Leveling spacers...

F

firebirdguy

Member
ive read most the threads & stickies on lifting/leveling 4th gen 4runners & got most the info i needed, like the lift is ~2x the spacer thickness. & what shocks/struts/springs will fit the 4th gen.

i just bought a pair of used spacers that are 1" thick & made of amuminum & was curious of a few things before i install them. this is for an 08 sport with xreas that seems ok for now, so cheap spacers are all thats needed before i change out the xreas down the road aways.

1> what is the normal lift people are doing to level the front? will 2" (1" spacer) be too much of a lift & make the nose too high? i dont plan on or need to lift the rear, just want to level or improve the stock rake.

2> is there any issues or ride comfort problems with using aluminum spacers vs poly? are there any rubber isolators that should be used for these alum spacers? or just install & go?

3> will a ~2" lift require any other suspension mods? or change the alignment enough to need it re-aligned? tires on it now are crappy so doesnt matter for the short term, but will be getting some new 265/70/17 in the near future.

any pics of just a basic 1-2" front spacer lift?

thanks!
 
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Recent experience

I just did this yesterday on the same vehicle...first, I used a 3/4" spacer to get 1.5" of lift....perfect. Any more would have been too much.

Second, unless you're good down there, be really careful. The spacers can go in with the XREAS but you have to rotate the strut 180 degrees on re-install and run the risk of breaking the XREAS lines...which will wreck the entire system.

I had my mechanic do it, and he actually did split the line and wrecked the whol thing. I ended up going conventional.

Yes, you'll need an alignment, and mine also has 265/70 ATs.

Attached a picture....see if it's what you think you're looking for!
 

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prolly cause the spacer bolts to existing mount and spacer has studs 180 degrees apart

daystar has stud extenders and doesnt have to be rotated
 
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thanks, good to know these little detaiils before installing.

here are pics of the 1" spacers i bought, they dont have any markings or numbers on them, anyone recognize the brand?

i read a thread about the daystars & extended studs, do these look like they require extended studs? looks like a recessed area that maybe doesnt need extenders?? the seller said they were complete & as removed from the vehicle so hes saying they dont need anything extra & will install as is.
 

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those spacers bolt on over the existing strut mount studs. then you have to rotate 180 so you can bolt to upper strut mount
 
Geecole said:
I just did this yesterday on the same vehicle...first, I used a 3/4" spacer to get 1.5" of lift....perfect. Any more would have been too much.

Second, unless you're good down there, be really careful. The spacers can go in with the XREAS but you have to rotate the strut 180 degrees on re-install and run the risk of breaking the XREAS lines...which will wreck the entire system.

I had my mechanic do it, and he actually did split the line and wrecked the whol thing. I ended up going conventional.

Yes, you'll need an alignment, and mine also has 265/70 ATs.

Attached a picture....see if it's what you think you're looking for!
Click to expand...

still confused about the rotate 180 thing... i havent looked at the suspension yet as the truck isnt on the road yet untill some other issues are addressed. im very mechanically inclined, have done a lot of work on older muscle cars including numerous full frame off restorations, suspension/engine & paint work, so doing the job isnt an issue, just not familiar with it yet.

i have the factory service manual & will look at videos of the install... but can someone explain why the shocks need to be rotated 180? is the rotation just to get the shock back in place then put back to normal position? or will they be installed 180 & stay that way? for XREAS that seems like an issue leaving it rotated & the lines twisted.

just trying to understand the reason for 180 rotation & if its just to get the shock back in or if thats how it will be positioned for good. if its for good, i think i may just go the 5100 route or FJ springs for the slight front lift i want to level it out some.
 
so sounds like the strut has to be rotated 180 when mounted back in, that seems like a problem for the XREAS. i will look for the daystars or commit to doing 5100's. was hoping i could use these spacers with the xreas that still seems to function ok.

thanks for the input
 
I've heard it can work..

I've heard it can work but is tricky. I think I've seen a couple of videos of the install working, too, but even though I'm decently handy, that unless I had the right tools, it wasn't worth the potential hassle for me.

Good luck on yours; for the cost, the Billsteins might make as much sense as anything else.
 
firebirdguy said:
the ones linked say are for 95-02 4runner & 95-04 tacoma. the ones i have came off a 13 tacoma & the seller said they should fit a 4th gen 03-09 4runner too.

did you install yours with the xreas or did you delete it before installing them?
Click to expand...

It was already deleted and replaced with standard shocks.
 
So I was curious if it's possible to turn the top plate of the strut assembly to keep the XREAS tubing in line with where it's supposed to be?
As in compress the spring, turn the top plate the appropriate amount and release the springs.
 
firebirdguy said:
the ones linked say are for 95-02 4runner & 95-04 tacoma. the ones i have came off a 13 tacoma & the seller said they should fit a 4th gen 03-09 4runner too.

did you install yours with the xreas or did you delete it before installing them?
Click to expand...



I have XReas on my '03 ... having them doesn't affect your ability to add spacers one way or the other; the hydraulic line to the shocks is well out of your way.
 
firebirdguy said:
ive read most the threads & stickies on lifting/leveling 4th gen 4runners & got most the info i needed, like the lift is ~2x the spacer thickness. & what shocks/struts/springs will fit the 4th gen.

i just bought a pair of used spacers that are 1" thick & made of amuminum & was curious of a few things before i install them. this is for an 08 sport with xreas that seems ok for now, so cheap spacers are all thats needed before i change out the xreas down the road aways.

1> what is the normal lift people are doing to level the front? will 2" (1" spacer) be too much of a lift & make the nose too high? i dont plan on or need to lift the rear, just want to level or improve the stock rake.

2> is there any issues or ride comfort problems with using aluminum spacers vs poly? are there any rubber isolators that should be used for these alum spacers? or just install & go?

3> will a ~2" lift require any other suspension mods? or change the alignment enough to need it re-aligned? tires on it now are crappy so doesnt matter for the short term, but will be getting some new 265/70/17 in the near future.

any pics of just a basic 1-2" front spacer lift?

thanks!
Click to expand...


2" seems like a lot. I used 1/2" spacers to get about an inch of lift and I would say it's pretty much level now -- I think raising the front alone by 2" would make it nose-high.
 
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