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Turning Radius?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by weedy, Apr 24, 2005.

  1. Apr 24, 2005
    weedy

    weedy Member

    Conroe, Tx
    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    156
    I have 10." wide 31" tires that have reduced the turning radius due to rubbing on the springs in tight turning. Has anyone used spacers (washers) between the rims and drums to increase the turning radius?
     
    weedy, Apr 24, 2005
    #1
  2. Apr 24, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    9,221
    Not sure I follow what you're asking here.

    The larger tires rubbing would increase your turning radius not reduce the turning radius, no?

    Wheel spacers have been discussed here before if that's your subject of interest.
     
    sparky, Apr 24, 2005
    #2
  3. Apr 24, 2005
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
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    Aug 7, 2003
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    Posimoto, Apr 24, 2005
    #3
  4. Apr 24, 2005
    weedy

    weedy Member

    Conroe, Tx
    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
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    156
    The wider tires rub the leaf springs on tight turns. If I space out the tires I will get a tighter turning radius. I did this on a 4 wheeler with larger tires due torubbing the front strut but I have not seen it on a jeep.
     
    weedy, Apr 24, 2005
    #4
  5. Apr 24, 2005
    $ sink

    $ sink Gazillians of posts

    Virginia Bch
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    Nov 25, 2004
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    how wide are your rims?
     
    $ sink, Apr 24, 2005
    #5
  6. Apr 24, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    You could use wheels with less backspacing, or wheel spacers ( I run 1.5" spacers), But I definitely would NOT put washers behind the wheels...........
     
    Patrick, Apr 24, 2005
    #6
  7. Apr 24, 2005
    JK67CJ5TX

    JK67CJ5TX Member

    El Paso, Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2003
    Messages:
    81
    Any detectable negative effects from the spacers? My CJ rubs also, but I don't want to screw up the vintage looks!

    JK
     
    JK67CJ5TX, Apr 24, 2005
    #7
  8. Apr 24, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    I've had no problems, except flares are basically mandatory, if I want to keep the side windows clean enough to see out of...;)
     
    Patrick, Apr 24, 2005
    #8
  9. Apr 24, 2005
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    512
    They are harder on your wheel bearings. More leverage on the bearings. Also they can make your steering harder as your increasing the leverage arm the wheel exerts on the ball joints/trunions. May not matter if you run smaller/narrower tires.

    Kevo
     
    Ghetto Fab., Apr 24, 2005
    #9
  10. Apr 24, 2005
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    On mine, it's really no different than running a 10" wheel with no spacers..... And the same bearings (front and rear) are used on much heavier vehicles... I guess after over 4 years and 30K miles, I haven't had any problems, I'm not worried....
     
    Patrick, Apr 24, 2005
    #10
  11. Apr 25, 2005
    weedy

    weedy Member

    Conroe, Tx
    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    156
    Has anyone made home made spacers?

    I have some old Shackle bushings that I am considering cutting in 1/2" slices to install between the wheel and rim.
     
    weedy, Apr 25, 2005
    #11
  12. Apr 25, 2005
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    Do not try a home-brewed method of creating some wheel spacers. It's just too dangerous to risk your rig, your life and the life of others. Buy one of the proven products linked above, or find another method... like installing a narrow track D30 in place of the D27.
    Check our home page for more on the D30 swap, or search the forum.
     
    lynn, Apr 25, 2005
    #12
  13. Apr 25, 2005
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
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    Aug 12, 2003
    Messages:
    1,035
    There's more than 1 type of spacer. One type is a high quality, machined unit that is used when you really need a thick spacer, like 1" or more. These are often bolted on to the existing studs and have new studs built in to receive the lug nuts. I think these run something like $100/pr?
    I use cheap spacers that I picked up at NAPA. They're only about 5/16" thick (or 1/4") and I was able to use my existing studs. Something like $17/pr. I use them to gain clearance for tire chains on the back. I don't like them but they have worked just fine. My long range plan is to get new wheels with more (or do I mean less?) back spacing. HTH

    1970 CJ-5, 225 V-6, headers, HEI, PS, D30 Fr, 44 Rr, ARB's, SM420 w/ Novak, D18 single stick, 33" TSL Radials, Ramsey REP 5000, Sky Jacker Soft Ride,
     
    AKCJ, Apr 25, 2005
    #13
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