Lift kit spacers???

Listen I just got my new SR5 last month, I play mostly in a modified Jeep but was wanting to lift my new Tacoma 4x4 up for a little off road, and raise her up about 3" for better tires and clearance. When I was looking at lift kits that I want there 3" in the front and then in the rear 0", 1", 2", or 3" and in you guys pictures, and modifications I see the same thing but they all look level. My Tacoma just needs to go up 2" in the front to be level, so if I go 3" in the front and 1" in the rear have I got her level, or sagging one way or the other? Sorry guys but this my first Toyota Tacoma and I just started on her and am confused.

 

• First off don't get spacers... why make your new tacoma ride worse than a jeep lol
• second everyone is different but in theory your right as far as your heights
• going above 2.5in your going to need UCA

 

So I need to just go with better uca's and the shocks and springs for the lift. Sorry this is all new on a Tacoma to me, but I Love this thing so far, and am still getting impressed by it.

 

don't do what i did. do it right the first time .



http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Complete-Lift-Kits_c_294.html

 

I find it confusing when people say "don't do a spacer lift" it will ruin the ride. I've done both. With my experience, the only thing that changes the ride is......well......anything but a spacer. true, if go over 2.5 you will need uca's. There are only a few people ( very few ) that wont bash a spacer. I just dont get it.

 

Thanks "Johnny2525" I would just like to put some larger tires 265/75 R16's, and raise the nose a little kinda get her level and 2.25 lift on the nose will do both, I really just want to drive my Tacoma.

 

Make that 2 of us.....I just put a spacer kit on a buddies truck. It rides IDENTICAL to what it did BEFORE the kit was installed. Same suspension, just moved the strut down a bit....It raised his truck 3-1/4" and the alignment shop was able to get it to stock specs without changing the UCA's. I did new shocks, coils, etc, on my truck and it'll rattle your teeth on a concrete highway.

I think MOST people who bash spacers are just parroting what they hear the next guy say.... And there's an elitist attitude with many....."The more I spend the better it must be" just isn't always the case.

We spaced the bump stops closer to the control arms an equal amount as the strut spacers on my buddies truck. He has had it off road a few times without issues. This guy can break an anvil with a feather. If there are no issues with his spacer kit, I don't see it being nearly as "evil" as most portray them to be. If all you're after is 2" or 2-1/2" of lift and you're on a budget, they are just fine in my book.

 

I have a similar truck as yours, same great color and all

I just put bilstein 5100 up front, set at zero, with 885 springs. I am a 4x4 also. Also did new Light Racing UCAs up front. In the rear i did new 5100 shocks, and deaver single AAL. I was on the threshold of needing new UCAs, as the 885 springs claim a 2.5" lift up front. I got them anyways, just to ensure great drivability and alignment. I did get a great alignment, great numbers, and she drives and tracks great. I got 2-1/4" - 3" in front day of lift, last weekend, I still need to remeasure to see if she settled a bit. This setup put me near level, maybe a little rake. I am getting high beamed in the morning driving in to work, so it is less rake than stock. Another option would be 884 coils, supposedly a 2" lift spring, you most likely could do this without new UCAs. I got all my stuff through Marie @ Headstrong, TW vendor, great service, she will answer all your questions, and give great pricing. I may add a 1" block in the rear to get some rake back. All in all, out the door, shipped, and shocks and springs put together it was just under $1050.00. You can save +/-$350 if no UCAs. Let me know if any questions at all, I just went through it, and did the install myself.

 

EXACTLY. I see a lot of that. Mostly people who have zero first hand experience with the product they're bashing.

 

Sorry don't mean to high jack your thread but what are thoughts on getting spacers if all I want is a couple inches of lift and I will almost never do any serious off-roading?

 

I installed the 3" front and 2" rear spacers a couple of months ago just because I like the look. I don't go off road and when I need new tires I will probably go from the stock 265/65 R17 to 265/70 R17's. I have not had the truck aligned since doing the lift and it steers straight as an arrow. The Supreme Suspension kit included 1" spacers to lower the sway bar mounts and also spacers to drop the transfer case and belly pan. The truck sits basically level now and the ride is the same as before the lift. I'm very happy with the results and all for about $250.

 

I installed 1.5" spacers and it didn't change my ride at all.My friend did a front end alignment and everything is "spot on".Now my truck sits perfectly level!!

Don't be scared of spacers unless you're planning on jumping dirt mounds and rock climbing stuff.

 

I had a spacer on the front and rear and my truck rode like shit. Then again, I have a base model and the stock suspension was complete shit.

 

You can't expect a lift of any description to actually improve the ride.

 

I wasn't expecting it to. I just got tired of it, fast!

 

Spacers are fine for mall crawling (That's pretty much what I do ). I had a Daystar 2.5" kit and it rode the same as the stock setup. I had 100k miles on my coils and shocks, so the quality was garbage anyway. I just had that mentality that I was going to snap a shock considering the amount of pot holes around here. So, I went Bilstein 5100's all around and haven't regretted it. You can do as you please, but I like having the satisfaction of knowing that I won't snap a shock! (As easily)

 

Thanks!!! Y'all have answered my questions, and helped me make up my mind. Thanks Again!

 

Using spacers is a cheap way to lift your rig and it is not a bad method, though it won't give the best ride characteristic. I suggest that you get a suspension lift-- http://4wheelonline.com/Suspension_Lift_Kits.24 especially if you are planning to do some offroad adventure.

 

What do you mean by best ride characteristic?

 

My comment was never to address how good or bad the ride is with a spacer lift. Only to point out that it's not going to CHANGE the ride. If it already rides like shit.....It will continue to ride like shit.