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How to ease a rough ride after 3" spacer lift?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by wtbthree, Jul 25, 2010.

  1. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:36 PM
    #1
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    Hey all,

    I'm rather unhappy with my ride quality after a 3" spacer Revtek lift, it's pretty darn stiff. Apart from being rattled to death on and moderate forest road, I can't help but feel like the truck is taking a beating it's not supposed to with the stock shocks. (seems much stiffer than the my stock setup on my '05)

    Having said that, I have two questions:

    1. Can anyone speak about their experience with a Revtek lift or similar
    spacer lift (with respect to ride quality and life/damage to the truck's
    suspension setup)?

    2. Could I get a softer or more quality ride by swapping stock shocks with
    some Bilsteins, 5100's i guess right? I'd like to do this without spending
    too much, what's the price range on those?

    I've done some searching already, sorry if there's a thread I've missed. Any help is appreciated.
     
  2. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:40 PM
    #2
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Spacers are going to be rough. To fix it you need to either get some 5100's and set them at 2.5 (get rid of the spacers), or get some lift coils, or get some coilovers.
     
  3. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:43 PM
    #3
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    3" Revtek lift, 17" FJ rims, 285 BFG KO's, sunroof, TRD piping, Wickedflow muffler, Avid step rails TRD supercharger,
    clearly I know next to nothing when it comes to suspension setups, what are lift coils and coilovers?
     
  4. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:46 PM
    #4
    DWreck

    DWreck Famous Retrieval Vendor

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    Enter these words into a search and read! Best way to do it I believe. Not trying to be an ass!
     
  5. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:47 PM
    #5
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    3" Revtek lift, 17" FJ rims, 285 BFG KO's, sunroof, TRD piping, Wickedflow muffler, Avid step rails TRD supercharger,
    no worries, my bad, just being lazy, lol
     
  6. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:50 PM
    #6
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Lift coils are coils you can buy that are actually longer and more heavy duty than stock. OME makes some good ones. Coilovers are the high end of lifts and are actually a high performance version of the stock strut. Searching will answer all the questions you may have :thumbsup:
     
  7. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:56 PM
    #7
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    3" Revtek lift, 17" FJ rims, 285 BFG KO's, sunroof, TRD piping, Wickedflow muffler, Avid step rails TRD supercharger,
    Yea, coilovers are way out of my price range i think, I'll look into lift coils.
    Thanks guys
     
  8. Jul 25, 2010 at 7:59 PM
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    DWreck

    DWreck Famous Retrieval Vendor

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    Yes, look strongly into 5100's and OME 886 springs!
    I'm ain't sayin', I'm just sayin'!
     
  9. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:07 PM
    #9
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    3" Revtek lift, 17" FJ rims, 285 BFG KO's, sunroof, TRD piping, Wickedflow muffler, Avid step rails TRD supercharger,
    Will do, and in doing that I would get the same 3" ride height I have now, but with a softer ride correct? (no more Revtek shenanigans)?
     
  10. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:10 PM
    #10
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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    Keep this in mind, I lifted my truck with the 885s and got about 3 inches then shortly after I put on the supercharger and sagged down to 1.5 and 2 inches driver and passanger, I believe the weight of the SC acted like a bumper or a winch and sagged the springs or not letting them lift as they should, so I would recommend 886s coils to get a full 3 inches
     
  11. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:26 PM
    #11
    blackwidow2009

    blackwidow2009 Well-Known Member

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    2.5" front lift Daystar coilover spacer. 2.5" rear lift add-a-leaf N-Fab wheel to wheel nerf/step bar Polished Stainless Leer cap from my 2000 Tacoma --- It does fit; don't let them lie to you

    I have read that others have had "ruff/ruffer rides" after a spacer lift.

    I had a 2000 tacoma (4X4), and now a 2009 tacoma (4X4), both I installed a 2.5" spacer lift, and on both did not experience and difference in ride quality. I'm not say you or anyone else is wrong, everyone knows their truck better then anyone else.

    But when I think about it, if nothing is changed except for added the spacer, the ride really should'nt change. The coilovers are still the same, the compression that they are under is the same because the weight of the vehicle has'nt changed, and the travle that the springs can travle has not changed; so I'm a little confused why some people do feal a ruffer ride.

    Just curious. :)
     
  12. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:27 PM
    #12
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    yea, I've done some reading and that looks like a common problem with the 885's, apparently they are a no-go for DC's and anyone with extra weight (ie an SC or plate bumper) Thanks, I'll only be looking at the 886's

    Would it be ok to only go with the coils for now and look into the 5100's later? or would I have to get them both at the same time in order to do away with the spacers?
     
  13. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:28 PM
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    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    did your spacer go on top of the coilover assembly or did it go between the coil and top plate?
     
  14. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:29 PM
    #14
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    I would do it all at once. Better than having to take it all appart again down the road.
     
  15. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:32 PM
    #15
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    Definitely a valid point, doesn't seem like anything should change. But I swear the ride on my truck now is much stiffer, hmmm, or at least stiffer than I would like it to be/has to be
     
  16. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:34 PM
    #16
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Im thinking he has the type of spacer that goes on top of the whole coil assembly which does not change the stiffness. It does however cause a lot of extra stress on the cv's and ball joints because the wheel now has more down travel and less up travel.
     
  17. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:37 PM
    #17
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    For sure, but taking the spacers out and throwing the OME springs in would not change the ride height right? I can't afford to lose any height from my lift with the 285's I'm running, its darn close as it is.

    I'm thinking I'll get a set of 886's for the front and pull out the spacers. Then buy a pair of 5100's for the rear, (maybe get the tsb too)
     
  18. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:44 PM
    #18
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Well Im not sure how the stock front shocks would handle the 886's since I've never heard of anyone doing that. You would stay at the same height as you are now regardless of what you decide to do. I have 881's (the first gen version of the 885's) with the billies set at 0 and got about 2" of lift. also definitely get the tsb otherwise you'll have a nasty "bro lean".
     
  19. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:48 PM
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    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Those 886's are gonna ride hard on the stock shocks. You may want to consider the 885's, unless you are getting a larger (More heavy) front bumper, and a winch. The 885's will get you close to 3" lift.
     
  20. Jul 25, 2010 at 8:52 PM
    #20
    wtbthree

    wtbthree [OP] Give 'er

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    Ok, well I guess it'll be Billies and OME springs for the front. I just need to make doubly sure that I wont have any less lift than I do now.

    As for the rear, I would just swap in the Billies and leave the u-bolts/spacers?
    Or would getting the TSB and putting the billies in be enough to keep my 3"

    [​IMG]

    thanks for all the help
     

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