So now in 2020 is there a way to install spacers without it being horrible later to do brakes?

also if I just want about an inch, which ones hold up?

 

if you're talking wheel spacers, you will still need to take them off to remove the drums/rotors. you should be able to leave em on if you're just changing the front pads.

 

found a lot of older posts on them and seems a lot of guys are against them, maybe I’ll pass.

 

I've run spacers in multiple cars over the past 20 years, including my XJ. Knock on wood, never had a problem with any of them. Just make sure you get the right hubcentric measurement, torque them properly, and recheck them after a couple tanks of gas. On the fronts with disc brakes, you can jamb a screwdriver between the fins on the rotor up against the caliper in order to prevent the rotors from moving when you're trying to torque them down. Having someone step on the brakes while you torque them isn't quite as effective. Hope this helps.

 

Put me in the camp of ones who hate wheel spacers!!!! My new to me XJ came with 16"x7" Icon wheels with 5.5" back space and 1" wheel spacers. As soon as I realized this I ordered a new set of five Quadratec 16"x8" 4.5" backspace wheels and switched them out. Took the old wheels and spacers to the local scrap metal dealer. It ended up costing me about $600 to eliminate those damn spacers on my XJ but I'm much happier with the truck now and I have 1" wider wheels. Here it is before and after swapping wheels.

16x7 Icon wheels with spacers.


16x8 Quadratec wheels no spacers.

 

I don't know if they sell "pass through" spacers (ones that don't have any studs, you use yours) in 5 x 4.5, but if they do, you could just install longer wheel studs. That's if your keeping the bolt pattern. I don't see how 5 extra nuts with the common spacer is that big of a deal during a rotor/drum removal though.

 

Lots of people are using spacers. They are a lot better than they used to be. Very few people have problems with them and half the time, the problems are caused by the person who installed them (i.e. loose lug nuts). I wouldn't shy away from them. Just make sure they're torqued to spec and follow up with checking them from time-to-time.

Wheel adapters, the spacers that change the bolt pattern, also work just fine.

That being said, I don't use them myself.

You do have to remove the spacers to change out front rotors, though the pads can be serviced without removing them. The rear drums need the spacers to come off for any brake service. But removing the spacers is just 5 lug nuts. It's no big hassle.

 

I'd have sold the old rims & spacers...I got 200 for my icons.......in only a few days........

 

I'm happy for you!