To spacer or not....?

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Old Mar 3, 2013 | 10:31 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by canucklehead
i had 20mm H&Rs when i was lowered on the prokit. worked great for me, although you could probably get away with 15mm i suppose.

make sure to torque evenly! always hand-torque with your torque wrench when using spacers.
Thanks for sharing...the pics really help.

Good advice on the torque method.

Originally Posted by 1SMOKEYG
Anyone have any vibration or other issues using spacers???
From my past experience with the FX's, as long as they are installed & torqued correctly there shouldn't be any problems.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 12:57 AM
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Should be receiving the B2Design spacers today...will share my results when I get them installed.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by dragion
Should be receiving the B2Design spacers today...will share my results when I get them installed.
Dragion, how about you share the progress while you install them? As well as the end results, I'd love to see some pictures and commentary on the end-2-end process.

You've got this thread here, might as well document it, eh?
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 08:06 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by dragion
What were you drop on and how much lower were you than the Swifts?

Any idea if I would experience this issue with the 20mm spacers?

Thanks!
Little late to reply but~
I was on B&G S2 springs, tires were about 1/4" under fender lip, about a
2 1/8"" drop. You should have a much easier time w/ your Swifts.
This pic is without the spacer, I didn't take any spacer pics as I didn't keep them on more than a couple hours
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 03:57 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Dragion, how about you share the progress while you install them? As well as the end results, I'd love to see some pictures and commentary on the end-2-end process.

You've got this thread here, might as well document it, eh?
I'll see what I can do.
Spacer came in today, but Mother Nature has put a dampening on us here in New England...more *&%#in' snow!

There really isn't anything to it, but to bolt on the spacers and then bolt the wheels onto the spacer...making sure everything is torqued down correctly.

Here is a video of B2Design installing the spacers:


Will be bringing it to RW&T on Saturday and John will install them then.
I'll take some detail pics of the install.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by blnewt
Little late to reply but~
I was on B&G S2 springs, tires were about 1/4" under fender lip, about a
2 1/8"" drop. You should have a much easier time w/ your Swifts.
This pic is without the spacer, I didn't take any spacer pics as I didn't keep them on more than a couple hours
Never too late for some informative help
Thanks for sharing.

I would think with the 17mm spacer installed it would rub...?
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by dragion
There really isn't anything to it, but to bolt on the spacers and then bolt the wheels onto the spacer...making sure everything is torqued down correctly.
This design, yeah, sure is simple enough for a blind monkey with a torque wrench.

So... there's enough clearance for the OEM studs against the back of the OEM Sport Rims? Obviously you've researched this, so that's probably a dumb question.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 06:14 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by Rochester
This design, yeah, sure is simple enough for a blind monkey with a torque wrench.

So... there's enough clearance for the OEM studs against the back of the OEM Sport Rims? Obviously you've researched this, so that's probably a dumb question.
Simple and effective.
On my FX I had 20mm spacers that would require to remove and replace the bolts with the supplied extended ones from H&R, but after researching I decided that going with the one piece attached bolt spacers will be the ideal set up for me on the G...at the end of the lease, it will be easier to remove.

Clearance shouldn't be an issue...everything should be a nice fit.
No question is dumb!
If questions weren't asked, then there wouldn't be any answers.
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 06:23 PM
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Thanks, dragion.

I know you ordered the 20mm spacers, but did you figure out what the minimum thickness is that you can go with this direct bolt-on design, and still have clearance with the OEM studs behind the rim? Is it 15mm?
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Thanks, dragion.

I know you ordered the 20mm spacers, but did you figure out what the minimum thickness is that you can go with this direct bolt-on design, and still have clearance with the OEM studs behind the rim? Is it 15mm?
I believe the thinnest bolt on spacers are indeed 15mm.

Dragion, should be happy w/ the bolt-ons, simple install and removal. Just be sure to re-check torque after 500 miles or so.
I had 15mm in front, 17mm in rear. Like I said the front tires were rubbing too often so they were sold the next day
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 09:23 PM
  #26  
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Now you guys have me researching spacers for my OEM duckfeet. (sigh) Honestly, I never gave it too much consideration, because I mostly assumed it was all about looks. And a minor effort at that, mostly applicable to dropped cars so the tires don't look so tucked.

But now I'm reading about handling benefits of a slightly modified stance, and I'm intrigued. Particularly for something that's so effortless to mod with this hub-centric design.
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Old Mar 8, 2013 | 12:04 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Thanks, dragion.

I know you ordered the 20mm spacers, but did you figure out what the minimum thickness is that you can go with this direct bolt-on design, and still have clearance with the OEM studs behind the rim? Is it 15mm?
Originally Posted by blnewt
I believe the thinnest bolt on spacers are indeed 15mm.

Dragion, should be happy w/ the bolt-ons, simple install and removal. Just be sure to re-check torque after 500 miles or so.
I had 15mm in front, 17mm in rear. Like I said the front tires were rubbing too often so they were sold the next day
Correct.
15mm is the minimum size spacer that will fit the stock G's 18" Sport wheel aka "duckfeet"...not quite sure about OEM 17" wheels, but should.
Project Kics do make a 10mm bolt on spacer, but it's not hub centric and might cause the OEM bolts to contact/touch the inner wheel.

Judging from your previous set up, mine with the Swifts should be fine...thanks!

Originally Posted by Rochester
Now you guys have me researching spacers for my OEM duckfeet. (sigh) Honestly, I never gave it too much consideration, because I mostly assumed it was all about looks. And a minor effort at that, mostly applicable to dropped cars so the tires don't look so tucked.

But now I'm reading about handling benefits of a slightly modified stance, and I'm intrigued. Particularly for something that's so effortless to mod with this hub-centric design.
Think about it this way...why would anyone consider going with a wider wheel/tire combination?
Answer: better performance/handling on dry road surfaces.

I'm not a Scientist or know anything technically regarding this matter, but I think by widening the stance, it should increase the stability of the vehicle.
Plus, even in snowy climates the width of the tire is still the same...just further apart, so it has no worse effect in the snow.
Just my $.02
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Old Mar 8, 2013 | 09:14 AM
  #28  
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Are you expecting to observe a change in any particular handling characteristic?
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Old Mar 8, 2013 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Rochester
Are you expecting to observe a change in any particular handling characteristic?
Not in particular...maybe less body roll.
There might be a difference in ride quality too, since the stance is wider.

I will have wait and see.
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Old Mar 9, 2013 | 07:17 PM
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B2Design 20mm Hub Centric Spacers installed :)

Went to Royal Wheels & Tire and had John install the 20mm DRM spacers by B2Design.

Here are a few pics I took during the install...excuse the quality, but they were taken with my HTC One S:

Front Passenger's Side installed
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Rear Passenger's Side
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Torque to 90lbs
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Tightening the wheel bolts
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Being lowered from lift
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Front Driver's Side
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Rear Driver's Side
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Rear Passenger's Side
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Front Passenger's Side
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Side View
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Front
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Rear
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Rear top view
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Front top view
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I will take some better pictures later

The 20mm spacers fit perfectly and pushes the wheels out flushed with the wheel well.

Driving with the spacers has increased the feel of stability without any decrease in comfort...actually feels less imperfections than before without the spacers.
There was no vibration/shudder all the way up to 80 mph...suspension felt very flat and smooth.
Steering was even more tighter now with the spacers.
Handling has improved.

Very happy with my decision.

Feedback will be greatly appreciated.
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