Wheel Spacers for Ram 1500: Improving Handling and Appearance Complete Guide

Ever wondered how you can enhance the handling and aesthetic of your Ram 1500? Wheel spacers can provide the solution!

Learn how to properly install and use them – here’s a complete guide for you. You’ll be amazed at the difference in performance and improved look of your ride!

When it comes to wheel spacers for the Dodge Ram 1500, it’s all about two things: improved handling and improved appearance. Wheel spacers serve to widen the wheelbase of your truck, making it more stable and improving its steering characteristics. They also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your truck by allowing you to fit larger wheels and tires. As such, they are a popular modification among Ram 1500 owners.

In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about wheel spacers for the Dodge Ram 1500. We’ll cover what wheel spacers do, what materials they’re made from and their recommended installation methods. Finally, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the most popular wheel spacer models available on the market so you can make an informed decision when selecting one for your ride.

Understanding Wheel Spacers

Wheel spacers are aftermarket components that increase the distance between the wheels and fender of a truck, typically by at least one inch per spacer. Installing wheel spacers is a relatively simple process, with vibrant aesthetic benefits to enhance your Ram 1500’s look. They also have tangible performance implications like improved handling and added stability.

To maximize their effectiveness and keep costs down, it is important to understand how wheel spacers affect the Ram 1500 before making a purchase. Before we cover installations specifics, first let’s discuss what type of wheel spacer is right for you and why they should be considered in the first place.

When it comes to choosing a correct wheel spacer for your Ram 1500 there are two main factors you need to consider – thickness and stud length. Wheel spacers generally range from one inch up to four inches in thickness – depending on what look you want to achieve. The most common thickness for Truck applications are six lug designs fall into two distinct classes – two-inch and three-inch thick models. Secondly, ensure that instead of using longer studs which can damage or weaken factory hubs after extended use, choose pre-manufactured permanent hub centric designs with proper pressed in studs or bolts as necessary for greater durability, better handling characteristics and optimal weight distribution across all four wheels when turning or stopping sudden motion quickly.

Definition and Function of Wheel Spacers

Wheel spacers refer to adapters that fit between the vehicle axle and the wheel assembly. They provide a better way to mount wheels and tires on an automobile while increasing the distance between the car’s hub-mounting surface (the brake disc) and the wheel. Wheel spacers are essentially used as a way to achieve improved handling characteristics and aesthetics.

When installed on a Ram 1500 truck, wheel spacers can be especially useful in optimizing tire contact patch area—meaning more of each tire is in contact with the road for improved performance when cornering, accelerating, or braking. Additionally, when bolted into place following both manufacturer instructions and safe-tire inflation protocol, wheel spacers are capable of holding up to any kind of driving.

Wheel spacers also offer owners an opportunity to customize their ride aesthetically with bolder looking wheels which can be achieved by widening a vehicle’s rear track. In this role, they come into play as accessories associated with modified suspensions used for alternate forms of racing such as drifting or drag racing where cars must exhibit increased maneuverability through tight turns while maintaining optimized downforce during acceleration or deceleration.

Throughout history, vehicle manufacturers have explored technological advancements involving brakes, traction control stability systems, suspension calibrations and even lighter weight components; all aimed at facilitating a superior performance experience—Each bringing its own journey within automotive culture showing noteworthy successes that sparked further experimentation amongst aftermarket parts providers specifically targeting racer customization needs; Parts which then later become available in offline/online markets for enthusiasts everywhere wanting to proudly make their statement while enjoying thrilling new levels of power output from their ride at every twisty turn!

Types of Wheel Spacers

When it comes to wheel spacers, there are several types available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common type are hub-centric spacers, which can improve the handling of your Ram 1500 by providing improved lateral stability. They also add the desired appearance of larger wheels and tires for an overall improved look.

Hub-centered spacers are specifically designed for vehicles with a 5×5” – 6×5.5” bolt pattern, making them ideal for the Ram 1500 since this model has a 6×5.5″ pattern. These spacers fit directly onto your existing mounting hardware and require no additional components or installation modifications to fit properly.

Another type of removable spacer is the stud insert type, which eliminates the need for lug nuts or prolonged installation time when switching between different sized wheels and tires throughout different seasons of the year. This method creates a deeper seating point in original lug holes that greatly increases strength and reduces vibration at high speeds by adding more surface area around your mounting hardware’s contact point.

Considerations When Choosing Wheel Spacers

When choosing wheel spacers for a Ram 1500, there are several considerations to take into account. These include:

Size: Wheel spacers are typically measured in millimeters (mm). The size of the wheel spacer is an important factor, as it must be large enough to give the desired increase in offset for the wheels. However, too large an increase can affect the handling and performance of the vehicle if not properly matched with compatible offset wheels.

Thickness: Wheel spacers come in a range of different thicknesses from half-inch up to four inches and more. They can also be customised to fit non-standard offsets. Similarly to size, it’s important that the thickness is matched with compatible wheels as too-thin or too-thick wheel spacers can compromise handling and performance of a vehicle.

Material: Most wheel spacers are made from aircraft grade aluminum alloys or steel to ensure strength, lightness and durability. It is important that these metals resist rusting and corrosion so that they do not weaken over time with exposure to road salt and other elements on the roads. Some high end models may also feature anodized finishes or coatings which help them resist oxidation even further.

Installation Process

Once you have the correct spacers, installation is a fairly straightforward process. It should take around two hours, and can be done with basic hand tools. No special tools or experience necessary.

Here are the steps for installing spacers on a Ram 1500:

Jack up the truck and secure it in place with jack stands
Remove the wheels from the vehicle
Unbolt and remove any existing spacers from mounting points
Clean mounting points of any foreign debris
Place new spacers into position on mounting points
Align bolts through spacer and mount holes
Insert lug nuts or bolts through spacers and mount holes and tighten securely with wrench or torque wrench to manufacturer’s specifications
Reinstall wheels onto hub assemblies, aligning lug nuts or bolts in spokes of wheel with holes in spacer
Tighten lug nuts or bolts securely using torque wrench to manufacturer’s specifications
Lower vehicle back to ground
Drive vehicle slowly to ensure correct alignment

Necessary Tools and Equipment

When it comes to installing wheel spacers on a Ram 1500, it is important to be aware of the tools and equipment you will need before beginning the project. In most cases, a jack, jack stands or ramps, as well as a torque wrench, is necessary.

To ensure proper installation and reliable performance of your wheel spacer setup, you should have several additional components available before getting started. Most notably will be protractor or ruler set, Allen keys sizes 5mm-10mm or metric 15mm–19mm socket wrench set, and an impact driver with multiple bits (Phillips/ hex).

Additionally make sure that you have appropriate thread locking compound on hand in order to secure bolts in place properly once all the pieces are fitted together.

Step-by-Step Guide

The task of installing wheel spacers for Ram 1500 vehicles can seem intimidating at first, but it can be fairly simple with the right planning and preparation. This step-by-step guide will take you through the process of installing wheel spacers for your Ram 1500, from start to finish.

Firstly, make sure that you have all necessary tools and parts on hand before beginning the installation process. Here’s a list of essential supplies: two wheel spacer sets, lug nuts, torque wrench and extension bar (for using the torque wrench), impact driver and 6mm hex bit, safety glasses or goggles, reliable jack stands, sockets and ratchet set (for removing existing wheels).

Next up is jacking up your vehicle — this is an important step as it will allow you to have full access to your brake drums or rotor when you need to access them later on in the project. Make sure that your jack stands are rated for the weight of your vehicle and set them up securely before raising your car off the ground.

Now you’re ready to remove those existing wheels! Use a socket wrench or ratchet set with appropriate-sized sockets to remove one lug nut at a time until they are all removed. Place each removed lug nut in a safe place away from working area so they won’t get misplaced during installation. It might also be helpful to write down which lugs were originally placed in which holes as this would help when re-attaching them later.

Take out each bolt from the back of each wheel – now’s when having those extra hands comes in handy! Unscrewing bolts can be difficult if done solo – so grab an extra person’s assistance if needed – then take off both assemblies from either side of each wheel. Once these two assemblies have been detached from the wheels it should be easy enough to lift them off safely away from brake drums or rotors – just make sure there are no loose parts still attached before doing this part!

Now comes time setting up those new wheel spacers onto their respective sides – do this carefully by making sure that all included bolts fit securely in each provided slot before tightening them down using an appropriate sized socket wrench/ratchet set combo with torque adapter (this will ensure even pressure distribution across entire surface area ).*

Safety Precautions

When dealing with spacers of any kind, there are a few safety considerations to keep in mind. These include properly torquing the lugs, using quality new lug nuts and abiding by the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that all lug nuts are the same size and length and that none of them are reused from your current wheels or tires.

When installing wheel spacers, you must use torque sticks to ensure that you maintain the correct torque setting on all lug nuts; this prevents nuts from becoming loose over time. It is important to regularly inspect your wheel spacers for wear or damage, as damage can lead to vibration, imbalance and poor handling.

Finally, follow basic safety precautions when working with any hardware near the brake system of your vehicle.

Effects on Handling

Wheel spacers have a major effect on your vehicle’s handling, and this is one of the main reasons why you would want to install them. By adding spacers to your vehicle, it will allow you to run a wider set of wheels, meaning more stability and better control during cornering. The wider tread pattern will also improve the grip levels and make it easier for you to corner. Additionally, fitment of larger wheels will reduce the overall unsprung weight of the car, which in turn will improve acceleration and braking.

Of course, this is all dependent upon how wide you go with the wheel spacers; wider does not always mean better — there are also downsides to consider as well. So make sure you do your research about what tyre sizes/combinations are ideal for your vehicle before purchasing any spacers or aftermarket wheels!

Improved Stability and Cornering

Adding wheel spacers to your Ram 1500 can improve its stability and cornering performance. The wider stance of the wheels due to the wheel spacers increases the track width, resulting in improved vehicle stability, meaning it is better balanced and planted during all kind of cornering forces.

It also helps reduce tire rub and eliminates potential clearance issues by allowing you to choose from a much wider variety of tires, resulting in improved traction and handling capabilities. Additionally, when more grip is achieved by reducing body roll, bumps and imperfections become much easier to take on with greater confidence as well as reduces braking distances by allowing for better weight transfer across the axles.

All these benefits are extremely useful when taking on tight corners or demanding maneuvers which require good levels of grip and balance.

Increased Traction

Wheel spacers can also help to improve traction when driving, as the wider wheelbase makes the handling more stable by giving you more grip on the road. When turning in a corner, wheel spacers create more friction between your tires and the ground, which results in a smoother ride.

Additionally, increased traction means smoother acceleration and improved power delivery from your engine, allowing for increased responsiveness when pressing down on the gas pedal. Improved traction is an important part of a Ram 1500’s performance-oriented drive but can also provide an additional level of safety when braking or in other situations where good grip is crucial for keeping control of your vehicle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wheel spacers for the Ram 1500 are a great way to improve your vehicle’s handling and appearance. Installing wheel spacers can be done affordably and improves the look of your wheels, plus adds some clearance between the fender wells and tires. Additionally, wheel spacers increase the stability of your vehicle by widening the track width and improving handling. With a proper installation, these benefits will help make driving a more enjoyable experience.

We hope that this guide has been helpful in helping you decide if wheel spacers are right for your Ram 1500. So if you’re looking to lift, level out, or just make your Ram 1500 look better improved handling and appearance, installing wheel spacers could be exactly what you need!

FAQ’S

Will wheel spacers improve handling?

It depends on the specific vehicle and the size of the spacers.

How much do spacers affect handling?

Spacers can have a noticeable effect on handling, but it varies depending on the vehicle and the size of the spacers.

Do wheel spacers improve stability?

In some cases, wheel spacers can improve stability by widening the vehicle’s track.

Do wheel spacers effect anything?

Wheel spacers can affect the vehicle’s stance, handling, and clearance.

Are wheel spacers safe for my truck?

When installed properly and with the correct size and type of spacer, wheel spacers can be safe for a truck.

Is 2 inch wheel spacers too much?

It depends on the vehicle and the intended use. In some cases, 2 inch spacers may be too much and can cause issues with handling and stability.

What is the disadvantage of wheel spacers?

Wheel spacers can cause issues with the vehicle’s alignment and can put additional stress on the wheel bearings.

What are the disadvantages of suspension spacers?

Suspension spacers can cause issues with the vehicle’s suspension geometry and can lead to premature wear on suspension components.

What are the performance benefits of wheel spacers?

Wheel spacers can improve the vehicle’s stance, handling, and clearance, which can lead to improved performance in certain situations.

Do spacers improve performance?

In some cases, spacers can improve performance by improving handling and stability, but it depends on the specific vehicle and the intended use.

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