leveling kit question......help!!!

M

matthewy03

New member
So I wanted to get the Toytec 1/2" spacer kit to give my Runner about a 1" front lift. I made the mistake of telling my dad that I would like a 1 1/2 inch lift but i couldn't find a 3/4" spacer that would work so I settled on the 1/2" spacer. Well long story short he found these on ebay and ordered them for me without telling me!!

1.5 spacers

he said he called the seller and its actually a company and they claimed this would work on the 4Runner and it would give a true 1.5" lift, the spacers alone are 1 3/8" think, I was under the impression after reading several threads on here that you get about twice the lift of the thickness of the spacer. Somebody please set me straight, or set them straight!!!
 
Register to hide this ad
you'll get at least 2 in. of lift out of them, maybe think about getting a 1 - 1 1/2 spacer for the rear.
 
You are correct, you will gain double (almost) the spacer size. That spacer will probably yeild over 2" of lift. I'd stick with the Toytec, and maybe add FJ springs.
 
borgzman said:
Here's a controversial thread about that "mysterious Ebay Spacer" LOL! :
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/43482-lift-leveling-kit.html
Just scroll down look at the pic if you like the stance of it installed. For me it doesn't look bad.
Click to expand...

Lots of controversy in that thread, thanks for the link!! Since I already have the kit I am going to give it a try, I will be sure to take several pictures of the kit and measurments and share!! If it isn't a 1:1 I will just take it off and send it back, might be a week or two before I get it on but I'll be sure to inform other that might be looking at this.
 
From what that eBay action shows in the pictures, those are top-out spacers, not pre-load. If those are what you have in hand, then you will get the exact amount that the spacer measures from top to bottom. Now if what is pictured is not what you have, and you have something that you have to rebuild into the coilover, then you will get double. Just thought I'd mention this.
 
kylebacc said:
From what that eBay action shows in the pictures, those are top-out spacers, not pre-load. If those are what you have in hand, then you will get the exact amount that the spacer measures from top to bottom. Now if what is pictured is not what you have, and you have something that you have to rebuild into the coilover, then you will get double. Just thought I'd mention this.
Click to expand...

I disagree. Even with a topout spacer, the ratio is 2:1. Everyone I've talked to with 4x4 FJ springs on their T4R has gotten somewhere around .5" lift from it. I combined this with the Toytec spacer that measures .5" thick, and my total lift was just a tad over 1.5". I really doubt I gained double the lift from the springs. Also, if you'll look at the big name companies, they do list the 2:1 ratio. The Cornfed topout spacer that's listed to give 1" is only .5" of material. The Toytec I'm running is listed to give 3/4", which even the Toytec rep on the site told me was incorrect and that I'd get 1" (either way, still over a 1:1 ratio). It's the "cheaper" companies such as Daystar and those eBay sellers who aren't as familiar with the suspension setup on the T4R. Other vehicles have a 1:1 ratio, but with the T4R, topout or preload, the ratio is 2:1. Looks as if the OP will do the install and find out for sure what this'll yield, but I'm guessing over 2". Also, with that big of a topout spacer, I'd be a little cautious about off roading, as that could cause over extension. I've not heard of it happening, but in theory it's pretty likely with a spacer that large.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
I disagree. Even with a topout spacer, the ratio is 2:1. Everyone I've talked to with 4x4 FJ springs on their T4R has gotten somewhere around .5" lift from it. I combined this with the Toytec spacer that measures .5" thick, and my total lift was just a tad over 1.5". I really doubt I gained double the lift from the springs. Also, if you'll look at the big name companies, they do list the 2:1 ratio. The Cornfed topout spacer that's listed to give 1" is only .5" of material. The Toytec I'm running is listed to give 3/4", which even the Toytec rep on the site told me was incorrect and that I'd get 1" (either way, still over a 1:1 ratio). It's the "cheaper" companies such as Daystar and those eBay sellers who aren't as familiar with the suspension setup on the T4R. Other vehicles have a 1:1 ratio, but with the T4R, topout or preload, the ratio is 2:1. Looks as if the OP will do the install and find out for sure what this'll yield, but I'm guessing over 2". Also, with that big of a topout spacer, I'd be a little cautious about off roading, as that could cause over extension. I've not heard of it happening, but in theory it's pretty likely with a spacer that large.
Click to expand...

I think you're quite wrong, friend. From what I can see on the ToyTec website, those all look like pre-load spacers (the kind you have to dismantle the coilover to install). Correct me if I am wrong. It makes absolutely no sense that a top-out spacer would give you more than the height of the spacer. I have a cornfed lift on one of my trucks, and you are right it gives me about double the inches of the spacer. But my cornfed lift is a pre-load. Are you telling me that cornfed makes both pre-loads and top-outs? Think of the rear spacers. Those are top-outs, per-se. Then think of doing the exact same thing to the front. 1:1. That's what a top-out does. I guess, as you said, we shall see when the OP throws the spacers in.

To the OP: will you please post a picture of the exact spacers you have?
 
I actually don't have them onhand. I can say that when I got them I measured them with a tape measure and they were 1 3/8" thick. They do look like the exact thing pictured in the ebay auction. I plan on going back to install them next weekend as I have a guy that is going to help me for free. I'll be sure to put up plenty of pictures though.

Thanks for all the comments!
 
This is the kit I have, Toytec topout spacer that measures 1/2" thick, and even listed on their site to give more lift than spacer thickness. Again, I have this spacer, and it is indeed a topout. All of the larger spacers are either preload or a combination of the two, but this one is a topout and has the 2:1 (or very close to it) ratio. Here is the Burtman Industries page (Cornfed). Read the description of the lift, it's a topout spacer that gives 1" of lift. It doesn't list the actual spacer thickness, but if you have your doubts PM Jason Burtman on this site and he'll give you the measurements. I'll bet you it's 1/2" of material.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
This is the kit I have, Toytec topout spacer that measures 1/2" thick, and even listed on their site to give more lift than spacer thickness. Again, I have this spacer, and it is indeed a topout. All of the larger spacers are either preload or a combination of the two, but this one is a topout and has the 2:1 (or very close to it) ratio. Here is the Burtman Industries page (Cornfed). Read the description of the lift, it's a topout spacer that gives 1" of lift. It doesn't list the actual spacer thickness, but if you have your doubts PM Jason Burtman on this site and he'll give you the measurements. I'll bet you it's 1/2" of material.
Click to expand...

Well if you're right, your right. We'll see. I just don't see that being true. I put a topout on a 3rd gen (which has very similar suspension setup), and got the same amount as the spacer (after everything settled back into place). I don't remember the exact specs, it was for a friend who lives 7 hours away. Convenient right? :zoom:

Your spacer that you have, you did NOT build it into the coilover? Just placed it on top and threw it back up there? And it gave you more than the size of the spacer, huh? That's super weird to me. Just doesn't make sense. I'm interested to see the OP's results.
 
Correct. I had to disassemble the strut to install my FJ springs, but I put the whole assembly back together, sat the spacer on top, then put it back on the rig. All I know is I've been told the 2:1 ratio holds true, and based on my lift it did. Here is the setup install on my 4runner, you can see the spacer is sitting on top of the assembly, and I meausured a few weeks after the install and tire alignment and yes, 1.5" of lift after it settled.
InstallPics5.jpg~original


And I took this pic during install just to show how the spacer sits on top of the assembly:
InstallPics3.jpg~original
 
Basing on the front suspension geometry of the 4Runner, it will have a 2:1 ratio (lift, thickness of material), wether its preload or topout, because how is it different?? So many have 1/2"(material) topout spacer did gain 1" of front lift.

But how many have reported installing a more than 1" thickness Topout Spacer that their front is lifted 2" or more supporting the 2:1 ratio also applicable to topout?

Makes me confuse that, as the topout spacer becomes Thicker or more than 1 inch thick, will it give a 1:1 ??

I am still a 2:1 believer :cool:

matthewy03, please don't leave us hanging when you're done with the install. LOL!
 
Interesting points Borgz. I wonder then, if you get, lets say, OME front springs that are rated at 3" of lift....are the actuall springs only 1.5" taller than stock springs (when compressed)? I guess you couldn't really use that as a comparison to spacers, because of the different spring rates? Correct?
 
kylebacc said:
Right ok I see what you got there. I just don't get it then.
Click to expand...

If you think about the suspension as kind of a modified fulcrum, it starts to make sense. Look at any video of a vehicle suspension in action, and you'll see the wheel may travel >3" up or down, but the movement at the shock/spring is much less. That's because the length of the control arms (lever) adds to the 'outboard' movement at the wheel. I'm sure one of the engineers on the board will come in and correct my terminology, but hopefully that starts to explain why it's not a 1:1 ratio.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 371 (members: 2, guests: 369)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,304
Messages
3,554,041
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top