Wheel Spacers vs Offset Wheels

Hello!

Wheel spacers or Offset Wheels.. which is the better option? A few people have told me spacers put more strain on the bearings etc but then other people tell me offset wheels do the same thing? Some people have told me they have broken spacers but never broken offset wheels and on the other hand some people have never broken spacers and swear by them over offset wheels - SO CONFUSED! ha

Also is anyone on here running 16" or 15" -30ET wheels on a Jim?

Thanks,
Redmond

I'm just mulling over the same, kind of - don't know whether to go for spacers or wider tyres. I can't see anything wrong with spacers, providing that they are engineered by someone reputable (and not Chinese!). I did hear that some manufacturers have even used them, like Porsche! itstillruns.com/wheel-spacers-pros-cons-5791338.html

www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum?view=topic&catid=6&id=18067
recent topic with more or less the same discussion above.

I would not use spacers as i think it is a bit like a junkyard hillbilly homegrown kind of solution

On the other hand some billet type spacers is approved by the german TUV..

Billet better than steel?
www.raptor4x4.co.uk/raptor-4x4-suzuki-sa...heel-spacers-x4.html

I have bulldog billet 30mm spacers. They have plus sides and down sides...

Plus sides:
wider stance & track
Easy to fit and remove if changing tyre sizes
(relatively) cheap option

Downsides:
front wheel bearings have lasted just over 12 months, less than 5000 miles (with 235 tyres)
any unbalance or kingpin issues are magnified
cause scrubbing of tyres on front bumper, plastic arches/liners and front body mount.
have to be torqued correctly and are a nuisance if changing brake discs

There are various designs of spacers so look carefully and dont buy the cheapest ones! I think mine will be coming off when the 31" tyres go on, so may be for sale on here

Stress on the bearings is caused by the increased offset regardless of how it's achieved. Spacers add another complication, more weight and increase the chance of issues occurring. I'd always go for offset rims.