Tough Decision: Shocks/Springs or Spacer lift

[eastlakeqb4]

2007 SR5 4Runner with P265/70R18 Nitto Crosstek Tires. I need a front lift to level it out with the rear and also give me more ground clearance. I recently purchased 2" front spacers but a buddy gave me Taco TRD Blistien shocks and Taco front springs. I have no idea what I should install, the spacer will give me a net 4" lift which would be great but I've heard the shocks+springs only give 1.25-1.5 (net 3") and a better ride. If I were to install front shocks+springs would the effect the ride b/c stock springs on the rear? Or should I just stick with the spacer? If I do stick with the spacer I plan on getting a rear 1" spacer. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

[Xrider237]

unless im mistaken your front spacers will net you a 2" lift, which is what you want- that will give you a nice leveled out lift- you wouldnt want a 4" lift in the front anyway- you will run into issues for sure

i also believe your taco shock/spring setup will not give you 3"- not sure how much but maybe a small bump up from stock...they will be compatible with stock rear shocks and springs

also for the rear spacer- i think you have to custom order a 1" spacer

 

[eastlakeqb4]

Somebody on the forum said front spacers double lift height but I'm not 100% sure and there is a 1" rear spacer that my buddy would sell to me, but what do you think would work best?

 

[Xrider237]

that was me that said that a 1" spacers nets close to 2"- rear spacers are an even conversion- there are 1" rear spacers but afaik you need to custom order one (or any size not available off the shelf for that matter)

i cant say for certain what i would recommend- if i were you, i would read through ASR's excellent suspension sticky and see what you come across

- im not aware of a 2" front spacer that nets a 4" lift- i dont think thats a good idea at all and anyone who wants that much lift would not want it acheived via spacer

edit: i just reread your OP and you need to remember that the 'double the lift' only applies to spacers, not shocks/springs- i think the taco trd shocks and springs would be a great lift amount without stressing the suspension whatsoever

 

[eastlakeqb4]

Ok heres a better question could I do taco springs with stock shock and put the spacer on?

 

[Xrider237]

...IF the shocks/springs from the taco are not high mileage worn out units, i would just go with those and get ~1.5" - thats more lift than you might think and imho would look great with stock rear shock/springs...but i think it would look even better with a 1" spacer in the back- i think thats a nice lift w/o getting too involved

if you want more lift than that in the front, then maybe add a 1/2" spacer for an additional 1" lift for a total of ~2.5...adding 2 more inches (w your 1" spacers) on top of the taco springs is too much...you can pick up spacers cheap

 

[eastlakeqb4]

Ok thank you for the input! Appreciate it!

 

[Xrider237]

whats the mileage on your T4R and your buddy's taco?? that is what might make your decision

 

[Xrider237]

whats the mileage on your T4R and your buddy's taco?? that is what might make your decision

and are you looking for a lift just for visual appeal (nothing wrong w that) or are you looking for performance upgrade??

 

[wnelax04sr5]

so im gonna reply to this without even reading your post, so bear with me here.

you need to ask yourself some questions first
1. what is my intended use/desired result?
2. how long do i plan on keeping my vehicle?
3. how many miles on my stock suspension?

if you just want looks, spacers are probably gonna do it. if you want looks and performance, id go with full suspension. i did spacers and regretted it, it rides much better with new equipment and looks better too. i think the spacer v. suspension question shouldn't even exist, buy once cry once, id go full suspension

 

[themuffinman619]

My ten cents... Since you're gonna be tearing into the front suspension, if the trd struts have less mileage, then I would swap for that. IMO, the trd shocks give a better ride than the stock black shocks. And afterwards, if you feel you need a little more lift, you can always add a spacer on top. Whatever you do, DO NOT get a spacer that requires you to preload the stock strut. Get a spacer that stacks on top of the strut assembly.

 

[cpark_12]

My ten cents... Since you're gonna be tearing into the front suspension, if the trd struts have less mileage, then I would swap for that. IMO, the trd shocks give a better ride than the stock black shocks. And afterwards, if you feel you need a little more lift, you can always add a spacer on top. Whatever you do, DO NOT get a spacer that requires you to preload the stock strut. Get a spacer that stacks on top of the strut assembly.

This! I have the setup you're looking at on my truck now. Trd taco front shocks and springs with a 1" spacer on top. I got a total of about 3.5" of lift with a v8 4x4. Visually, it looks great and it does ride great, but offroading, it leaves a little tip be desired.

 

[eastlakeqb4]

The taco shocks and springs only have 15k miles on them compared to my shocks and springs with 110k.. but If I installed the taco shocks and springs what type of spacer would I use to get that extra little bit of lift?

 

[Xrider237]

i would jump on that trd shock/spring combo....esp when you consider mileage of both rigs...

i would suggest a 1" rear spacer- which one do you already have??

 

[themuffinman619]

You can get a front billet spacer on eBay for around $40 depending on size. If you go less than 1.5" spacer you'll have to shave your top studs a little. My front suspension goes like this: tacoma TRD shocks, moog fj coils, and a 1" billet spacer. Gained close to 3" of lift in the front.

 

[eastlakeqb4]

I decided to go with just the 2" front spacer for now until I get a rear spacer to go along with the taco shock and spring

 

[Xrider237]

if you are gonna go through the whole process of installing front spacers, you should the trd shocks/springs...its a much better option, esp cause the units are low mileage & your buddy is giving them to you...the rear will be fine until you get a spacer- and thats a quick install compared to the front

 

[Mesofluk]

Just wondering regarding spacer lifts, for example: this add shows a Daystar lift for front and rear. It says a 2.5" front and 1.5" rear

Would this net me 2.5" In the front or 5" since I've seen posts that a 1" lift will give you 2"?

What are your thoughts? Has anyone used these or are these too high??

 

[Xrider237]

the 2.5/1.5 is the actual lift amount- if you look through the stickies you will see JA's T4R using this exact setup- iirc he said he gained close to 3" in the front- some get a little more or little less depending

this is a popular spacer lift, but its about the max you want to go if its all you want to install

 

[Mesofluk]

the 2.5/1.5 is the actual lift amount- if you look through the stickies you will see JA's T4R using this exact setup- iirc he said he gained close to 3" in the front- some get a little more or little less depending

this is a popular spacer lift, but its about the max you want to go if its all you want to install

Due to cost, I think this would be a great start using this spacer lift. Further down the road I'll upgrade the suspension so I wouldn't need these spacer lifts.

I'll try and find a pic of JA's T4R so I can compaire.