Stacking Spacers - Good Idea?

[keitht253]

First of all, I'm looking to modestly lift the front of my 4th gen 4runner. I've seen the daystar 1" front leveling budget spacers, which provide about 2" of lift, correct? It seems like this might be a bit much and may cause my rear end to appear to sag. I also found the Cornfed spacers that provide 1.5" of lift but $130 is a bit pricey for me.

I'm looking at the Toytec spacers that provide 3/4" lift (which are 3/8" thick, I assume), and the 1/4" (spacer thickness - 1/2" lift) spacer that they offer. I'm wondering, can I go ahead and get the 3/4" lift now for $60 and if I want to lift the front a bit more, add the $20/each 1/4" spacers later? Basically, would it be okay to stack two spacers on top of each other (for a total spacer thickness of 5/8" - provided, of course, the nuts could still screw onto the extended studs provided with the 3/4" lift kit with the added 1/4" spacer)?

This may just be too much trouble to go through, but I think it's an interesting question in general that I haven't found an answer to yet.

Alternatively, if I just save up and go ahead with the Cornfed spacers, does anyone know if the 1.5" (lift-producing) Cornfed spacers will truly level the front end (and not make it appear taller than the rear)? Also, would these spacers be top-out only, preload only, or a mix? The options menu on their website isn't very clear.

I'm pretty sure the daystar front lift would be a bit too much at 2", and I'd like to stay away from the 2.5/1.5 leveling kit as I'm happy with the rear height. I only want to adjust the front height. Are there any spacers out there that I'm missing, perhaps even cheaper ones, that provide a 1" to 1.5" lift up front?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

That Toytec spacer listed at 3/4" will give 1" lift. I actually looked into that option when I did my lift. I spoke with Toytec and they said it can be done, but it wasn't advised. It will work, but after speaking with the rep I chose option 1 listed below. You can have too much lift from a topout style spacer. Here are the two options I'd consider personally.
1) Front/Rear coils from a 07-09 FJ Cruiser combined with a Toytec spacer (1/2" or 1/4" thick spacer depending on your 4runner). This will provide you with about 1.5" lift front and a very slight amount in the rear (.25"-.5")
2) Use a 3/4" spacer. You can read on here the difference between preload vs topout if you're not familiar with that. Many don't like preload spacers, but from those I've talked to the ride is just as good as before. Here is a more affordable option for a 3/4" spacer, kicker is it's a preload.

 

[keitht253]

That Toytec spacer listed at 3/4" will give 1" lift. I actually looked into that option when I did my lift. I spoke with Toytec and they said it can be done, but it wasn't advised. It will work, but after speaking with the rep I chose option 1 listed below. You can have too much lift from a topout style spacer. Here are the two options I'd consider personally.
1) Front/Rear coils from a 07-09 FJ Cruiser combined with a Toytec spacer (1/2" or 1/4" thick spacer depending on your 4runner). This will provide you with about 1.5" lift front and a very slight amount in the rear (.25"-.5")
2) Use a 3/4" spacer. You can read on here the difference between preload vs topout if you're not familiar with that. Many don't like preload spacers, but from those I've talked to the ride is just as good as before. Here is a more affordable option for a 3/4" spacer, kicker is it's a preload.

Hi Ark_Swamp_Rider,

Thanks for the helpful response! I am familiar with the difference between preload and topout - so the 3/4" spacer from Toytec is a topout? I'd like to stay away from preload spacers if I can help it. In fact, I originally really wanted a solution that wouldn't require me to disassemble the coilover assembly, but unless I get the 2.5/1.5 kit from daystar, I don't think that will happen.

The FJ Cruiser spring swap sounds like a good option too. I'll have to look into that. Have there been any issues with ride quality or the life of the shocks after putting FJ springs on? Would it be possible/desirable to put the FJ springs only on the front and keep the rear the same? I take it the FJ springs themselves will provide about an inch of lift up front?

Thanks,
Keith

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I do not have rear springs on my 4runner, I have the OEM air bags in the rear. I swapped only the fronts and now there is a noticeable difference in ride quality front/rear. If you are going to do the swap, do both front and rear. The FJ springs improve the ride a good bit. Bumps in the road are much less noticeable. I've had my FJ springs on for about a year and a half and 20k miles, no negative effects to date. I just swapped shocks, but that was by choice, not because mine were shot. How much lift you get depends on your 4runner. If it's a v6 or 2wd, expect ~1". If it's a v8 4wd, expect .5". If it's a v6 2wd, expect over 1". Based on that, choose the spacer accordingly. Check the link in my sig (last one) for a list of those who've done the swap, their setup, and also their lift amounts.

You are right, the 3/4" Toytec is a topout (as are most spacers being produced now).

 

[keitht253]

I do not have rear springs on my 4runner, I have the OEM air bags in the rear. I swapped only the fronts and now there is a noticeable difference in ride quality front/rear. If you are going to do the swap, do both front and rear. The FJ springs improve the ride a good bit. Bumps in the road are much less noticeable. I've had my FJ springs on for about a year and a half and 20k miles, no negative effects to date. I just swapped shocks, but that was by choice, not because mine were shot. How much lift you get depends on your 4runner. If it's a v6 or 2wd, expect ~1". If it's a v8 4wd, expect .5". If it's a v6 2wd, expect over 1". Based on that, choose the spacer accordingly. Check the link in my sig (last one) for a list of those who've done the swap, their setup, and also their lift amounts.

You are right, the 3/4" Toytec is a topout (as are most spacers being produced now).

Sounds good! I'm looking into the FJ springs now, and actually just read your write-up on them. I have a v6 4wd so I'll expect 1" and probably order the 1/4" spacers just in case. Any tips on the best place to find these springs? I've found some on craigslist but they're far away and I don't know how willing people on craigslist are to ship stuff. Thanks!

 

[progress4m]

If you have an access to machine shop another option is to buy DS lift and cut it (customize it). This is what I did to save some $. Material that is used by DS can be easily machined. My friend that did it for me said it was very easy to work on it.
On the end I got the lift I wanted and it cost me around $220.00 including lifetime wheel alignment (obviously I install it myself).

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Post a WTB ad on FJ Cruiser Forums and you should get offers pretty quick. I got mine from there for free, just paid shipping. I had less than $100 in my lift setup (FJ springs + 3/4" Toytec spacer). Even if it cost more, the ride improvement is worth it to me, plenty of other folks on here will tell you that as well.

 

[keitht253]

Post a WTB ad on FJ Cruiser Forums and you should get offers pretty quick. I got mine from there for free, just paid shipping. I had less than $100 in my lift setup (FJ springs + 3/4" Toytec spacer). Even if it cost more, the ride improvement is worth it to me, plenty of other folks on here will tell you that as well.

Wow, that's awesome. Thanks for the idea, I just posted an ad over there so hopefully I get some good news soon. Thanks again for your help!

 

[keitht253]

If you have an access to machine shop another option is to buy DS lift and cut it (customize it). This is what I did to save some $. Material that is used by DS can be easily machined. My friend that did it for me said it was very easy to work on it.
On the end I got the lift I wanted and it cost me around $220.00 including lifetime wheel alignment (obviously I install it myself).

Hey progress4m, thanks for the tip! I think I'm going to try the FJ spring route (due to the improved ride quality that comes along with them) but if that doesn't pan out, this option seems like the next best. I can't see it being too much $ to make the daystar 1" budget spacers a bit thinner.