One of the easiest ways to enhance the performance of your Polaris Ranger is to install wheel spacers.
Wheel space adapters can drastically change how your Ranger handles rough terrain. They essentially help your vehicle navigate tight trails and support heavy loads, and give them that extra boost you may need, especially if you use your Polaris Ranger for farming, hunting, trail riding, or hauling gear.
However, not all wheel spacers are created equal, and not just any kind of wheel spacer is ideal for a Polaris Ranger.
We are giving you some guidelines on how to choose the best wheels for your Polaris Ranger, and bringing you some recommendations on the best Polaris Ranger wheel spacers our customers have expressed a strong preference for.
How to Choose The Best Polaris Ranger Wheel Spacers
1. Choose Aluminum Wheel Spacers
Right now, the most popular spacers for Polaris Rangers are billet aluminum wheel spacers, especially those made from 6061-T6 or 7075-T6 aluminum alloys.
Billet aluminum spacers are ideal for Polaris Rangers because they offer an ideal balance between lightweight construction and extreme strength, which is crucial for UTVs operating on rugged terrain.
Of course, steel spacers are another option, but they’re significantly heavier and more prone to rust. Most people just go for aluminum alloy spacers.
2. Consider Hub Centric vs. Lug Centric Wheel Spacers
Hub Centric Wheel Spacers
Hub-centric spacers are designed to match the exact diameter of your Polaris Ranger’s wheel hub. The design of hub-centric wheel spacers makes them ideal for Polaris Rangers because:
- It reduces stress on your wheel studs
- helps prevent vibrations,
- Helps distribute the load more evenly.
Lug Centric Wheel Spacers
Lug-centric spacers rely solely on the lug nuts to center the wheel, which can cause imbalance and increase wear over time. However, many people still use lug-centric wheel spacers for their Polaris Rangers because:
- They offer broader compatibility,
- They are usually more affordable
- Lug-centric wheel spacers are generally more available than hub-centric spacers.
Understand better: Hub-centric vs. lug-centric wheel spacers.
3. Choose Wheel Spacers with Pre-Installed Studs and High-Grade Hardware
High-quality Polaris Ranger wheel spacers should come with pre-installed studs and high-grade hardware. Ideally, go for wheel spacers that are rated at 10.9 or 12.9 on the metric bolt grade scale.
These grades ensure the studs are strong enough to handle the torque and impact of off-road driving.
What are The Best Polaris Ranger Wheel Spacers?
In terms of checking all the boxes for safety, performance, and reliability, this set of four 2-inch wheel spacers from Orionmotor is among the best Polaris Ranger wheel spacers out there. With a 4x156 bolt pattern, this set will improve your wheel clearance, handling, and stance. It is made from aircraft-grade T6 aluminum with corrosion-resistant hardware:
- They perfectly match the 4x156 bolt pattern, which makes them specifically designed to match Polaris Ranger hubs.
- They are hub-centric, which means they will align perfectly with your Ranger’s wheel hub.
- The included bolts and studs are rated at 10.9 or 12.9, which are industry standards for high-performance applications.
- Orion Motor Tech wheel spacers have an anodized finish, which provides a strong barrier against corrosion, rust, and any other type of damage.
- Orion Motor Tech uses CNC (computer numerical control) machining for high precision. This ensures tight tolerances, better wheel balance, and improved durability compared to cheaper cast spacers.
Recommended Sizes for Polaris Ranger Wheel Spacers
For most Polaris Ranger models, 1.5-inch and 2-inch spacers are the most popular and practical sizes. 1.5-inch and 2-inch wheel spacers are ideal for different riding needs, and they can handle different kinds of terrain.
Choose 1.5-inch Wheel Spacers For Your Polaris Ranger If:
- You want a noticeable boost in stability while still maintaining a factory-like ride feel.
- You want a bit more width for cornering and bump absorption, especially when using slightly larger tires.
Choose 2-Inch Wheel Spacers For Your Polaris Ranger If:
- You want even more width without going overboard.
- You plan to get larger, more aggressive tires,
- You are concerned about rubbing issues against the suspension or frame.
If you’re using aftermarket control arms or shocks, 2-inch spacers are probably your best choice.
Pro Tip:
Keep in mind that Polaris Rangers typically use a 4/156mm bolt pattern. Make sure your spacers match this pattern. Installing the wrong pattern can lead to dangerous misalignment, stripped studs, and even your wheels falling off.
Understand more about bolt patterns with this F150 lug pattern guide.
Why Use Wheel Spacers on a Polaris Ranger?
ATV wheel spacers serve more purposes than just making your Polaris Ranger look wider or more aggressive. They are essential for enhancing the performance of the Polaris Ranger, making your truck more stable, easier to handle, and more formidable on the road.
- By pushing the wheels outward, spacers increase the track width of your Ranger, giving it a wider and more stable stance, for uneven terrain or sharp turns
- Wheel spacers also help prevent tire rub against control arms, shocks, and fenders. Installing wheel spacers can give you the room you need to drive your Polaris Ranger safely.
- Additionally, a wider track creates a more planted feel. This will improve handling over rocks, hills, and loose terrain.
- Wheel spacers also give you more flexibility when choosing wheels. With the added space, you can run wheels with different backspacing or offset without sacrificing performance.
- Finally, wheel spacers can save you money. Compared to installing new axles or custom wheels, wheel spacers are an affordable way to achieve similar improvements in stance and functionality.
Conclusion
If you enjoy driving your Polaris Ranger, wheel spacers are a great way to enhance your driving experience. They will make your Ranger look bigger and better, while improving stability and overall functionality.
Make sure to buy high-quality wheel spacers, such as these from Orion Motor Tech. You might also want to consider this Orionmtor tech wheel spacer review.
