FJ Shocks and Srings, 1/2" Toytec Spacer not sitting correct, please advise...

[S p a r k y]

Hey everyone, i hope you can help me out here. about 2500-3000 miles ago, I installed FJ Shocks and Springs with 1/2" Toytec Spacers. At the time of install the front passenger side was 3/4 inch lower than the driver front. I knew this was wrong but went on due to time.

I just measured all four corners today, cause I have been contemplating on what to do about the 3/4 on an inch. Well after the miles the suspension has settled some, and I have been able to see the visual difference.

Driver Front -----------Passenger Front
35 1/4 " ------------34 1/8 "

Driver Rear------------Passenger Rear
35 5/8 "--------------35 3/4 "

My right front is 1.25" lower than the left front, and this is very noticable. I installed Gray/Green FJ spring on the right front. Yellow/Green on left front. Did everything everyone else is doing.

Yes I did put both FJ springs in and not just one and one stock.
I did put both 1/2 " spacers in, I used the FJ shocks for both sides, removed xreas.

I have lots of pics as I have been playing with heights etc using a jack, when I lift the passenger front witht he Jack to match the other side it looks great, when I release jack it goes back down the 1.25 inch.

When it was just the 3/4 of an inch I was thinking of just buying the 1/4 spacer and adding to the passenger front, now that it has settled and such a difference I need to get to the bottom of it.

Suggestions?? Is the spring bad, shock bad? Just had alignment, no issues. Drives straight etc.

What is the deal? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That should be right, mine has the orange on the drivers side and grey on the passengers side. I'm not sure why thedivers side would be higher, I'd consider swapping sides with the springs then adding the 1/4" spacer if needed. Maybe someone has better suggestions.

 

[S p a r k y]

That should be right, mine has the orange on the drivers side and grey on the passengers side. I'm not sure why thedivers side would be higher, I'd consider swapping sides with the springs then adding the 1/4" spacer if needed. Maybe someone has better suggestions.

Thanks for the response ARK, was hoping you would chime in. I agree those are my thoughts as well, swapping and trying, however my issue is completely opposite of for instance when you needed to change springs.

My thoughts are 34 1/4 " with FJ springs and a 1/2 " spacer is just way to low for any side. I need to try something, that height when I get either 265/70 or 255/75 just wont work i dont think.

Can others throw in measurements if they have them easily available. I have seen many and have looked for the last 30 mins or so. Something is wrong.

Thanks Ark and whoever else can help. May be fixing this while installing JL stuff next sunday after Christmas.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

That should be right, mine has the orange on the drivers side and grey on the passengers side. I'm not sure why thedivers side would be higher, I'd consider swapping sides with the springs then adding the 1/4" spacer if needed. Maybe someone has better suggestions.

I agree. Which height do you like better? the drivers front or pass front? Maybe getting to shave down the drivers side spacer might be the answer. Although the 1/4" spacer is so cheap...

 

[S p a r k y]

I agree. Which height do you like better? the drivers front or pass front? Maybe getting to shave down the drivers side spacer might be the answer. Although the 1/4" spacer is so cheap...

Well I like both lol, one for street, one for playin. My only concern is, now that the difference is 1 1/8 inch instead of the 3/4 I will need to just take out the 1/2 spacer on driver side and leave the pass side. The 1/4 was designed to level the left side which is already the same as most with this setup.

Sounds like to either level the pass with driver I need another 1/2 inch or a solid 1 inch. Or try a new pass side coilover. Or swap n see what happens. Tons of ways to fix.

Just working this out through others to see what's best.. Something isn't right.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Something isn't right, and shaving a spacer or removing a spacer only seems like a work around, not the real solution to an underlying issue. Doing one of those things is my only suggestion, but I think there's something else causing the issue that needs fixed.

 

[S p a r k y]

Well as i was driving around today, I stopped and remeasured, now its 3/4 inch diff again.. I think trying another spring is the right decision. cause the passenger is changing not the driver side.

 

[Merle]

Don't forget, you have your butt and gas tank on the drivers side. Depending on how much you weigh (or your passenger) and how full your tank of gas is...

I would engineer the driver side to sit a little bit higher than the passenger side. It needs to offset the payload distribution (R/L) of the passenger (150# normal for driver) and a tank of gas (6lbs x 24 = 144) for a total of 194 lbs on the driver side.

IIRC (guess basically) the spring rate of the 4runner is 200lbs/inch. That 300lbs distributed between the F/R at that rate would yield about a 3/4 inch drop on the driver side.

So depending on what the Toyota engineers were thinking... up to 1/2" would be acceptable with you exiting the vehicle and difference between driver & passenger w/ a 1/2 tank of gas. You get back in, I'd want a R/L level.

 

[S p a r k y]

Great explanation Merle. I think i will try the 1/4 spacer first, its cheap and easy to find. If that doesnt work someone will prob snatch it up quick.

Before I purchase that I may have someone measure it with me in the runner, 200lbs and some more gas may make a big difference.

Thanks