I recently lifted my '10 SR5, I went the cheap route and installed spacers front and rear, for more ground clearence and for bigger tires. ( Huge Mistake) My rear suspenion now makes a "Smacking" sound when i go any faster than a crawl over bumps. An the whole point of me lifting was so i would not bottum out anymore up in the woods during hunting season! The off road ride is Unbarrebale, I cant take it anymore. I have absoultey no down travel anymore compared to stock. Is there a CHEAP, way i could fix this problem? Would longer rear shocks help? Any and all suggestions would be greatly apprecaited
Spacers Causing Suspenion MAX Out????
- Thread starter Brayt4r10
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Gerdo
New member
Good news, the proper length shocks should cure your topping out issue.
Bad news, (if the spacers you used mount on top of the front coil/shock combo) the spacers on the front will allow the front wheels to droop beyond their designed point. This excessive droop could cause the CVs to over extend and which could cause binding or even pull apart at full droop.
Bad news, (if the spacers you used mount on top of the front coil/shock combo) the spacers on the front will allow the front wheels to droop beyond their designed point. This excessive droop could cause the CVs to over extend and which could cause binding or even pull apart at full droop.
G.I.G.
New member
Unfortunately you found out the hard way that the spacer lift (especially when doing a full 3/2 spacer lift) is can over travel your suspension, especially when going off road. The spacer lift is affordable and good if you're just looking for a cosmetic lift and plan on keeping it on the pavement, but that's about it. Since you do some hunting and perhaps find yourself off road from time to time, I would definitely consider a true suspension lift.
Like Gerdo mentioned, you should be able to address the situation with new shocks. If you have the money, I'm a big advocate of the OME suspension. My personal opinion is that the Overland Warehouse, Icon, Fox, etc. adjustable coilovers are overkill (not to mention expensive) for what most people realistically use their 4Runner for. Coming in comfortably south of $1k, the OME suspension will get you the lift you want in a true, off-road capable setup.
OME full suspension -- Click here for details - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
At some point, I would also recommend the Light Racing UCA's, but I would start by ditching the spacers. Best of luck.
Like Gerdo mentioned, you should be able to address the situation with new shocks. If you have the money, I'm a big advocate of the OME suspension. My personal opinion is that the Overland Warehouse, Icon, Fox, etc. adjustable coilovers are overkill (not to mention expensive) for what most people realistically use their 4Runner for. Coming in comfortably south of $1k, the OME suspension will get you the lift you want in a true, off-road capable setup.
OME full suspension -- Click here for details - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
At some point, I would also recommend the Light Racing UCA's, but I would start by ditching the spacers. Best of luck.
Balcs1
New member
brockeverly
New member
I made the same mistake, ended up with an OME kit. We almost all have done it. Buy an OME kit and don't look back!
flying fuzz
Member
OME here as well, and also wouldn't look back. Paid $807 shipped for the kit and Toyota did the install for $460. If I hadn't been lazy I could have saved that $460...
NorthWest 4R
New member
While others just recommend buying X'Y'Z here, I would see if something is not right with the install. Of course it is easier to just whip out some more $$$ and buy a quality lift (in that case, screw the OME and go with KINGS), but if you are not doing any hard core offroading and really pushing the 4R's limits and just cruising trail's and logging roads, then a simple spacer lift should be fine for you. What kit did you buy? Also, with a spacer lift you have less UP travel than anything, not less down travel.
FactoryRide
New member
I've had my spacer kit on since April/May and am already planning on dumping it and going with either Toytec or OME. Haven't decided yet.
Gerdo
New member
I read "less down travel" as "less droop". Topping out.
This would be true of spring spacers and/or longer coils with stock length shocks.
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Qjake
New member
Did you replace the rear shocks when you installed the spacers?
You're not bottoming out you are topping out, with OEM length shocks they can't extend long enough to compensate the spacer. Buy the correct shocks for the rear and you'll be good to go.
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G.I.G.
New member
You can always buy the OME Nitrocharger shocks, then buy the springs when you get the money if you decide to go down the OME route. People here seem to really like the Bilstein shocks as well.
I'm pretty sure the upper ball joints are the limiting factor for front droop. New coilovers would be your best bet though. I'va had bilsteins on all 4 as well as ARB's OME suspension on all 4. They are both great and ZERO maintenance.
brockeverly
New member
Seems to be par for the course. Spacer lifts suck us in because they are inexpensive, but the cons tend to be enough for some to drop them. Plenty go with spacer lifts and never change a thing as they are fine, but they do create their own limitations. You can solve this by replacing your rear shocks with OME's so you have the additional travel. A huge benefit to swap everything out is going to be a smoother ride and no nosedive when braking. The OME kits are awesome, no maintenance and are torture tested.
adam2562
New member
well this is a blower for me... i was planning on doing the Daystar 2.5" lift soon.. i honestly haven't heard of many horror stories from spacers.. i've put them on my friends f150 and seen many others with them... sounds like something could be loose or just faulty... what brand spacers did you use? thanks!
adam2562
New member
i went and looked at the OME setups.. that crap is confusing to understand.. i was thinking of doing 885 coils up FRONT to help with the nose-dive even though it says for 70-180 lbs heavier up front. and as for the REAR i would do the 2889 coils with the 60080shocks.. but.. so would that mean i'd get 3" lift in the front and 3" in the rear still giving me a rake? if so.. does that mean i could add a SPACER up front to level it out? or should i go with the toytec rear coil with a 60020 shock for a 2" lift in the rear.. and when do i need the diff drop kit.. after 2" or 3"
you guys have got me looking into going the OME route vs spacers route...thanks guys :thanks:
you guys have got me looking into going the OME route vs spacers route...thanks guys :thanks:
