Narrowest wheel widener/spacer?

[Zeus.:God]

I'm using RPM Revolver 2.2" wheels for the front of Stampedes and Rustlers. With the tires I have on them, they rub against the rod ends for the drag link and tie rod. I'd like to stick with the wheel and tire combination I have, but obviously can't have them rubbing on the rod ends. I've been looking at wheel wideners from Gmade but those widen the track by an inch and that's a lot of stress on the bearings/knuckles, especially when I'm building a relatively fast truck. The other option I looked at was Traxxas thick hex hubs, and those would be ideal, but the only problem is that with the current setup, the wheel nuts tighten down flush with the end of the axle/stub shaft, and if I were to widen them that way, I would not have contact with the nylon locking portion, and/or not very much thread engagement.

Any ideas? Are there any wideners like the Gmades that are a little bit narrower?

EDIT:

Perhaps there are longer axle and stub shafts available?