Hub-centric spacers push your XJ's track width out by 1.25–1.75 inches per side — enough to clear fender flares after a lift or eliminate rubbing on a budget build without buying new wheels.
The XJ runs a 5x114.3 (5x4.5") bolt pattern with a 71.5mm hub bore. That hub bore dimension is the reason hub-centric spacers matter here: a lug-centric spacer — one that centers on the lug nuts rather than the hub — will fit and torque down fine sitting still in your driveway, but at highway speed it can introduce vibration because the wheel is centered by five lug nuts instead of by the machined hub register. On a daily-driven or trail rig that sees mixed pavement, pay the extra $20–$30 for a hub-centric spacer with the correct 71.5mm bore.
The most common use case on an XJ is a lifted rig that gains some clearance but finds the stock wheels or a new set of budget steels still rubs slightly at full droop or full lock. A 1.25" spacer moves the wheel outboard enough to get past the fender flare lip without requiring a wheel swap. The second use case is correcting backspacing: if you scored a great deal on a wheel with 4.5" backspacing instead of the 3.75" you wanted, a 1.25" spacer gets you most of the way back to the right offset without eating into the budget.
At 1.75" and above, factor in extended wheel studs. Most XJ studs are M14x1.5 and long enough for a 1.25" spacer with the stock lug nut engagement depth, but a 1.75" spacer leaves you right at the minimum thread engagement. Either run extended studs pressed into the hub (the right call) or buy bolt-on spacers that include their own studs. Do not use a thick spacer on the stock stud length and call it good.
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| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Spidertrax WHS002 1.25" Wheel Spacer Kit (5x4.5") | Spidertrax | ~$120 |
| Teraflex 1.5" Hub-Centric Wheel Spacer Kit | Teraflex | ~$110 |
| Rugged Ridge 1.75" Wheel Spacer Kit | Rugged Ridge | ~$89 |
| APS 1.5" Hub-Centric Spacers (5x114.3) | APS | ~$99 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.