2" lift for $81

Lots of people do that. I didn’t trust the welds on the cheap spacers. That’s why I at least went with Bilstein 5100s.

I started out with a 1.75 lift from the 5100s and I had the needle bearing noise as well.

 

Well good luck with it, whatever you end up with. Nobody knows what you want/need but you.

If that noise goes away in 4WD, it’s the needle bearing.

 

There’s a special tool that ECGS sells to help with install.

I made my own tool because I have lot of random stuff laying around. If I did it all over again knowing what I know now, I would’ve just bought the ECGS tool though. Speeds things up when you don’t have to make stuff just to put parts on your truck.

 

Not apples to apples mate. Those who put the money in will get back 10x. I can't tell you how many times I have heard people say they wish they would have spend the money for a proper lift. The inevitable response is "I don't go off road" Till they do and wish that had a propper lift.

 

My unsolicited $0.02 is that your ride quality will be better with a spacer kit than with 5100's set to a higher than zero setting. 5100's set higher are pre-loading the stock springs to get the lift, so you'll get a stiffer ride, but it's also a better shock so it may not be that noticeable. The only real downside to spacers is that you don't gain any compression travel and you still lose extension travel. The ride quality should be the same, except you'll max out your UCA faster (or LCA if you replace your UCA), which may feel like a rougher ride. But that's going to be the same story for any suspension lift.

As far as cheap spacers, if they are machined from billet aluminum they are probably decent. I would check them frequently for cracking. Those blocks say they are machined from billet but you can see welds, so they're either lying or liberally interpreting what 'machined from billet' means.

I personally wouldn't cheap out on U-bolts of all things.

Enjoy the lift and make sure to re-check your bolt torque after a few thousand miles!

 

Stand your ground!

 

Despite the appearance of a crap storm, guys are just trying to help and mean well.

 

5100s set on the 5 pirch or the 1st will not change the ride quality. Also it doesn't preload the coil. The ride quality is a lot better than the factory shocks.

 

Lolwat

 

Pucklift bro. You been wasting your money this whole time.

 

I plan on doing the same lift except with an AAL in the back for 1.5" and 2" spacer lift in front. I am on pavement 99% of the time and the 1% of the time I am not, is a pretty even dirt or gravel road.

 

Ummmmmmmm, let me put this lightly, I don’t know where, when, who, or how you’ve obtained this “information”, but 5100’s preload the coil the higher you go. 0 is stock height with stock coils, end of story. 5 would be ~2in from stock. To obtain those 2 in, the spring is pre loaded when installing between the lower collar and top hat, drastically changing how the vehicle will ride when installed. Having it on the 1st or 2nd notch might not change it that much, but anything above that without adding extra weight to the front end will result in a stiffer suspension, and ultimately, a “harsher” ride, depending on who you speak too. Stiffer suspension IMHO is great for a road going vehicle, keeps you planted and gives you more control in cornering, but is as horrible as it gets off road.

Now back to the point of this thread, I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy a spacer lift on any year Tacoma. I currently run a front/rear puck kit, and even without having 4x4 and the burrden that comes with over extending your cv’s, the everyday ride, a ride you would expect to be the same as stock, is beyond horrible. Any bump, and rock, anything, is more pronounced while driving now. I literally have to slow to 2-3 mph just to make it over speed bumps without smashing my head into the roof, mind you I’m 6’. Saving up to a more enjoyable and controllable suspension upgrade is always my first suggestion with any Tacoma, but some have to go the hard route first to learn. When I uninstall my pucks and finally install the whole shebang which I’ve been accumulating for almost 2 years now, I won’t even try and resell my puck kit. I’ll use it as paper weights at work instead. Good luck man.

 

Don't forget to add a few bucks to get spacers for your bumpstops... or were you gonna use the stock shocks as bumpstops like most people that run spacers do

 

Yeah that’s just not true. Lots of good explanations here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/coil-preload-question.327637/

 

50/50 shot at ending up with needle bearing vibes? What say you, fellas?

This problem might arise whether it be a suspension or spacer lift. But it might arise nonetheless. Just know it's a possibility, OP. Very often lifts have unintended consequences. But you might get lucky!

 

Following...for a friend.

 

same here and have a similar kit on my 2016, no issues
and rides just as well as stock.

 

everyone wants to justify their purchase. whether $90 on spacers or $3000 on kings.

spacer lifts including 5100's are a compromise. you're gaining lift by sacrificing travel. now, that isn't necessarily bad thing. many on here feel unless you're gaining travel and lift, you're doing it wrong. but if you're gaining lift and don't need increased travel, then you're fine. Just realize some parts may wear faster like cv joints, etc.

but these same folks running $3-5k 3" diameter coilovers with reservoirs are just the same but on the other side of the scale. systems like that are beyond over kill for 99% of folks that buy them. They net no better ride quality and their benefits could only be seen in the baja 1000, not the mall parking lot.

you do you and enjoy.

me, i haven't bottom'd out or over extended my stock OR suspension and i like the squishy ride, so until i do, i'm leaving it as is. When i do, i'll buy something that solves my problem.

 

There you go. My buddy has a spacer lift on his 2007 it’s still good until now. He does only fire roads nothing extreme. Looks great too.

 

1/2 inch spacer in front giving it 1" of lift and 1" block in rear, deff looked sick but deff was alot stiffer riding