help: spacers or coil adjusters?

[joshj90]

Hey guys,

I just put a set of 165/70 tires on my 07' Runner, and now want to raise my front end so its level with the back. I purchased a cheap set of coil spring adjusters for 10 bucks, and i was wandering if anybody knows if they are good for what i'm looking to do. Aside from that, what other cheap options do i have to raise my front end so that it's level? Thanks.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

You can get a Daystar spacer, it'll lift the front ~2" (ignore their specs, it's the one listed at 1.25", but that's incorrect). It's cheap (~$40) and effective. Personally, I think 2" is a little much, so I went with the Toytec spacer (1" of lift) and will add FJ Cruiser springs to the front (.5-.75" of lift). Total setup cost me less than $100, and will result in a little better ride (due to the springs). I'll have mine done tomorrow hopefully, so keep looking in this section for a thread with pics. Here's the Daystar:
Daystar Lift Kits for Toyota 4Runner -Wheeler's Off-Road, Inc-

 

[joshj90]

Right on,

So, if i were to install a daystar 2.5" lift, i would get ~3"?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm not sure on their other kits, I've just looked at the one there at Wheeler's (spacer also is listed as a "Budget Boost"). On the 4runners, the front lift gives double the spacer size. So, a 1/2" spacer gives 1" of lift (front only). For some reason, Daystar refuses to admit this and they advertise the spacer size. Most other companies (Toytec, Cornfed, etc) list the actual lift amount. I'm unsure if this holds true for the larger kit or not, but more of a FYI. Several run the 2.5 Daystar kit. Check this thread for more info on the Daystar, maybe the poster can answer some questions about the amount of lift gained.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/63401-daystar-2-5-1-5-w-spidertraxx-yup-more-pics.html

 

[RPC]

Wait, wait wait. I just received the Daystar 1.25" front spacers from Wheelers Offroad and am going to install them with a set of FJ springs & shocks. I went with that setup because the stock rake seems like more than the Cornfed 1" could compensate for.

But you're saying that I can expect to get more than 1.25" out of the spacers alone? Exactly how much?

Are you aware of any threads where someone installed the 1.25"/2.5" and got more than 1.25" up front?

Thanks.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Can you measure the thickness of the spacer? From what I was told at Wheeler's Off Road, their spacer (listed to give 1.25" of lift) is 1.125" thick. There are threads all over the boards verifying you get double the lift on the front. So, you'd end up with 2.25. I have read of people installing the basic Daystar spacer and getting ~2" out of it. That is THE reason I went with Toytech instead. It's 1/2" thick, so it combined with the FJ springs will yeild just over 1.5" of lift. This is all from my research, NONE of it is from experience. So, don't make any decisions based solely on what I've said, but use it as a basis for further study. I will be installing my lift tomorrow morning, and I expect the full 1.5" (due to the doubling effect. I'll let someone who has had that particular lift installed verify this (if I'm wrong, PLEASE point it out and let me know, but after hours of reading this is what I've came up with).

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Good info in this thread, confirms what I said about the 1.25 Daystar yeilding ~2" of lift. Remember, this is ONLY for the front, the rear is a 1:1 ration.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/32205-cornfed-1-2-vs-daystar-1-1-4-a.html
However, a member does comment (towards the bottom) that the 2.5 kit he ordered gave him the true 2.5 (spacer was thinner than the 2.5). So, look at your options carefully. All the confusion with Daystar products is the reason I chose a different product, just hard to get a clear answer.

 

[RPC]

Yeah, my caliper shows exactly 1.25" thick at the base.

Hmmm- I thought the 2x rule applied to a preload spacer, not topout though. I did read the link you added and that guys says exactly what you are, the 1.25" = 2".

Whatever, I say. Two weeks from today the spacers, FJ springs & shocks and Spidertrax go on, so I'll find out then!

Thanks for the info!

 

[810moto]

I sure wish we could get some good customer service on these things. It seems as though companies have forgotten that we are paying their paychecks in one form or another.
I just put the rears on my 04 today. Only installed FJ shocks and springs (no spacers)

My before was 35-3/4 and after is 36-1/2. I have driven about 12 miles on it and can feel the difference. I hope I can find some cash somewhere and get a front spacer to go with the FJ strut and spring that is staring me down.
Also did a poly end link job while i was at it. KNUCKLE BUSTER!

 

[12guns]

Well, to add to the confusion, here's my take...with out any research mind you...just thinking it through. I would think that a topout spacer would raise the vehicle exactly the thickness of the spacer. The preload will be compressing the coil spring slightly which causes it to give more lift than the spacer is thick. That's the way I've always understood and it makes sense that way. I wonder how many people are misinformed and simply don't know what they have installed? Or maybe have a combination of preload and top out? Someone correct me here, rather, explain how a top out that literally sits on top of the strut assembly can raise any more than the spacer??
Swamprider, see you tomorrow! I'll call in the am, you brining breakfast?? LOL

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Well, to add to the confusion, here's my take...with out any research mind you...just thinking it through. I would think that a topout spacer would raise the vehicle exactly the thickness of the spacer. The preload will be compressing the coil spring slightly which causes it to give more lift than the spacer is thick. That's the way I've always understood and it makes sense that way. I wonder how many people are misinformed and simply don't know what they have installed? Or maybe have a combination of preload and top out? Someone correct me here, rather, explain how a top out that literally sits on top of the strut assembly can raise any more than the spacer??
Swamprider, see you tomorrow! I'll call in the am, you brining breakfast?? LOL

I'm not sure on this, I've heard that even the topout gives double the lift. I know my Toytec spacer is listed at 1/2" thick (I've verified this) and 3/4" lift (although we've decided it'll be closer to 1"). For the rest of you out there, 12guns and I are going to be installing my FJ springs and Toytec spacer in the morning (front only). I'll report back with our findings on the amount of lift gained. The FJ springs should give .5-.75" (stock ones have 130k miles, so I'm guess they are sagging and I'll probably get the .75"). If my understanding is right, the Toytec spacer will give 1". This should be pretty easy to tell, so stay tuned...

12guns, sounds good, just give me a call!

 

[Dungeroo]

Good luck with the install....Cant wait to hear the results and see some pics. I have the 2.5/1.5, and I am wondering if the front isn't more like 3. The kit has certainly leveled, if not brought the nose up slightly. Post 'em when you got 'em. BTW...you are going to LOVE the Hankooks!!!!
arty:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Thanks! I know it's completely different, but I had 3 sets of tires on my 96 Mustang, and the cheap Hankook all seasons were the best by far. I've been impressed with their tires. Everywhere online has excellent reviews, so it seems it's hard to go wrong. I'll not jack the thread any further, but good to hear you're happy, I'm sure they'll meet my expectations!

Back on to the original topic: here's another guy who installed a 1" thick spacer, the Daystar "Budget Boost". He confirms 1" of material, and 2" of lift with the topout spacer. He also mentions that Daystar claims 1" of lift, and they are obviously wrong. Still nothing on the 2.5, but looks as if the smaller 1" kit is confirmed to yield 2" of lift. I've not heard of this issue with the 2.5 front kit, but I've also not researched that. I can't lift the rear on mine due to the OEM rear air suspension, so never considered going bigger than 2".

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/49344-before-after-pics-daystar-leveling-kit.html

 

[RPC]

So I got the 1.25" Daystar spacers in and got exactly 1.25" out of 'em, with the FJ springs I got 1 5/8". Got about 3/4" out of the rear with FJ springs back there.

This thing feels so much better with the FJ springs, Daystar leveling spacers and Spridetrax. THIS is how our 4Runners should come stock, and it only cost me a couple hundred bucks and about 6 hours with a pal.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

So I got the 1.25" Daystar spacers in and got exactly 1.25" out of 'em, with the FJ springs I got 1 5/8". Got about 3/4" out of the rear with FJ springs back there.

This thing feels so much better with the FJ springs, Daystar leveling spacers and Spridetrax. THIS is how our 4Runners should come stock, and it only cost me a couple hundred bucks and about 6 hours with a pal.

Did you measure the actual spacer thickness?

 

[RPC]

Yeah, my caliper shows exactly 1.25" thick at the base.

Hmmm- I thought the 2x rule applied to a preload spacer, not topout though. I did read the link you added and that guys says exactly what you are, the 1.25" = 2".

Whatever, I say. Two weeks from today the spacers, FJ springs & shocks and Spidertrax go on, so I'll find out then!

Thanks for the info!

See above...

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Interesting. Everything I've read has said there is the 2:1 ratio. On mine with the 1/2" thick spacer and FJ coils, I got 1.5". Really not sure why it'd double on mine and not yours.

 

[RPC]

1.5" between the spacer and spring?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

My spacer is 1/2" thick. The FJ springs give ~1/2". My total lift was 1.5". So, I gained a 1/2" somewhere, which is expained by the 2:1 ratio. However, since mine and yours both are topout spacers, I have no clue why the results differ.