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Anyone install splash guards? I have ppf but still... Slim long ones look like they will work. Only ones on Google search are from Vicrez. Kind of pricey for what they are but look like the ideal, low profile look. Front profile Rear profile
You are in the same place I am exactly. I wasn't aware of the extra wear on the bearings as an issue especially with the small amount of distance the spacer will move the wheel out. Good to know. I do think that the splash guards would look good, though. Especially in the rear where the body falls away more exposing the tire in profile. Still needed on the front, I feel, especially with the spacers. Let me know if you proceed with either spacers or guards. And pics, too!
Have been told they were bad, but then,
Can't get link to work but they said spacers will not hurt bearings??????????? I really like the looks of mine but think I will take them off just to be safe
All very thoughtful and considered points. However, I feel that < 1" of offset laterally we are talking about compared to the considerable suspension modifications people are doing and the race driving even on stock suspensions people are doing would be exerting a tremendously larger amount of stress than we are talking about. Orders of magnitude more. Plus, wheel changes with modified offsets giving the same look but with wider wheels will certainly put different geometries on these components. Don't you think that these components would be overengineered like all well built cars are. I know Lexus's are. I think for what we are talking about is more of a theoretical tempest in a teapot. But that is just my opinion. Still not decided whether the small amount is worth it, however, but I will probably go ahead with the splash guards, as I think it will look better and have some more protection from rocks and gravel along the underside of the rockers.
I have wider wheels with different than stock offsets. This is not new to me or my LC. I've been doing this for years. As far as splashguards, I have them on my truck Not on my LC
As far as spacers go - I don't trust them
Last edited by flowrider; Dec 24, 2023 at 08:24 PM.
Yeah, I had both thin profile splash guards and spacers on my 2004 SC 430 for at least 15 years. Both improved the look and the splash guards protected the sides of the car. I like the look they gave and the spacers really were needed to get the wheels out to the edge of the wheel well, more so than on the LC. Much better look as the factory wheel and tire position made it look like a railroad car (again, my opinion). Didn't have any problems with it as far as I could tell and no mechanics that I used said anything about them. Even the Lexus dealer service never comment on them with service checks, tire rotation, replacements, brake jobs, etc. They needed way more offset than what we are talking about here. I also have a 2008 Honda Pilot that I bought used for my son already equipped with wider/bigger wheels and tires, and compared to others with the factory set up, looks way better. Have owned it since 2010. Due the the wheel and tire increase, it didn't need the spacers.
My main concern is regarding that fact: Is the small amount needed worth the effort as it is only 0.79" at most. Not the 2+" that you read about with Jeeps, trucks, etc? Don't know. Still, I like the look and stance of the owners posting different wheels with the wider stance provided by the larger/wider wheels they change to, but I love the 2022 Inspiration wheels too much to change them for the wider stance. I went ahead and ordered the Vicrez splash guards to move in that direction, but will wait until I decide on the spacers to get the correct positioning. Thanks all for comments.
Went ahead with the 20mm spacers front and rear as I wanted to see what the look would be. Quality forged spacers recommended in many reviews as best to have. Checked each with the paper test and was tight all around both at the hub and wheel. Solid attachment and torqued to 103.3 ft/lbs as factory recommended. Both wife and son agree that the look is better with the small added wider stance using the factory wheels. Wife says " looks richer". Haven't had them out yet for a drive as weather has been crappy. Expect to like them as much as I did on my SC430 for years.
Splash Guards and Wheel Spacers
Not on my LC
