Wheel spacer questions?

[GOT-Torque]

What are your thoughts on running 1 1/2" billet aluminum wheel spacers to allow running a wheel that has 1 1/2" more backspacing than stock?



My first thought after looking at the spacers is that wheels will no longer be hubcentric and only lug centric (I think).



Most people will ask why bother and just find a different wheel. Here's why... This is on my Excursion and in 05 Ford switched to a different offset wheel which I can get really cheap. They look great and are polished aluminum. There aren't many choices for a ford 8 lug pattern in a 17" wheel that are cheap.



What do you think?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Other than it reformatting your axle to rim centerline point (Which will accelerate ball joint and rod end wear along with bearings) it will physicly SIT the same

 

[GOT-Torque]

Actually the axle to rim center point won't change because existing wheels are 7" wide with 4 1/4 backspacing. So offset of existing wheels is +0. 75". New wheels are 7. 5" wide with 6" backspacing. So offset of new wheels is 2. 25". Difference of 1. 5" which is made up with the wheel spacers. So the rim center line would actually be the same.



Wouldn't this mean that the same forces would exist on the balljoints/bearings and nothing should wear out any sooner? What I was hoping for anyway. Diesel trucks and excursions have enough weight on the front bearings and balljoints the way it is, no sense in making it any worse.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Yep you are correct. That is why I Italisized SITs the same.