Why not spacers for small lift?

I have an 03 PreRunner Xcab and it looks like it is about time for some new shoes. I dont offroad per say, but I do travel some unmaintained/abused dirt roads. After rain, some of them are quite the challenge (Alabama red mud). I am currently running stock type "large car tires" as I call them, and am very unhappy. I want something in the 285/33" m/t area and see that a lift will be neccesary. But I see that alot of posters on this forum say to avoid spacer lifts. Why? Is this advice for serious offroaders? Or are spacer lifts just a bad idea? I dont need much articulation and do not abuse the suspension in any way. I just need a tad of clearance.

The reasoning for the larger tire is to reduce the torque just a tad at the ground. Not to mention that I love the way a Yota looks on 33's.

 

http://www.camburg.com/toyota/00-06-tundra/read-before-buy-spacer-lift/

 

I used to type out all the reasons that spacer lifts are bad for both on road and off road use, but then I found this link and it pretty much sums it up:

http://www.camburg.com/toyota/00-06-tundra/read-before-buy-spacer-lift/

Edit: damnit Oliver lol

 

@ KPT

 

@ ollie

 

I've been trying to train at night to get my quickness back....

 

Well you actually took the time to type a response so theoretically you would have beat me! Ill give you this one

+1 Keith!

 

whats this coddle you speak of?

 

Not trying to be an a$$ or start any crap, but ALL of our trucks are held off the ground with a bunch of $0.10 bolts... These can shear aLOT easier than a block of aluminum can be crushed...

Just sayin...

Thanks for the links guys. That's the info I was looking for. Now i know.
What would you suggest? I'm not looking for super duty ruggedness or extreme articulation. Just the clearance. Thanks again.

 

I wouldn't call lifting to fit 33's a small lift on a Taco.
Might even have to do some cutting and regear depending on what you have.

 

Why is that? It fits 265/75 stock. That translates to 31.65 inches. I have seen a stock Taco with 32's on it. Moving up 1 inch is as small a move up as I can see. I know that adding 1 inch in tire size will require more lift (thus wanting 3) to clear the larger tire turning radius.

Truck is totally stock. I've had it for 3 or 4 years, but have done nothing to it. Been waiting for the tires to wear out.

I've modded YJ Jeeps in the past but am new to modding my Yota.

I'm not looking for any exteme offraod performance, just better traction on wet unmaintained dirt roads and to cut down on the bottom end torque just a tad. I have to be very tender footed with the V6 to not start the wheelspin when it's wet.

 

touche' haha You got me on that one.
My point was merely that I am not looking to run the baja 500 or Crawl the Lions back in Moab and that spacers might be all I needed. I am unfamiliar with them as all of my offroad modding experience was years ago with leaf sprung YJ Jeeps. that's why I asked instead of assuming...

 

solid axle lifting is a lot different then dealing with IFS

 

So what do I need to do? Lift how much (for how much $$) or just lessen my ambitions to a 265/75 or 32" inch tire...
What are your thoughts on the lift provided by the Bilstein 5100 shocks. I realize that they are probaly not enought for 285/33"s, but they might make 265/32" alot more comfortable in the fenders.

 

The cheat I think would be to go 275's if you don't want to cut for clearance and you want to keep your flaps.
OZ-T started this thread and you might find it informative for what you are trying to do:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/191520-275-70-17-stock-sport-wheels.html

You will probably have to go at least 2-1/2" and add aftermarket UCA's if you want your caster adjustment restored.

Lift spring lift - best
Bilstein lift - good
Spacer lift - ghetto