Spacers?!

I was going to go with the full OME lift but now im not sure i want to spend the money. I'm looking at the ready lift kit and the toytec spacer lift kit. I do occasional offroading, but nothing serious. Will going with the cheeper option give me problems down the road? And if so any better options in the $400 price range.

 

I am a fan of spacers for your situation. I have the TRD off road package and did not like the coilovers. I went back to spacers.

Checkout Fat Bob's Garage. They have 2.25" - 3" lifts.

Here is the 3" for $279

http://store.fatbobsgarage.com/toyota-tacoma-3-lift-kit-2005-2010-6-lug-p3916.aspx

Here is the 2.25" for $159.

http://store.fatbobsgarage.com/toyo...ar-blocks-4wd2wd-2005---2010-6-lug-p2132.aspx

I personally prefer the 2.5" lift with 1" blocks in the rear.

I tried the coilovers and rear AALs. I am happiest with my currrent setup.

Fat Bob's is also on EBAY and sometimes beats the prices on their own website.

 

Your truck looks great and I think its what im lookin for. Three questions. What size tires are you running, do you need anything else like a differential drop kit or ucas, and how much offroading do you do with it.

 

I do have a diff drop. It is easy to install and $20 well spent. I am running 265/75R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers and no rubbing. I have stock UCAs.

As for off-roading, it is to get me places like camping, fishing/hunting and exploring. I don't use it to rock climb or muddin'.

BTW - I dumped the AALs for blocks because AALs squeak and the truck sounded like a worn out piece of junk. It was embarassing to drive around people that could hear it. I tried every non-squeaking remedy on this forum - none worked long term.

 

Don't go spacers - Most folks here on TW can agree, coilovers like the OME kit will be much better and also will not be *as* problematic as spacers can be...

 

I went with spacers from Fat Bob's for a year until I could afford the OME kit. I didn't notice a harsher ride (although my front spring were pretty tired). I did not take it off road while they were installed to avoid any issues.

 

misterquad: do you think you could fit 285s on your lift, and did you install yourself

colton: you need new front shocks with the OME coilover kit, right?

 

This is my personal success story with 2.5" spacers. Now, I started with a new truck and I have a TRD with an Off-Road package, TRD O/R package.

First step, I had 3" spacers.

Second step, I took the spacer off to go to adjustable coilovers. The adjustable coilovers caused me nothing but problems and I took off my truck within 5,000 miles and went back to my TRD O/R package

Third Step, I bought a 2.5" spacer lift.

My best guess is that a 3" spacer lift or C/Os put too much stress on components.

That being said, if you need new spring and shocks go to coilovers. If you don't need them then go to spacers.

 

I believe 285s will rub on my truck with any lift unless I went to a 6" lift. I have run BFG KOs, KM2s and Nittos. Nittos are the largest 265s. KM2s are the smallest 265s.

And yes, I do the installs myself, it is my hobby to tinker with the setup.

 

Did you find the 2.5" lift kit on fat bobs because you only gave the links to the 2.25" and 3", and are those stock wheels

 

I bought on Ebay, my 2.5" lift from Fat Bob's and my 3" from ExtremeTruckToys. I copied the links just to show the price ranges. Stock wheels with 265s fit fine.

Just be sure to get the spacers that bolt on top of the coilovers not the ones that require you to compress the coils.

 

if going that route, i vote you don't go bigger than 2" or 2.5" lift...

im curious though, what coilovers did you run that you found top mount spacers a better ride than coilovers?

 

Yes I'd say you need new front shocks with the OME springs, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

X2, I was wondering the same thing.

 

Misterquad . Your truck looks great . I want to lift my truck up to 2.5" , at first I wanna get coilover but I decided not to spend that much money to save for new tires . Im running 5100 all around @1.75 with TSB done by toyota . Maybe I should get spacer but don't know 1'' or 2'' and will add 1'' block for the rear , Should I ?
I just ordered 2 pairs spidetrac wheel spacers to stick out the tires for aggressive stand . I use my truck for normal high way driving and off road some times .what spacer ( inch) should I get . Thanks

 

Don't do spacers. They suck. I have them, not even worth it. They give you a Shitty ass ride

 

i had the ExtremeTruckToy top plate spacer for over a year and it rode great for me. It was a 1.5 inch spacer that gave me 3" of lift and just slightly stiffer than stock but in a good way. I then upgraded to a light racing uca and then it drove perfect from there.

I just put on coilovers and the ride is better, but not an extreme difference. the coilovers are digressive so maybe that's why they feel different. However, there are these table top speed bumps by my work and when i flew over them with spacers i think they would over extend and i'd hear a clunk. with the coilovers i float over smoothly and it recovers quickly.

 

I am so confused with all the lifts. Many people say spacers are no good and then some it's fine. I want a lift too. But can't decide either. I rode in my neighbor second gen extra cab lifted with 2.5 spacers and one inch block in the rear with 285 tires and to me personally it rode just fine even over bumps.

 

I have been through this debate a number of times on this forum. I have searched the forums and I can find people with issues with spacers and with coilovers. I think I can summarize a couple of points.

If you want to drive over bumps and jumps like you are in an offroad desert race then you need coilovers. And coilovers are just the beginning of your build and expenses.

If you want to get some place to camp, hunt/fish and explore then spacers will work fine. The Toyota Trails Team runs spacers on their FJs.

Australians know a great 4x4 and Old Man Emu makes a 1.75" lift and not a 3" lift for a reason. You can fit a larger tire. You keep your wheel travel with a minimum lift.

The most stable vehicle has the maximum tire and minimum lift. Take a look at the H1 Hummers.

The proper spring and shock combo make the ride better not a longer setup.

The more you reduce the range of motion the more you disturb the ride quality, and stress the components.

If you beat on it, you will break it.

 

What it comes down to is component wear and if you offroad a lot. As a street driver you should be ok with spacers, but higher speeds with bigger holes or bumps will probably wear components quicker with spacers. I babied my truck when i had the top plate spacers (but it rode nice), when i put my LR uca in i did not find any unusual wear on my stock components.

I have coilovers now and love them. Plus i have "peace of mind" with a strong set up. Search and search and you'll probably never find that direct answer that says "you're absolutely fine with a spacer lift." Overall, spacers are cheaper and easier but not the best compliment to lifting your truck. You should be able to get many good miles out of them, but you will never be satisfied as you will always be thinking that you want coilovers. Especially if you keep reading the forums on here.

 

Can I set my 5100 to highest setting at 2.5'' and add 1'' or 1.5'' block in the rear to make my truck level right ?