Ok, Which Spacer Kit and Why?

[Even Steven]

not to rain on your parade friend, but you did NOT gain any ground clearance with your leveling kit. nor did I with my OME.

what you are gaining, or hoping to is wheel travel. A stock t4r and a t4r with an OME or Ds or CF setup are all the same BASICALLY (in a clearance sense) , they all offer you more wheel/tire travel with the same amt of ground clearance.

Personally I think its foolish to get a spacer kit for $200+ when a new susp. consistiing of NEW shocks and springs is an option for $700+/-.
However, for he who just wants the LOOK of offroad, then spacers are great.

$0.02

Actually, I did gain ground clearance with my leveling kit. It is true that the rear diff is the same height off the ground, and so are the lower control arms up front, but I did gain an inch of clearance as measured under the front skid plates. In fact, I gained slightly more than an inch when I measured it afterwards.

A front leveling kit can be had for $110 shipped. I should know because I've sold several leveling kits to members of this forum.

BTW, this has nothing to do about wanting to "look" offroad. To me, it's a good upgrade because it gets the front end up where it should have been in the first place....on road or off road has nothing to do with it. But rest assured, my 4Runner gained slightly more than an inch of clearance under the front end. There' no debating that, as I made before and after measurements.

 

[Even Steven]

This is my first post and am interested in the CF 1" leveling kit. I will not be going offroad on any kind of trails, I just want a more level look. I debated back and forth between the 2/1 lift and 1" leveling kits and I think I have decided on the leveling. Who here has these two kits? I have read that the ride doesn't change but is there any noise from the aluminum spacers?

I am also going to get a Westin bull bar. Which lift will look better with that? I don't want to go too high because this is my wifes daily driver and she has final say so!!

Look at the thread below for information and before & after pics of my 4Runner with a 1" leveling kit installed.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28234&highlight=leveling+lift

 

[simple]

Argh! I'm stuck between a 2/1 or 1in leveling lift. I'm worried about losing the nice ride on my 4runner, noise, sagging, all that jazz. I don't really ever plan to do some heavy off roading, some trails would be fun though. As far as sagging, can the springs be replaced, if I keep my runner to that point? And if I ever need to sell it, can I take off the lift and attain that factory look?

 

[Even Steven]

Argh! I'm stuck between a 2/1 or 1in leveling lift. I'm worried about losing the nice ride on my 4runner, noise, sagging, all that jazz. I don't really ever plan to do some heavy off roading, some trails would be fun though. As far as sagging, can the springs be replaced, if I keep my runner to that point? And if I ever need to sell it, can I take off the lift and attain that factory look?

Of course you can... the fix for sag is always replace the springs. You've got to remember that springs are what determines ride height, so if they are old and sagging, you can simply replace them and be back to normal ride height.

As for the spacers.... they come out just as easily as they go in, so you can remove them and sell them down the road if you want.... and your 4Runner will be back to normal.

 

[wifesrunner]

I love the 1" kit Even Steven. I wish I had read this thread before I ordered the Cornfed kit!! I would have bought the 5/8" spacers from you. I wouldn't have minded the extra 1/4" in the front. Oh well! Now I am ordering the westin ultimate bull bar and I am trying to figure out which lights to go with. Anyone have any suggestions for lights that fit in the bar (6" round) and look pretty good. I am leaning towards the Hella 500 possibly?? Thanks for all the info guys. Already love the forum!!

 

[gflurry]

I've been very happy with my 2/1 lift. Almost no difference in ride or handling. Slightly stiffer in back going over speed bumps, but no other noticeable changes. Let me know if you have any questions. I had a hard time deciding, but have no regrets now. JA has some good points about the Daystar. Can't go wrong either way.

I'm grateful for many good opinions on this site. Thanks!!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I have the Daystar lift and I am happy with it. I got it on Ebay several years ago brand new from a guy who bought it and never used it for $100 shipped. A spacer lift is not rocket science any of the spacer lifts will be fine. I do go off road and really like the added clearance.

 

[keylay31]

I do go off road and really like the added clearance.

Common misconception. There is no added clearance. It is simply a visual upgrade or a functional upgrade to allow bigger tires (which can increase clearance, but no clearance is added from the kit itself)

 

[03_4x4Runner]

The clearance under the rear axle is the same but I definately do not drag on the rocks like when stock. It was very easy to high center on the gas tank, hit the hitch going through washed out areas and hit the front skid plate without the lift. I can do trails now that I would not even consider when stock.

 

[keylay31]

The clearance under the rear axle is the same...

I definately do not drag on the rocks like when stock. It was very easy to high center on the gas tank, hit the hitch going through washed out areas and hit the front skid plate without the lift. I can do trails now that I would not even consider when stock.

How do these two match up? I don't see how you could have the same clearance but increase your ability without increasing clearance!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If you off roading on flat ground with big tire ruts it would not make a difference. In the desert where I off road the land is anything but level. Suppose you have to cross a mound of rocks 2' tall approx 4' long with steep angles to get on and off of it. Without a lift the overhang on the front of the vehicle will hit below the bumper before the tires hit the rocks. Once the front tires are on the rocks you will be ok until the front tires go off the other side of the rocks. Now the gas tank and undercarrige will hit and may get all the tires of the ground (hi centered). If you can continue as the rear tires go off the rocks your hitch and spare tire will drag on the rocks. A lift will keep clearance between the vehicle and the rocks. Believe me it is day and night difference. Rocks are very unforgiving and can cause a lot of damage. I use my 4runner on easier trails and have my Jeep and atv's for the hard core trails. I also remove my running boards as these are easily damaged in the rocks. 2 or 3 inches of lift may not sound like much but it really makes a difference in the rough stuff. This picture does not show my lift and BFG tires.

 

[wifesrunner]

Basically, what he is saying is these spacer lifts lift the body, not the axles. I just raised the front up 1 1"4" and can tell a difference. Ground clearence to the axles aren't changed, but ground clearence to the body/chassis is increased.

 

[tamiyatim]

I found a pretty similar lift to the daystar on ebay... hell of a lot cheaper too... Leveling Solutions... free shipping too....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyo...ryZ33585QQihZ017QQitemZ270259989923QQtcZphoto

 

[tamiyatim]

Even better... 2.25 inch, steel welded spacers...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-0...013QQitemZ230276789012QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[keylay31]

Now remember I don't know anything about anything...

But I wouldn't go cheap on a $30k vehicle... Esp when spacers are so cheap!

 

[Falls]

Now remember I don't know anything about anything...

But I wouldn't go cheap on a $30k vehicle... Esp when spacers are so cheap!

Hey , where have you been ? Hope all is well.

Agree , don't skimp.

As far as clearance , not under the rear axle unless you run bigger tires , but wouldn't the underbelly ( if you want to call it that ) have more clearance ?

keylay , has your lift been trouble free , you had it on for a while . How many miles under the lift ?

And no I still have not done S**T !!! Having a hard time getting in to get new tires put on....lol.

 

[audiqtr]

Personally I think its foolish to get a spacer kit for $200+ when a new susp. consistiing of NEW shocks and springs is an option for $700+/-.
However, for he who just wants the LOOK of offroad, then spacers are great.

$0.02

Ohhhhhhhhhh...Snappppp !!!!

jk.. I agree though, do it once, do it right...

 

[boston_kevin]

I think it depends on a lot more than just cost. Sure spacers are more cost effective, but what it you only want a mild lift as this is also a daily driver? 3" lift (minimum for springs) is overkill for a daily driver. So what about coilovers you say? Sure, but why would I want to rebuild my suspension every couple of years. Spacers afford some people the insurance a little extra height provides without being overkill or creating a maintenance issue.

I agree springs are the best replacement, but I have only found one height for replacement springs... 3" ..which is more than I need or want for now.

 

[hotskillet98]

I have an 07. I'd probably be lifting only for cosmetic puposes and to accomodate a slightly larger tire. Would the daystar be overkill?

 

[chaz]

lift

had the cornfed 1 in. front lift & didnt think it was enough height & still left me with the way too soft shocks & springs,(no X) soi installed the new toytec ajustable coilovers (eibach springs/bilstein shocks) from fat bobs. & raised my front 2. its still 3/4 of an in.lower than the rear & a much improved ride (no nose dive) what ever you decide, dont cheap out. that way you can change the height later if you decide to add more front end weight (brush guard,etc.)ive had lifted jeeps & trucks since the early 70s ( i use to 4 wheel alot) & never had any suspenion problems (never had to fix or rebuild) except replacing worn or blown shocks from wheelin. i do have a dayster 2in front lift, (new) you can have it but it will raise your frt. more than you want. good luck.