Landcruiser 79 series V8 wheel spacers

[Big Nutz]

Hi guys, just joined this site and am after as much info as possible. I recently bought the new 79 series V8. Great truck. Done all the usual mods, ie. winch and winch bar, 2" lift, factory diff locks etc. I'm getting ready for a trip to the Cape in September and want to know if anyone out there has fitted wheel spacers to the rear wheels. I've got a steel tray and will be carrying a Travelander slide-on camper (Just over a tonne all up). Will the wheel spacers place too much stress on my bearings considering the weight being carried and the corregations I'll be travelling on? It would be nice to know the rear wheels are following the front ones on difficult terrain, or is the standard set-up not a problem.

[The Crow]

I have a 76 Series wagon and have not had any dramas on rough roads or towing a 21ft van. I think you may find using wheel spacers may void your insurance. I have heard that they are only to be used offroad.

[nilla60]

Wheel spacers can also get you a roadworthy and legal implications if they are deemed to be a contributing factor in an accident. Pontentially do-able, but not without expert advice.

[Big Nutz]

Wheel spacers can also get you a roadworthy and legal implications if they are deemed to be a contributing factor in an accident. Pontentially do-able, but not without expert advice.

Thanks for the info, but the spacers I'm talking about are the 50mm spacers made by Snake Racing specifically for the 79 series. The rear wheel track is 100mm smaller than the front, which means the back wheels don't necessarily follow the same wheel ruts as the front. Legally, the wheel track is measured on the front wheels, so all I'm doing is making the back wheels the same. Still want to know if this will stress my wheel bearings greatly. Any ideas?

[roscoFJ73]

Thanks for the info, but the spacers I'm talking about are the 50mm spacers made by Snake Racing specifically for the 79 series. The rear wheel track is 100mm smaller than the front, which means the back wheels don't necessarily follow the same wheel ruts as the front. Legally, the wheel track is measured on the front wheels, so all I'm doing is making the back wheels the same. Still want to know if this will stress my wheel bearings greatly. Any ideas?

Owners have been doing this on other landcruiser models for a few years and the biggest problem I have seen is complaints about wheel nuts not staying tight.
However these were not Snake Racing spacers and some owners used the wrong wheel nuts

I guess it also fair to say the bearings will not last as long ,but how long is anyone's guess.

Ask SR what kind of tests they have done;)

[LC70]

Big Nutz,
I have the new ute and purchased a set of the snake racing wheel spacers. They are a top quality product however....when i fit them they make my rear wheels stick out that far that they protrude out past the tray and may have the potential to rub against the horizontal tie down rail along the bottom of the tay. I don't know if the wheel travel will allow the wheel to move up that high hence i have not tried them off road for this reason. I have the GXL with alloy rims. I have also thrown on my 285/75/16 BFG MT to have a look, these tyres are fitted to the steel GXL wheels and are way out past the tray due to being physically bigger and perhaps different offset. To answer your question. I don't know if they are worth the additional money, i have no problems when 4wding, especially with diff locks and i doubt you would really notice the difference unless you spend alot of time on very soft sandy tracks. I am heading to the cape in August and am doubtful if i will fit them for this trip, i will have to do a bit more testing with the spacers before i make up my mind.

Cheers
Andrew