I have seen this setup in person and can tell you that it can be done. However, if you do go wheeling, you most likely will experience rubbing issues.

    Eddie

  40. i have a new jk sahara unlimeted,i want to use aftermarket rims with my stock tires for now ,255/75/-17 so what spacers would i need if any with a set of aftermarket rims?and what width rim should i get?

  41. I just got an JK Unlimited X and want to know if i can replace the stock tyres with 33″ without any lift. And would i get away with 35 on a 2″ BB.

  42. Hi bill hoe, yes you can install 33’s without any lift but you will see rubbing on the trail. As far as 35’s on a 2″ BB goes, the same applies.

    Eddie

  44. Need? No. Should? Yes. Without new gears, you’re Jeep will feel like it’s lost a lot of power and if you have a 2-door, the amount of lift required to clear 35’s will put your rear drive shaft at a very steep angle and you will want to replace this with a double cardin u-joint style shaft and adjustable upper rear control arms so that you can set your pinion angle.

    Eddie

  45. I just bought a 2007 2door x wrangler, I love this jeep but would someday like to put bigger tires on it. It came with factory 17″ rims ,255/75/r17 tires and heavy duty suspension with gas shocks. If I keep the factory rims whats the biggest tires I can get away with?

  46. I have a 2007 JK 4door Sahara and just bought 2″ spacer kit with shocks, ProComp 7089 17×8 with 4.5 back spacing and ProComp Extreme A/T 305/65R17. Do you think I will run into any problems with rubbing? The tire come out to be: Diameter= 32.6, SectionWidth= 12, Section Height= 7.8. Thanks, Chad

  47. i have a stock 4 door jk x and just bought a set of 33×12.5 x17 tires and i want to get a set of rims, can i install these on my jeep with out having to add any kind of lift to it and what is the best back spacing i should get for my rims so they will not rub. if i have to get a lift what would you say i should get that would not leave me broke.

  48. Hi Hunter, with factory wheels, you should stick with a tire that is no more than 10.50… maybe 11.50 wide at most.

    Hi Chad, with 4.5″ of BS, you will not have any issues.

    Hi Ray, with 33″ tires, you should be able to run them without a lift but you will have rubbing issues on the trail. As far as BS goes, you will want to install 1.5″ wheel spacers like these or get new wheels with about 5″ of BS or less.

    Eddie

  49. Thanks Eddie its great to have a site like this and people like you to take the time to help and advise us beginners keep up the good work.

    Thanks Ray

  50. I am new to off road. I just bought an 08 2 dr Wrangler X with stock 16 inch wheels sporting P225/75R16 tires. I love this ride but the tires look whimpy. My son has an 07 Wrangler Unlimited four door. It has 17 inch wheels. Can I take his wheels and put them on my 08 2 door? If so what is the widest tire that I can mount on that wheel without any other modifications. (cash is tight) If not what are the widest tires that I can mount on the wheels that my X came with?

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