EVIL ENERGY Hubcentric Wheel Spacers 5X5 for Jeep – 4PCS (1/1.5/2.0 Inch)

Q: Will the EVIL ENERGY 5x5 Jeep wheel spacers fit a 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler JL or 2020+ Gladiator JT?

A: No. The bolt pattern and hub are the same, but the stud thread is not. The Wrangler JL keeps the 5x127mm (5x5") bolt pattern and the 71.5mm hub of the JK, but it switched from 1/2"-20 inch-thread studs to metric M14x1.5. These spacers use 1/2"-20 studs and 1/2"-20 hub holes, so the JL’s lug nuts will not thread onto the spacer studs and the spacer will not seat over the JL’s thicker hub studs. The same applies to the Gladiator JT, which shares the JL’s hardware. The fitment covers the 2007-2017 Wrangler JK, including JK Unlimited four-door models.

Q: What spacer thickness should I use for 35-inch tires on a Jeep Wrangler JK with factory wheels?

A: Usually 1.5 inch. Factory JK 17x7.5 wheels are +44.45mm offset, which works out to about 6 inches of backspacing. That puts a 35-inch tire against the control arms, the sway bar link and the frame when the steering is turned. A 1.5 inch spacer brings the factory wheel to about 4.5 inches of effective backspacing, the same as many popular aftermarket JK wheels made for 35s. A 1.25 inch spacer gives about 4.75 inches, enough for a 33-inch tire.

Spacers fix clearance at the suspension, not height. 35s on a JK still need a 2.5 to 3.5 inch lift, and usually high-clearance or flat fender flares, so the tread stays covered. After installing, cycle the steering lock to lock and flex each corner to check for contact.

Q: Are the EVIL ENERGY 5x5 Jeep wheel spacers hub-centric?

A: Yes. Two parts do the centering:

• The 71.5mm center bore fits over the hub on the 2007-2017 Wrangler JK, the 1999-2010 Grand Cherokee and the 2006-2010 Commander, so the spacer centers on the hub rather than on its studs.
• The 71.5mm pilot boss on the outer face matches the center bore of factory Jeep wheels, so the wheel centers on the spacer the same way it centered on the hub.

That keeps the wheel concentric and helps avoid the highway-speed shimmy that badly centered spacers can cause. Aftermarket wheels with a larger center bore need hub-centric rings with a 71.5mm inner diameter.

Q: What are the torque specs for EVIL ENERGY wheel spacers on a Jeep Wrangler JK?

A: There are two sets of nuts.

1. Spacer-to-hub nuts: the EVIL ENERGY torque chart lists 75-85 ft-lb for 1/2"-20 studs, with at least 8 turns of thread engagement. Tighten them in a five-lug star pattern.
2. Wheel lug nuts: mount the wheel on the spacer studs and torque the factory lug nuts to the JK factory specification, which is listed as 130 N·m (about 95 lb-ft).

Use a torque wrench, not an impact gun, for the final pass. Recheck both sets after the first 50-100 miles, after every trail day, and after any deep water or mud crossing.

Q: Will the EVIL ENERGY 5x5 wheel spacers fit a 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2?

A: No. All three Grand Cherokee generations below share the 5x127mm bolt pattern and the 71.5mm hub; what differs is the stud thread:

• 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee WJ: 1/2"-20 studs. Fits this kit.
• 2005-2010 Grand Cherokee WK: 1/2"-20 studs. Fits this kit.
• 2011-2021 Grand Cherokee WK2: M14x1.5 studs. Does not fit.

Check with a factory lug nut: if it threads onto a 1/2"-20 bolt, the kit fits. The 2006-2010 Commander uses the WK’s hardware and is also on the list.

Q: Will 2 inch wheel spacers cause death wobble on a Jeep Wrangler JK?

A: Spacers do not cause death wobble. Death wobble is a violent front-end shake after hitting a bump at speed, and on a JK it is almost always caused by worn or loose steering and suspension parts: the track bar and its bushings, tie rod ends, the drag link, ball joints or the front wheel bearings. What a 2 inch spacer does is add leverage at the hub, so a part that is already worn can start to wobble sooner, especially with heavy 35-inch tires. If a wobble starts after installing spacers, first recheck the spacer and lug nut torque. Then have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth with the engine running while you watch the track bar ends and tie rod ends for play.

Q: Can I install the EVIL ENERGY 5x5 wheel spacers on only the rear axle of my Jeep Wrangler JK?

A: Yes. The kit includes four spacers, so the second pair can go on later if needed. Owners use rear-only spacers for a few reasons:

• To clear the rear coil springs and the rear sway bar with wider tires.
• To line the rear tires up with flared rear fenders.
• To match the rear track to a wider front axle after an axle swap.

Rear spacers do not affect steering, but they do change how the tires sit, so check the rear tire against the fender flare with the suspension fully compressed.

Q: Do the black, blue and red EVIL ENERGY Jeep wheel spacers cost the same?

A: All three finishes use the same forged 6061-T6 aluminum body and 1/2"-20 grade 10.9 studs; only the anodized color differs. Price and stock can change by color and thickness, and some combinations, such as red in 1.5 inch or blue in 1.5 inch, may sell out. Check the color and size selector on the product page for current availability. Most owners choose by wheel color: black disappears behind black or gunmetal wheels, while red and blue are made to be seen through open-spoke wheels.