Thanks for all the assistance Fordem. You've been very helpful.

Know anything about wheel spacers??

So, what you're saying is; it's the "height" of the caliper that is the problem. It causes interference between the inside edge of the wheel and the top of the caliper.

What's confusing me is that people say with a 1" spacer they can clear 15's.

Adding a spacer only moves the spokes away from the front face of the caliper, the diameter of the rim is unchanged. This suggests that the issue is not insufficient space radially, but simply the spokes hitting the front face of the caliper. Furthermore, if this is true, I could have just as many problems fitting aftermarket 16" rims as i might with 15's!

If i could just test fit rims on the truck before i order/buy them we wouldn't have to discuss this topic to death!!

I have a 2000 Tracker 2.0L 4 door that came with 15" rims.  I installed aluminium rims from and older Sidekick and they fit...until I put new brake pads on...then the calipers rubbed the back of the rim.  Right now I have 15x8 rims from a Jeep CJ.  They don't fit unless I use 1/4" spacers, then they barely clear.  And once I put new pads/rotors on again, only the steelies will clear the calibers.  

And remember, your vehicle won't pass inspection in the USA with wheel spacers larger than 1/4"..

The rims you can use on these vehicles are tricky, make sure they fit before you buy rims.

Thanks for all the assistance Fordem. You've been very helpful.

Know anything about wheel spacers??

You're welcome, and with regard the spacers, I dislike them and would suggest you avoid if at all possible - the further out the wheels are the greater the load on the wheel bearings, and whilst some folks have had no problems with them, I've had a bad experiences many years ago.

I'm not huge fan of wheel spacers. I'm a trained mechanic, and i fully understand the increased stress put on the wheel bearings. But if it's what i've got to do to fit the 15" Ford wagon wheels i've got, then it's what i'll do.

I remember reading somewhere something about the shape or the diameter of the hub causing problems with some spacers??

I'm not usually much of an Ebay shopper, but these spacers are half the price of most others:

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WHEEL-SPACERS-PAIR-5-X-5-5-1-25-SUZUKI-VITARA-99-05_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem439e3d578bQQitemZ290417629067QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
 

Anyone have any bad experiences with no name spacers such as these?

rim/bead profiles mean a lot.  the GV has a JJ profile, while the Vitaras were mostly J.

Thanks YT - can you explain the differences?

There seems to be a lot of (mis) information on the web concerning this, but as far as I can tell, the J or JJ refers specifically to the "bead" profile, which would be the area where the tire seats, and thus the area least likely to come into contact with the caliper.

JJ or J are markings that should be stamped onto the rim somewhere right??

Correct.

Yep I have seen that spacer. It puts stress on the spacer lugs and the wheel bearings because of the offset. Ive seen the breack off at bad tims when a vehicle gets bounced in the rocks. I would abort using that style particular rim if I had to use a spacer with a large thickness. 

Quote from: tuxblacray on March 27, 2010, 08:49:26 PM

My late model 99 has a 2.0 and came with 16" rims. I'm running 15" 93 Ford OEM Outlaws on it. There isn't a more than .5 clearance between the rim and the caliper face.

I don't think you can run a spacer unless it would be something like .25. There wouldn't be enough lug bolt length left to mount the rim. Unless you intend to remove the rotor and drive out the old lugs bolts to install newer longer ones. 

Ever seen this style of spacer?  It bolts to the hub and has it's own lugs for the wheel to go on to.