FirstTimeTruckOwner
Active member
So for the past couple years, I was running a set of MVX rims in 18x9 with a -12mm offset, on the stock suspension and stock tires. I absolutely loved the amount of "poke" I got, but then a killer deal on a set of Defiant DF03 rims came up and I couldn't pass it up. I ended up going with the exact same size (18x9 with a -12mm offset) on the stock Goodyear rims and all was good. Then ended up needing a new set of tires and opted to go with a set of Nitto Terra Grappler G3s in stock size (275/70/18). For whatever reason (maybe it's the "smoother" look of the sidewall), I didn't feel like the truck had the same stance as it did with the stock Goodyears. It's been bugging me for the past couple months, with my only real options being adding spacers and ET lugs or going with spacers and doing the extra work of adding extended studs.
I ended up picking up a set of these wheel spacers off American Trucks:
www.americantrucks.com
To ensure I had enough thread engagement, I added a set of ET lugs. I spoke with one of the guys at Defiant and he was able to confirm the inside diameter of the smallest opening of the lug holes, this way I didn't buy lugs that had a shank too thick to fit through the holes. So on stock studs with the spacers and the ET lugs, I was able to get 10 full rotations of the lug nuts, which based on what I've read online, is a safe amount of thread engagement.
As far as rubbing goes, I did not get any rubbing while just turning the wheel, but I ended up trimming off about 2" worth of that small mud flap thingy just to be safe. With the offset of the wheels and the spacers combined, I'm at almost -22mm offset on the fully stock AT4X suspension and tire size. This gives me a really great look and I think when it's time for new tires again, I may even bump it up to 285s...we'll see.
Here's what the final setup looks like:
I ended up picking up a set of these wheel spacers off American Trucks:
0.375-Inch Hubcentric Wheel Spacers; Set of Two W655-37781-HC-2 (99-26 Sierra 1500)
FREE SHIPPING! Wheel Spacer 6x139.7 78.1mm CB Hubcentric .375 Thick 6Lug with lip - Sold in Pairs
www.americantrucks.com
To ensure I had enough thread engagement, I added a set of ET lugs. I spoke with one of the guys at Defiant and he was able to confirm the inside diameter of the smallest opening of the lug holes, this way I didn't buy lugs that had a shank too thick to fit through the holes. So on stock studs with the spacers and the ET lugs, I was able to get 10 full rotations of the lug nuts, which based on what I've read online, is a safe amount of thread engagement.
As far as rubbing goes, I did not get any rubbing while just turning the wheel, but I ended up trimming off about 2" worth of that small mud flap thingy just to be safe. With the offset of the wheels and the spacers combined, I'm at almost -22mm offset on the fully stock AT4X suspension and tire size. This gives me a really great look and I think when it's time for new tires again, I may even bump it up to 285s...we'll see.
Here's what the final setup looks like:
