Spacer size?

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I'm wanting to level off my 03 4runner. I've got X-REAS with the rear height adjust, so a lift is out of the question. I can still do a spacer lift on the front though. I'm wanting a level stance, and from what I've read the front sits 2 inches lower than the rear. I do very little off roading, so the mod would be for appearance only. Also, I do very little hauling, so compensating for that really isn't necessary. I've done a search and came up with a lot of good info on brands and such. However, I'm unsure on which one to get. My biggest question is how much net lift should I try to get? Any recommendations on which kit to achieve that? I've been getting so confused because some companies advertise spacer size and others lift size, and most don't mention which it is. Any suggestions here? Thanks a lot!

 

[4Runner8]

just get a 2.5'' toytec up front and that'll look nice. check it out>>>

http://www.toyteclifts.com/index.ph...ategory_id=72&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72

 

[paraordnance]

I'm wanting to level off my 03 4runner. I've got X-REAS with the rear height adjust, so a lift is out of the question. I can still do a spacer lift on the front though. I'm wanting a level stance, and from what I've read the front sits 2 inches lower than the rear. I do very little off roading, so the mod would be for appearance only. Also, I do very little hauling, so compensating for that really isn't necessary. I've done a search and came up with a lot of good info on brands and such. However, I'm unsure on which one to get. My biggest question is how much net lift should I try to get? Any recommendations on which kit to achieve that? I've been getting so confused because some companies advertise spacer size and others lift size, and most don't mention which it is. Any suggestions here? Thanks a lot!

I'm in a same boat as you and will be lifting front only. I measured difference between front and rear and its around 2 3/4 - 2 7/8" so 2.5" - 3" lift would be best. I ordered Daystar 2.5"
Nobody advertize spacer size from what I know. Its usually amount of lift you gain from installing spacer.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Please let me know how that Daystar works out for you. I've really looked at it, but keep thinking 2.5 may be too much.

 

[ToyTech99]

If you're just looking to bring the nose up a little bit to give it a little more level stance, then I suggest going with no more than 1.5" of lift in the front. Any more than that and the front will look higher than the back and your running boards will appear to be higher on the front side than the rear side.

Here's a picture of my 4Runner with a 1" front lift (which is a 1/2" spacer). Notice that there's still some rake, as the rear is a little higher than the front. This is the way I wanted to keep it. I considered going with a 1.25" lift (which is a 5/8" spacer), but I'm fine with just 1".

 

[ToyTech99]

Just for the sake of comparison, here's how my 4Runner looked before the lift (this is not a picture of mine, but the stance was the same):

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[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Huge difference! I'd prefer to get 1.25-1.5 inches of lift, but I've not been able to find a spacer to do that. Everything I've found is either 1 inch or two. Wheelers Off Road shows a Daystar kit that give 1.25, but I've not read good things on their measurements. There's a ton of discussion about whether it's a 1.25 lift or 1.25 spacer. Also, they don't even have that listed on their website, and from what I've read people have no luck at all with their customer service.

 

[progress4m]

.. Any suggestions here? Thanks a lot!

I am considering front lift as well… and here is my thoughts on it.
When I measure my truck at the running board, I can only see that front is about 1 3/8” higher.
Body shape of the 4Runner gives you appearance that rake is more than that but it is not.
Another prove to that are all pictures that I have seen on this board: if you put more than 1.5” on the front and no lift on the rear you can tell that truck seats either dead even or slightly higher on the front, again you need to pay attention to the floor board or running board line.

I tow, so like when truck seats higher on the rear with no load, therefore when I will do my lift I will use spacer or spacers that will not give me more than ½ “ difference height increase on the front versus rear. Actually, the lift I am looking for is 1.25” front and 1” rear.
I hope I can find one soon.

My $.02

 

[ToyTech99]

Huge difference! I'd prefer to get 1.25-1.5 inches of lift, but I've not been able to find a spacer to do that. Everything I've found is either 1 inch or two. Wheelers Off Road shows a Daystar kit that give 1.25, but I've not read good things on their measurements. There's a ton of discussion about whether it's a 1.25 lift or 1.25 spacer. Also, they don't even have that listed on their website, and from what I've read people have no luck at all with their customer service.

Cornfed will make you a 5/8" spacer (1.25" of lift) or you can just get their 1/2" spacer (1" of lift). Just keep in mind that you get double the amount of lift as the actual thickness of the spacer.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I spoke with a rep from Cornfed about getting a custom .75 inch spacer. However, he suggested I go not more than one inch to prevent issues with the height adjust system in the rear. I may end up going with the one inch, but I really think a slightly bigger one would look better. Thanks!

 

[chaz]

this is 2in. front only lift from adj. coilovers. the guys are right, when looking at the running boards, it might appear nose high, but with out them it looks fine. with the sliders, theres only 1/8-1/4 frt to rear differecence, which is almost unnoticable.

 

[ToyTech99]

Wow, that sure doesn't look like a 2" front lift. The rear is untouched? My 1" leveling lift looks more level than that!

 

[chaz]

as is , it sits at 36 in. frt, 37 & 1/4 rear, (taken on passenger side as shown), with 3/4 tank gas, stock spring, & rear airblift 1000 bags filled all the way. but i do have to say, that the bags added about 1 in. lift, & firmed up the ride just right (to me ) with the 5100 shocks. the front when i got it was under 34, so i know i gained 2 up there. i do have 265/70/17 that are at about 32 in. i did have the CF 1in. with stock suspension, but you can see why i went with the toytecs set at 2.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Haha, thats exactly what I'm scared of. I see some with a 1 inch spacer and it looks perfect, then others with the same spacer still have a big raked look. I don't mind shelling out the money for the kit, I just want to be certain the results are satisfactory.

 

[ToyTech99]

Haha, thats exactly what I'm scared of. I see some with a 1 inch spacer and it looks perfect, then others with the same spacer still have a big raked look. I don't mind shelling out the money for the kit, I just want to be certain the results are satisfactory.

Here's an easy way for you to solve your problem:

Park your 4Runner on level ground. Next, measure the distance from the ground to the wheel well opening, along the center line of the wheel. Now, get yourself a floor jack and lift up the front until you like how it looks. Then simply measure again and subtract your old measurement from your new measurement. Then all you have to do is get yourself a spacer that is exactly 1/2 the thickness of the difference. So if you like the vehicle raised 1.5" higher than it is now, just get yourself a .75" spacer and call it a day.

That's exactly what I did and I'm completely happy with my choice. Also keep in mind that there are variances between the stock ride height of different 4Runners, due to manufacturing tolerances. So a 1" spacer lift may look better on my 4Runner than it does on your 4Runner. That's why you need to lift up your front end and decide what looks best on your 4Runner. Once you figure that out, picking out the right spacer is a piece of cake.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Great idea, I'll do that! Are there any decent spacers out there between the 1 and 2 inch mark? I know I can get a Cornfed custom made, but I'd like to know if there are any other options. It'll be this weekend before I can get the measurements, but I'll see what I can do. I've also debated removing the running boards, but I've not decided on that yet. I like the look, but not all the frame that it revels. It just looks odd to me because so much of the frame is visible.

 

[ToyTech99]

I'm not sure how many different options there are, but like you said, you can always get a custom cut spacer from Cornfed. They aren't all that expensive and I like the fact that they are made out of aluminum instead of the poly spacers you see sometimes.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Well, I finally got a chance to measure it. With the ride height adjust set on neutral, there was just over 2 inches difference front/rear (closer to 2.25 I think). I measured from center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender. I'm really thinking about going for a total of 2 inches on the lift. I rarely do any towing or heavy hauling, so I really think a total of 2 inches will be perfect. Since this is pretty much gonna be a purely cosmetic mod (don't plan to off road at all) and is on a daily driver, are there any major downsides to going with the 2 inch lift (1 inch thick spacer)? I know there will be increased wear on the rig, but will it be greatly accelerated? Thanks!

 

[ToyTech99]

A 1" spacer (that gives you 2" of lift) will most likely give you a slightly nose high stance. The bottom of your 4Runner (or your running boards, if you still have them on) will probably appear higher in the front and lower in the rear. Of course this depends upon your particular 4Runner, but most that I've seen look a bit too high in the front. There's a guy who has pictures of his 4Runner with a .75" spacer (1.5" of lift) and I think that's as high as I'd go myself because even his 4Runner seemed a tiny bit nose high from certain angles.

But to answer your question, I'd say that any spacer has a small potential to cause excess wear on ball joints and other suspension components. So obviously the bigger the spacer, it makes sense that you'd cause more of this wear. That's my opinion on the matter, others may differ.

 

[4Runner8]

jsut get a full lift trust me it looks better than leveling it see for your self .
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