All I want to do is get the front level. What would be the best spacer to use?
- Thread starter Jeff T
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
galactic_04
New member
see the lift thread below. it's a 2" billet spacer off ebay. It's been on there for over 10k miles just fine so far and look level.
It's an easy install in the driveway and looks great.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/77183-leveled-her-weekend.html
It's an easy install in the driveway and looks great.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/77183-leveled-her-weekend.html
You gotta be careful here. How exactly do you define "level"? Some guys just pay attention to the amount of gap between the top of their tires and the bottom of the wheel well. If you make the fronts match the rears, then your running boards will be higher in the front than the rear. That looks terrible to me. Your best bet is to raise the front about one inch or just slightly more. This will leave your running boards just about perfectly level, but the wheel gap in front will still be less than the rear. It will look more leveled out, but not completely level if you base it on the wheel gap.
Whatever you do, don't raise the front two inches. Guys who do that look like they are always driving up hill. Kinda like the old Explorers with the sagging rear springs. That looks horrible.
What I did was get a 1/2" Cornfed spacer. That raised the front exactly 1" and looks exactly how I had hoped.
Jeff T
Member
Exactly the type of info I was looking for!
So a 1/2" spacer raises the front 1" and a 1" spacer raises the front 2".
I agree with the comment on the running boards looking wierd, that would drive me nuts!
Thanks!!
Veritas
New member
No, it doesn't work like that at all. simply adding a spacer of a specific size does not mean that will be your exact gain in size, there is more math involved than that.
If you want to level out the car the right way to do it is buy one of the daystar leveling kits:
Daystar™ - Driven by Design
If you only want a small amount of lift than buying a 1" budget boost may be best for you.
To reiterate you will gain 1 inch of lift from this, however that does NOT mean that the spacer is 1 inch tall.
Last edited:
galactic_04
New member
I beg to differ, and it may be different for the 4wd vs. 2wd, but the 2" leveled mine out fine. it's not nose-high. Actually going from the wheel wells, it's 5/16" higher in back still and the running board is within 1/8" up front to back. You will not see 1/8".
The 2.5 or 2.25 blocks I've seen will be nose-high, but this is a good compromise.
Here's 265/70 17's on a 2" lift (1" spacer)
The 2.5 or 2.25 blocks I've seen will be nose-high, but this is a good compromise.
Here's 265/70 17's on a 2" lift (1" spacer)
Last edited:
Veritas
New member
Oh I agree with you absolutely about which height to use, I put on the 2.5/1.5 and it is probably the best mod I have made to my 4runner to date.
However the OP sounds very hesitant about the lift and very "appeal"-conscious to the way it will look. If you throw 2.5" up front that will level it out to what I also call level, however I think the OP would strongly dislike seeing that much coil and gap. that is why I recommended the 1" boost, to me that is almost nothing, but to the OP I think that is what they are looking for.
However the OP sounds very hesitant about the lift and very "appeal"-conscious to the way it will look. If you throw 2.5" up front that will level it out to what I also call level, however I think the OP would strongly dislike seeing that much coil and gap. that is why I recommended the 1" boost, to me that is almost nothing, but to the OP I think that is what they are looking for.
Last edited:
Yes, that's exactly how it works. You double the thickness of the spacer to determine how much lift you'll get. Keep in mind that we're talking about simple spacer lifts on the front end only.
My 1/2" spacer gave me exactly 1" of lift.
I beg to differ, and it may be different for the 4wd vs. 2wd, but the 2" leveled mine out fine. it's not nose-high. Actually going from the wheel wells, it's 5/16" higher in back still and the running board is within 1/8" up front to back. You will not see 1/8".
The 2.5 or 2.25 blocks I've seen will be nose-high, but this is a good compromise.
Here's 265/70 17's on a 2" lift (1" spacer)
LOL, why do you even waste your time posting pictures like that? In the first pic, your 4Runner isn't on even ground. And the second picture has your 4Runner's front wheels turned. Makes no sense to post pictures like that...
You do have a picture of the side profile view where you can clearly see the front of the running board is higher than the rear.
Jeff T
Member
Exactly. I have no desire to touch the back, I just want to get the nose a little more in the air and try to take away some of the rake.
That's exactly how I felt. I didn't like the nose-down stance and I wanted to raise it a bit without going overboard or making it look silly. A 1" front lift was perfect for me.
Veritas
New member
No it doesn't, a ratio of 1:2 is not how it works, it even says that in the daystar instructions, that what you receive will not necessarily be 1". Lets exaggerate this for simplicity, if I put on a spacer that gives my car 4" lift, that does NOT mean that the spacer is going to be 4" thick. it may be 3.88" thick or less, who knows, it depends on the type of vehicle.
That is all hearsay though as I believe the OP has gotten his question answered.
Veritas
New member
If you have basic hand tools a jack and some sockets, yes you can absolutely do this yourself, and putting in the smaller spacer will be much easier as well.
Jeff T
Member
I haven't decided which spacer to use, but I did some looking at the instructions. I found the DayStar instructions.
http://www.daystarweb.com/attachments/instructions/Toyota/KT09117.pdf
Now there comments about this being an easy install, but when I read to disconnect ball joints and sway bar end links I question the easy??
Is all that really necessary???
Thanks!
http://www.daystarweb.com/attachments/instructions/Toyota/KT09117.pdf
Now there comments about this being an easy install, but when I read to disconnect ball joints and sway bar end links I question the easy??
Is all that really necessary???
Thanks!
borgzman
New member
Here are detailed instructions/writeup by JA
2007 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition Lift
If you only need minimum front lift, I suggest getting a "Topout" spacer so you don't need to compress the spring.
2007 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition Lift
If you only need minimum front lift, I suggest getting a "Topout" spacer so you don't need to compress the spring.
Jeff T
Member
Well I've never heard of the "topout" spacer. Where do I find one.
Looks like its going in the shop, I'm not ready to take apart the entire front suspension...
borgzman
New member
I don't have spacers, but I think the Topout spacer goes between the mounting plate and the strut tower. You don't need to disassemble the whole strut assembly.
Daystar front spacer kit can be a combination of a topout and pre-load spacers. IMO by using only the the .5" topout spacer, can already give you appox 1" of front lift. If I'm correct its sold in a different part number.
can someone do some more explanation about topout spacers... LOL
