I can't wait for Friday... and a rubbing question.

[Justin727]

Dunno about 4runners but in the 1st gen Tundra world spacers are a no no because the UCA's are extended to much and putting added stress on the ball joints. I had one installed and the ride stiffened up. I had an 04 TRD with bilsteins and progressive coils. Eventually with with 5100's up front and rear with AAL for the rear leaf springs.
Although a few friends drove my truck with spacers on the front they all agreed they couldnt notice how much harsher the ride was compared to before and still compliments how refined and car like the truck handled.
But given the choice I would use coils over spacer anyhow.

 

[HB 4X4]

You cant be serious. They provide lift, which allows the use of larger tires which gives you diff clearance.....helping you clear obstacles.

All of which are related to ride height... You will also need wheel spacers and/or aftermarket UCA's, body mount chops, trimming/fender re-positioning, etc, depending on the tire size.

The spacers achieve the same results as longer coils. How is their performance "sub-par"???

Please list a specific downfall to using spacers over coils...

• They do not allow added articulation (Possibly even limit it)

• No benefits to travel

• Will not support vehicles with added weight

• Not safe for vehicles used in faster off-road situations

• The stress added to the stock suspension will cause premature failure and/or sagging

In my own experiences:

• I found them to be sloppy while off-road

• They were easily bottomed out even on a stock weighted rig

• The rear was always the worst. With 1" it was bearable, but when I had a 2" spacer in back, it was sloppy and jarring

• They never provide the listed amount of lift. (i.e., 2" spacer gives about 1.5" after settling, 3" gives about 2.25" after settling, etc). You need more than 2.25" of lift to fit a decent sized tire.

Like I said, there is nothing wrong with running spacers if you are just an occasional recreational off-roader, or even if you just want more height for grocery runs :nerd:. It probably doesn't make much of a difference if you have a very light vehicle primarily used for slow runs. It depends what the driver needs out of his vehicle and what other modifications are in place.

 

[JeremyH]

If you install a longer coil, it will change the angle on the UCA/ball joint by the same as a spacer (assuming that they both result in the same lift height)...

 

[JeremyH]

....

Everything you listed there is simply your opinion. You did not provide specific examples of their "downfalls". How, exactly does elevating the upper strut mount decrease your travel (again, assuming that the user has installed shocks of appropriate length? Why are they easily bottomed out (more so than an aftermarket extended coil)? How are they "sloppy"??

I have a feeling that you feel this way about your experience with spacers because you did not also install shocks of the proper extended and compressed lengths.

All of which are related to ride height... You will also need wheel spacers and/or aftermarket UCA's, body mount chops, trimming/fender re-positioning, etc, depending on the tire size.

No, they are related to tire size. You don't need a higher ride height to fit taller tires. I have installed spacers on my 4R and did not exchange the UCA, did not cut off the body mounts and did not cut the fenders...

 

[HB 4X4]

Everything you listed there is simply your opinion. You did not provide specific examples of their "downfalls". How, exactly does elevating the upper strut mount decrease your travel (again, assuming that the user has installed shocks of appropriate length? Why are they easily bottomed out (more so than an aftermarket extended coil)? How are they "sloppy"??

I have a feeling that you feel this way about your experience with spacers because you did not also install shocks of the proper extended and compressed lengths.

It is not my own opinion except what I placed under "My own experiences." I figured labeling it as such was self-explanatory, but perhaps not. If you have any facts to disprove the top list, please do so.

A typical spacer lift does not require any new parts such as shocks, making that point moot. This discussion is about spacer lifts on stock suspension parts.

No, they are related to tire size. You don't need a higher ride height to fit taller tires. I have installed spacers on my 4R and did not exchange the UCA, did not cut off the body mounts and did not cut the fenders...

Then your tire size was not larger than a 285 AT. Anything larger requires one or more of the above mentioned items.

 

[JeremyH]

If you have any facts to disprove the top list, please do so.

Here you go:

"Will not support vehicles with added weight"

My vehicle is sitting outside right now with a spacer lift installed and it is PERFECTLY supported....with the "added weight".

"The stress added to the stock suspension will cause premature failure and/or sagging"

I have run spacers on my Jeep (pictured above) for 10 years and they did NOT cause sagging (on the stock or any aftermarket coils).


Correct, typical spacer lifts do not include shocks (Rubicon Express sells all of their spacer lifts w/longer shocks, but we are talking about Daystar), but that doesnt mean that they arent needed. Anytime you lift a vehicle you should ALWAYS measure the extended and compressed length of the shock and purchase accordingly.

 

[HB 4X4]

Here you go:

"Will not support vehicles with added weight"

My vehicle is sitting outside right now with a spacer lift installed and it is PERFECTLY supported right now....with the "added weight".

A) This is just a fact. You can not run spacers with much added weight.

B) Are we discussing 4Runners still or are we now on to your Jeep which requires additional suspension parts to accommodate spacers?

"The stress added to the stock suspension will cause premature failure and/or sagging"

I have run spacers on my Jeep (pictured above) for 10 years and they did NOT cause sagging (on the stock or any aftermarket coils).

Again, it's just fact that the spacers will wear out the coils faster.

Previously you stated that you have had multiple suspensions and multiple coil-spacers on your truck, so how is it that now you have had the SAME coil-spacers on the SAME stock suspension for 10 years straight to back up this statement?

 

[JeremyH]

Wow....what you call "fact" and what the rest of the world calls it are MUCH different. I have run the same spacers for that time....I have swapped out the coils (the reason I was able to say that it did not sag either stock or aftermarket). BTW, when I first installed the coils, I did not need to add anything else to the jeep....not even shocks. The stockers were the perfect length.

I give up with you. I surely hope people dont simply take your words as "fact"...because they are far from it.


To the OP, sorry for getting way off topic with this person. You will have great luck with your new lift. Make sure you post some pictures when it is installed!

 

[HB 4X4]

Wow....what you call "fact" and what the rest of the world calls it are MUCH different. I have run the same spacers for that time....I have swapped out the coils (the reason I was able to say that it did not sag either stock or aftermarket). BTW, when I first installed the coils, I did not need to add anything else to the jeep....not even shocks. The stockers were the perfect length.

I give up with you. I surely hope people dont simply take your words as "fact"...because they are far from it.


To the OP, sorry for getting way off topic with this person. You will have great luck with your new lift. Make sure you post some pictures when it is installed!

You have added multiple new coils, making your judgement moot. Whether you changed them because they did in fact sag, or you changed them before they had a chance to, it really doesn't matter. This is a 4Runner forum, and the discussion pertains to spacer kits on stock suspensions. Not spacer kits on Jeeps which require new coils and shocks.

Your logic on facts is severely flawed. You justify your experiences as facts, whereas I do not. I specifically noted a disclaimer in my post that the following information was my own experiences.

If you have any facts to disprove the top list, please do so.

Here you go:

"Will not support vehicles with added weight"

My vehicle is sitting outside right now with a spacer lift installed and it is PERFECTLY supported....with the "added weight".

"The stress added to the stock suspension will cause premature failure and/or sagging"

I have run spacers on my Jeep (pictured above) for 10 years and they did NOT cause sagging (on the stock or any aftermarket coils).

In addition, what is the "added weight" you are using to justify your previous opinion?

 

[(4)runnin'it]

well... that was entertaining. HB- thank you for your honest opinion, but one question, did you ever run spacers on a 3rd gen? and what does sloppy mean?
Jeremy-thank you for your encourgement, i hope i have the same luck you have had with my lift.
anyways, i'm lifting mainly for cosmetics, and i live in louisiana, there are no rocks or even trails that i would need to have more articulate suspension for around here. JUST MUD... which bums me out completely, but anyways, no one has really touched on the thing about getting 285's. i'm just wondering if i should even try to get them and get 1/4" spacers and trim or just leave my 265/75's on there... anyways if anyone has an insight on this for me let know.

 

[HB 4X4]

well... that was entertaining. HB- thank you for your honest opinion, but one question, did you ever run spacers on a 3rd gen? and what does sloppy mean?
Jeremy-thank you for your encourgement, i hope i have the same luck you have had with my lift.
anyways, i'm lifting mainly for cosmetics, and i live in louisiana, there are no rocks or even trails that i would need to have more articulate suspension for around here. JUST MUD... which bums me out completely, but anyways, no one has really touched on the thing about getting 285's. i'm just wondering if i should even try to get them and get 1/4" spacers and trim or just leave my 265/75's on there... anyways if anyone has an insight on this for me let know.

No, sorry, only on a 4th gen. Sloppy meaning they can't keep the vehicle in control at higher speeds (I am referring to off-road, not on highways).

I would encourage you to have at least 3" of lift for 285's... but with 2.5" of lift, some trimming, and something to push the wheels out (wheel spacers are cheapest) then 285's are very possible. You'll get a huge power hit on a 3rd gen though. My 285's weigh me down and I have a V8.

 

[JeremyH]

Jeremy-thank you for your encourgement, i hope i have the same luck you have had with my lift.
anyways, i'm lifting mainly for cosmetics, and i live in louisiana, there are no rocks or even trails that i would need to have more articulate suspension for around here. JUST MUD... which bums me out completely

You are always welcome to borrow some of our rocks!:bravo:

 

[trd_4runnin]

I really think it depends on what kind of tires you want to run and how much lift the Daystart lift actually yields. With my 3" OME lift (actually got about 2.5"), I had to do quite a bit of trimming to get my 285/75 KM2s to fit and not rub everytime I turn. It didn't bother me I just did the required trimming and moved on. I also still rub on the frame rails but I'm running 1.25" wheel spacers and Tacoma wheels so I'm not sure how much that applies to you.