EXPLAIN WHY SPACER AND BLOCK LIFTS ARE CONSIDERED SO INFERIOR TO OTHER 3" LIFTS (all Gens)

Just finished watching the series finally of Sons of Anarchy for the 2nd time. Watched it as it aired the 1st time a couple years back. While watching it something odd popped into my head.
Just why are spacer and block lifts considered so inferior for 90%+ of Tacoma World users?
Now I'm only talking 2.5" inch lifts here which can be aligned back into factory spec. Not 3-4 or 6 inch lifts where new upper control arms are needed or a drop bracket. Just your standard 3" lift which actually equates to about 2.5 inches in the front and 1" inch in the rear.
So let's start by saying I am ready for all the shit that is headed my way and I am a grown man and can take it. Ban me from TW or whatever I want an answer.

• For 80%-90% of TW users why would not a spacer and block lift serve every purpose for less than half the cost of a new coil over (5100)? And for most people an add a leaf or new rear spring package? Their purpose is to add 1-2" larger tires for improved ground clearance for light OR use. And to improve the appearance of their truck.

We buy our Tacoma's for various reasons. One being its reliability. Does adding a good quality 1" spacer (approximately) above its factory front Coil-over struts (Bilstein for the most part) take away from its reliability? We trust its CV joints its axles its tie-rods etc. after we add lifts. Why can we not trust its shocks extended down by 1"? Yes, I agree the tire and wheel location is outside factory spec but so is it with a set of 5100 installed. So why the bad spacer rap?

• Same goes for the rear. Does a 1" block (normally 2.5" front and 1" inch rear) for spacer lifts equate to a huge loss in reliability vs. add a leaf or a new spring pkg for less than 1/2 the cost?

Again do we not trust our Tacoma's reliability? Are you telling me that adding a 1" block so concerns you about your Tacoma's rear lift spring reliability and axle wrap that you'll spend double or triple the money to avoid it? Seriously??

Now I know we all like adding unnecessary things to our Tacoma's God knows I do. But it seems like new coil-over and spring packs are mandatory. Not like Leather, sliders or winches.

I'm not a Automotive mechanic by trade as many of you may be. I spent 6 years in the military as a combat engineer. 62B1 MOS. Heavy construction equipment mechanic 2.5 ton and up.
Out of 9,000+ soldiers who graduated from combat Engineer mechanic school that year only 11 graduated with a perfect score. I was #9.

Since then I have been heavily evolved in the technical aspects of manufacturing (mechanical and managerial) on a global scale. I know when to listen and I know when to call bullshit.

Right now... I want to know why for 80-90% of TW users. For Mall crawling and or light OR why a Spacer lift would not serve 80%+ the roll... of a coil-over/ add a leaf kit for less than 1/2 cost?



Ok guys let's have it....

 

For a lot of Tacoma owners, it is fine. These same owners typically put on some larger tires, and drive around in their little world and have no idea Tacomaworld exists. Most members here are enthusiasts and like to really use their trucks off-road. In that scenario, these lifts are terrible. So because most members on this site like to off-road, most members steer others away from spacer lifts.

 

You can look at my $100 lift link below and thought process for it- 30K miles later- i standby my argument that it works fine. Admittedly I made a home made add a leaf and not a block in the rear. If my suspension wasn't new when I started- I would say why not look at 5100 series if the shocks are at or near there replacement period.

In the spirit of William Wallace- FREEDOM

 

Why are the new coil-overs (5100) a huge improvement over the factory Toyota struts with a spacer? What make them worth 3-4 times the price for a 2.5" for the average TW user?

 

I agree if the shocks a nearing there lifes end. I was referring to new or in good condition shocks or struts. My bad..

 

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/news/bilstein-5100-vs-bilstein-heavy-duty.cfm

Basically what it comes down to is the 5100 is designed to be lifted up. Otherwise your bump stop won't be doing the stopping anymore, and your shock will. This is the outcome if you off-road with a spacer lift.


Also it is not terribly expensive to install a proper lift with 5100s. You can get all 5100s, Old man emu coils and an AAL in the rear for ~$650.

 

In before triggering.

Also, it's fine inside certain parameters. Exceed them and they aren't fine!

9/10 guys see a sweet lifted rig and flog it because it looks the part but doesn't have any go for the show. Then they break and that lift becomes shit.

Also, potholes. Potholes don't give a fuck.

 

Ride quality and usable suspension for me,to each there own.....thats all the poo I will fling

 

I will not disagree. My next question would be.
As they say..
Men lie...
Women lie..
But number don't lie..

I challenge any and all TW light OR users with a spacer lift to come forward if they have had this failure...
If many do i will reconsider my opinion.

The purpose of this thread is not to bash one lift or the other. I have a spacer lift. I would love a "me" coil over lift. I'm wanting to know why I should buy one?

Budget is no problem. Common sense is what I seek.

 

%v of the origina

So a spacer lift with 80-90% of the original Toyota ride quality is undesirable?

 

A guy I work with has a 06 taco and when we go out to the salmon fishing spot he always complains about how his susp it bottoming out and so rough and he has the puck and block setup.ive rode in several and I don't want that on mine....my 2 cents lol

 

I believe, that if common sense is truly what you seek, then you already know the correct choice.

 

It's not a super common problem, but it's not a one time freak event either. I've personally seen a few threads pop up with this happen in my couple years here, but am not going to go dig them up. I'd personally rather spend an extra few hundred dollars to NOT have my front shock buckle on itself and need to be towed away to get it fixed. Maybe peace of mind is the answer you seek? Like @T4RFTMFW said, you don't necessarily need to off-road to fuck up your shocks. Potholes don't care.

 

Eat sleep taco makes what is provably the best argument- I covered that in my lift write up. You will want to install the Wheelers bumpstop for sure over 2.5". The stock shock will be the limiter under compression if you don't compensate about 1" on the factory bump stop. I will say I wheel reasonably difficult terrain with mine. The other advantage to shock change is that you can get more droop in the rear but the point is does spacer lift work well and it does.

 

'
We'll all set back and see what happens..

 

Guess that depends on if your off roaring is a speed bump or more than that.like I said to each there own but not on my taco....

 

Search.

We don't need threads like this.

If you want a spacer then go for it.

 

So far..... Spacer provides 80% the benefits with 80% OEM ride at less than 1/2 the cost. That's what I know so far. 80% vs 50%

Still listening.....

 

I cannot conform nor deny your logic.