Spacer Lift question/Ultimate lift

I just paid 1100.00 for the toytec ultimate lift for my new 2011 Taco 4x4 dc sport!

I just rode in a buddies 2009 with revtec 3" spacer lift and rear aal. he put the lift on his truck when it was a week old, He has a great ride and not a single problem in 2 years???

My question is...What does the spacer lift hurt? I hear so much about them being "HORRIBLE", he also runs 285/70r17 bfg km2's with no spacers on stock wheels-with no rubbing or hitting of the STOCK control arms. He offroads the truck moderately and it does great with no issues.

I am just trying to justify the spending of 1100 when he paid 229 for the same amount of lift! I know you get what you pay for, but is the ultimate worth 900 dollars more?

 

Give him a couple of years, then he will want your setup.

 

The top plate spacer pre-loads your struts thus giving them less room to travel and under enough stress like going over a speed bump to fast or hitting a big pot hole the struts can snap...I have a Spacer lift up front but I'm getting rid of it soon

Edit: I've wheeled my truck pretty good and I haven't had 1 issue in 2 years either, there just not recommended lifts thats all...kinda like wheels spacers. I guess it all depends on what you plan to do with your truck. I personally think that if you don't off road much, if at all spacer lifts are fine

 

His is the one that bolts on the top, not the type that goes above the spring. Is that any better? It is actually a rough country front spacer and toytec rear aal.

 

Hmmm...not sure, someone else will have to chime in on that one. I'm interested to see myself if theres a difference

 

Yeah, me too! I would think it is completely ok? It is just moving the strut down 3", I think his truck drives and rides great! I'm thinking the 900 dollars could almost buy new tires!

 

For sure

 

your not just "moving" the strut down, your pushing the whole suspension assembly down which changes your whole suspension geometry. you'll damage ball joints, tie rods, steering and other components with that lift. your better off with a coil spacer lift. cheap lifts end up costing you more in the long run. Just do it right the first time. ... remember, you get what you pay for

 

Makes sense...

 

Makes sense to me also...except, don't all lifts move the suspension components down? Most new strut lifts are a strut with the bottom spring perch mounted further up on the strut, thus pushing everything downward, right? I'm doing the ultimate kit already, just really interested in everyone's feedback. Thanks, great posts so far!

 

struts dont give any lift, coil springs do. just search "top mount spacer" and you will find many threads on this subject. the SEARCH button is your best friend

 

Pull the trigger on the Ult Lift! I get it, money talks. There is a reason for the "cheap" way of lifting a truck. Buy the best you can, you'll always be happy with it.

btw, it's the best 3" lift setup out there

 

the toytec kit will do the exact same thing to balljoints, tierods, etc. as a spacer will. You're still lifting the truck in the same fashion, while retaining stock upper a-arms/balljoints, right?
the only real difference (which is a considerable one) id the toytec has better shocks, and probably the correct length shocks to actually not limit bump (bottomout) travel when offroading.

everyone saying that spacers are terrible, and this is the "right" way to lift it are at least slightly misguided. these will put the balljoints and tierods at just as harsh of an angle as a spacer lift will. I am not saying the toytec is bad, not at all, I'm saying that spacers are okay too for mild offroad use.

 

I had a 3" top spacer lift for almost 9 months, and did some real hardcore offroading. No issues. I have since changed up a little. People dog it, but it's not bad. A little rough, but does the trick.

 

....this is a nice thread I have debated that question for a long time!! Thanks for the input guys!!

 

Since it is a one time deal, I'd save up for coilovers because I wouldn't want to ride around with a harsh ride for 100,000+ miles.