Rear spacer/lift question

[Trdsupranick]

Hey Everyone!!!

I installed a front spacer leveling kit last winter. I love it but for some reason I feel I want the rear end up a bit more. I am planning on getting some sexy tires this coming up summer.

Does anyone have suggestions what I should use for the rear end?


I purchased 3/4 front spacers that made a 1.25" lift for the front. I looks great!!!

I want to raise the back end now...

Would 1" spacers be good? That would give the rear a 2" lift right?

I am not touching the front spacers again! I did not have fun installing those bad boys....let me tell you it was very difficult for me! There is not a lot of wiggle room especially with the XREAS still installed. I did not want to disconnect it. But my novice self with a good standby mechanic did it all in about 5-6 hours



Does anyone have a suggestion what I should use for the rear end lift???

 

[jlmilligan]

Check out this site. There is a lot of good info there. There is a steady supply of people selling used FJC springs for not much more than shipping. I got 3/4" out of doing just the rear springs.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Check out this site. There is a lot of good info there. There is a steady supply of people selling used FJC springs for not much more than shipping. I got 3/4" out of doing just the rear springs.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/

:iagree: w/the FJC spring suggestion. If you do decide to add spacers in the rear they are a one-for-one proposition. 1" of material = 1" of lift in the rear. Unlike the front there's no trig involved.

Many guys who have/had spacer lifts claim that when you approach a full 2" lift in the rear the ride gets pretty firm. Most who did Cornfed 2/1's or similar claim the ride is fine. The ones with 3/2's claim the back-end gets tight. I think (if I understand it correctly) shock length is part of issue and the stock springs just aren't up to it. Maybe FJC rear spings and some 1 or 1.5" rear spacers are the way to go.

Daystar makes a good rear spacer set-up I beleive.

For more read some of HB 4x4 posts and J.A.'s posts. The search engine is weak. The search by username works well.

:cheers:

:cheers:

 

[Trdsupranick]

so if i were to buy a set of 1" inch spacers for the rear.... I would in fact get 1" of lift.

if i buy 1" spacers for rear do i need replace my stock springs? I would prefer not.....what do you think?

 

[jlmilligan]

so if i were to buy a set of 1" inch spacers for the rear.... I would in fact get 1" of lift.

if i buy 1" spacers for rear do i need replace my stock springs? I would prefer not.....what do you think?

You are correct. 1" spacer = 1" lift. They mount on the top of your stock spring. Whether you install the spacer or new springs, the work load is the same. Use a floor jack and jack from your tow hitch to unload suspension, put jackstands under axle, remove both rear wheels, use coil spring compressors to shorten the coil and pull them out. Then put in new coils or existing coils with spacers. Reinstall wheels, let off jack and go for a ride. Drive in to drive out shouldn't take more than an hour or so.

 

[Trdsupranick]

I installed my front spacers all by myself lol!! I am not a Bob Villa when it comes to using tools...but I did it! Luckily, I had a good mechanic buddy on the sidelines giving complete instructions but i was doing the dirty work....

I have another question for ya...if you dont mind my stupidityness


IN YOUR OPINION...because I have installed the 3/4-->1.5" front leveling spacers..what would be the best spacer size for me to install in the rear??

Next summer I am going to buy some sexy new shoes for her..probably some Discoverer STT's

 

[jlmilligan]

IN YOUR OPINION...because I have installed the 3/4-->1.5" front leveling spacers..what would be the best spacer size for me to install in the rear??

Next summer I am going to buy some sexy new shoes for her..probably some Discoverer STT's

Do you do any towing with a heavy tongue weight? If so, then I would keep the back end a little higher. Otherwise, it is all personal preference. Mine is raised almost 2" more than the front and I think it looks pretty level. If I am on flat level pavement, it is real close to level, maybe a little nose low but it is hard to tell. If your front was raised 1.5" and it is still somewhat nose low, I would probably leave it. If you can get a good side pic, start a poll thread with 0", 1/2", and 1" votes.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I installed my front spacers all by myself lol!! I am not a Bob Villa when it comes to using tools...but I did it! Luckily, I had a good mechanic buddy on the sidelines giving complete instructions but i was doing the dirty work....

I have another question for ya...if you dont mind my stupidityness


IN YOUR OPINION...because I have installed the 3/4-->1.5" front leveling spacers..what would be the best spacer size for me to install in the rear??

Next summer I am going to buy some sexy new shoes for her..probably some Discoverer STT's

Something in the .75-1.0" would probably compliment your front-end lift nicely. When loaded with a modest amount of gear for a weekend of fun you'll end up level or with a slight nose down rake. What you have unloaded, as in right now, will probably be very similar to all loaded up with the one inch spacers assuming 350lbs of gear.

I have a 1.5"f/approx .75"r lift. I initially thought I gained less in the rear than I really did. You will see reference to less than 1/2" in the rear but that's not quite right. I recently measured against a stock 4wd and I am in 3/4-1.0" range with my Airlift1000 at min pressure and my FJC springs. Look at the pics in this thread.

I would also encourage you to consider alternatives as jlmilligan was hinting. A few members have the Airlift or Firestone airbag kit that goes in the springs. Running them at the minimum psi does lift a little bit (1/2" plus or minus) and when you load the vehicle you can compensate for a load and preserve ride height with a little pressure. As a lifting device they are not the greatest. You may be able to get a little over an inch but at high inflation and lightly loaded the ride will be tight.

The kits are cheap if you stay with manual fill. There's a neat install trick that enhances on-road handling and allows for some right to left levelling as well.

For the same money as the spacer you could probably find just rear FJC springs. I promise the thought of "too harsh" will never cross your mind with the FJC springs.

My point is 1" spacer would be ok but there may be another way to reach the goal that costs the same/similar and works better. If you drive mostly empty, don't tow etc then the simplicity of the spacer may be the right answer for you.

:cheers:

 

[Trdsupranick]

good info... thanks guys... i do tow a pair of jetskis to Norris Lake occasionally and tow 26" outboard down in FL.

I will take a side picture and post a POLL..

Thanks again!

 

[Falls]

If your going with just spacer look at the Daystar kit.
JA has them on his 4R and it has an excellent stance. www.top4runners.com he know the 4R's in and out !!! Great info on his site. Daystar is supposed to give a better ride than some spacer kit's , atleast thats what I've read.