Wheel spacers

[Fishing Junky]

Howdy all. I have a question on wheel spacers. I would like to make my wheeler, 450 Grizzly, a little more stable with a wider stance. I am thinking about putting on one inch spacers on all for wheels. Would only going an inch be enough to make the wheeler feel more stable, or do you think I should go bigger? Anyone familiar with or have them on thier wheelers? Thanks for any help. Junky......

[Dave S]

I hate to answer your question with another question, but do you plan to upgrade your wheels/tires in the near future? If so, you can get a set of offset wheels that will yield the same results.

Otherwise, going wider by an inch on each side shouldn't be overkill. One concern that I would have is if you put a plow on. By going wider, you will close the gap between the edge of your plow and the tires while having your plow angled.

[Fishing Junky]

No Lep. That's one reason why I want to go with spacers. Cheaper than buying new wheels and tires. I also have a brand new set of stock tires and rims for the wheeler I bought cheap for backup. Do you feel this will help? I do not plow with it. Thank you. Junky........

[Dave S]

No problem Fish. Spacers will make it more stable. You'll be surprised how much tighter it seems getting through some areas with a wider machine. The Pros outweigh the Cons.

[Fishing Junky]

Thanks Lep. If I remember correctly the 450 is about 3 inches or so narrower than the 550/700 Grizzly. I can get up to a 2 inch spacer if I wanted. 1.5 and 1.75 inch are also an option. I don't want to get too wide, but I don't want to go too narrow too if it doesn't help. What size should I get is the question now. Junky...

[Hafnutz]

I wouldn't go any wider than 1" (2" overall). The additional offset does place some extra strain on the wheel bearings. Your wheels will also stick out from under the fenders more and throw up lots of mud. The increase in stability will make it all worth while. Very common to see spacers added to Yammies to ad a little stability.

[jltimm]

Another thing with most OEM tires are the sidewalls are very flexible compared to aftermarket tires. Spacers will help, but spacers and decent tires would help even more.

[Fishing Junky]

Well, it looks like I'm gonna go with one inch spacers than. I have all winter, as the wheeler is put away for the winter. I'm not going to get new tires, as my machine only has a hundred miles on it, and the Wife would blow a gasket on new ones. he he he. It would also help a bit, if she would learn how to lean a little bit too. :0) Thanks for your help guys, apreciate it as always. Junky......

[Fishing Junky]

Alright LEP, now ya got me thinking. I am checking into getting ITP ss312 wheels with Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. Rims have a 5+2 offset, stock has a 6+1 offset. Should do the trick. Your costing me money buddy. :0) Junky....

[Dave S]

RFLMAO

Just tell the Mrs. you're concerned for her safety and you want the best tires/wheels available to keep her/her machine upright.

The Bighorns will be a great choice of tire if you go that route.

[Fishing Junky]

RFLMAO

Just tell the Mrs. you're concerned for her safety and you want the best tires/wheels available to keep her/her machine upright.

The Bighorns will be a good choice of tire if you go that route.

Your readin' my mind big guy. Safety first ya know? Will keep ya updated if I live through this one.

[Dave S]

Best of luck Fish.

Those rims will dress the machine up real nice. Just tell her how much better she'll look on the machine with those wheels/tires.

NO WAIT................Don't tell her that.

[Hafnutz]

Rims don't cost that much more than spacers. New tires will make a HUGE difference also.

[Fishing Junky]

Thanks guys for the info and help. Well, the Wife went with it hook, line and sinker. She feels safer already. Will get them ordered today and on the way. Gonna cost me new kitchen flooring though. Not sure why she needs that, as we are just gonna walk all over it anyways. The price a guy has to pay, I'll tell ya. I'll let ya know how it turns out on the stableness and all when installed. Might take a few weeks though. AND, next time I ask for advice on something, PLEASE LEP, make it cheap. :0) Junky..

P.S. Will be posting new stock tires and rims in the Duluth/classified section. :0)

[Dave S]

AND, next time I ask for advice on something, PLEASE LEP, make it cheap. :0) Junky..

You can't put a price on safety.

As far as having a Mrs. who enjoys riding........Simply Priceless. You have a keeper FJ.

[Fishing Junky]

Originally Posted By: Fishing Junky

AND, next time I ask for advice on something, PLEASE LEP, make it cheap. :0) Junky..

You can't put a price on safety.

As far as having a Mrs. who enjoys riding........Simply Priceless. You have a keeper FJ.

No doubt in my mind Lep. Thanks for keepin' us safe.

[huntingislife]

Where did you order the tires/wheels from? I could have sent you in the direction for a very good deal. The 312s are the nicest looking rim IMHO.

[Fishing Junky]

Where did you order the tires/wheels from? I could have sent you in the direction for a very good deal. The 312s are the nicest looking rim IMHO.

Please send me in that direction. I haven't ordered them yet. Waiting to hear a few things before I order. Thanks a ton. Junky....

[Dave S]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but contact info for potential sales isn't allowed in the open forums unless it's in the designated forums.

Sorry guys.

[Fishing Junky]

No prob LEP. Thanks for the heads up.

[Fishing Junky]

Just a follow up. Went ahead and ordered the wheels/tires. Can't wait to see how nice the Wife looks now. :0)

[coombia21]

please post pictures when you get a chance

[Fishing Junky]

please post pictures when you get a chance

Will do. Might take a bit to have the chance to get them on as the wheeler is out of town a ways. But will asap. Junky....

[Fishing Junky]

Well Boys, Got the new wheels on that LEP made me buy. There is no doubt that I am 5-6 inches wider. I'm posting before and after pics for you to check out. I wieghed the stock wheels and the new ones and I am 31 lbs heavier now. My Brother, MR. ATV/MR. SNOWMOBILE, is confident that I will want to put a clutch kit in it now. I just put the tires on and I won't have the chance to try them out for awhile. BUT, there is no doubt that this setup WILL make the wheel more stable. Special thanks to LEP for the advice and to all that helped, or are just lookin' Junky...........

[Dave S]

First off FJ, Thanks for the kind words.

The tire/wheel combo sure dressed up the Grizz. I think you're right on with your estimate on the extra width.

In time, you might want to consider a clutch kit to give you a higher engagement RPM. If you're just puttin' around, low range will suffice. But the extra weight on the Grizz will drop your top end some. Nothing to be concerned about with your intended use.

Congrats on the purchase. Glad you're satisfied.