Are spacers enough?

Hello fellas. Im pretty new to the truck world, i was wondering if adding a leveling kit 2” spacers to lift the truck, would be enough for
285/70/17 112+ R+ Tires without me having to do any trimming. And what would be the ideal wheel offset for it to fit perfect. I also would like some tire coming out of the fender without adding wheel spacers. Thanks.

 

A Spacer lift will prevent suspension up-travel and can help you fit 285/70/17 with no rub, depending on what wheels you go with (wheel width and offset/poke are factors).

Many here will advise against a spacer lift as it can hinder off-road performance, however, if your goal is primarily looks and mild off-road, a spacer lift is just fine. Thousands upon thousands of Tacomas run around on spacer lifts.

Since the spacer lift prevents the tire from fully stuffing into the wheel well, it can prevent rubbing. If you go with a “true lift”, that uses longer springs, etc, but does not prevent up-travel, most people have to trim to fit 285/70/17. Some “unicorn” trucks don’t rub on 285’s, but most do when the wheel is fully stuffed.

 

Say no to spacer lifts.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/should-i-worry-about-my-spacer-lift-offroad.541247/

 

Hey thanks for the response. Like i mentioned i dont know much about truck or even cars in general, what does suspension up-travel mean? And no it’s mostly for looks. I do want to take it off-roading but nothing crazy. Just easy/mild roads. More like cruising. So if i ever do want to go off roading like on rocks and harsher roads, you recommend me not to get the spacers right?

 

For slightly more money. Bilstein 5100 shocks are height adjustable. Much better ride than a spacer lift. No overextending the travel designed by Toyota.

 

Hey man thanks a lot for replying and helping me out. So this shocks are better and bigger than the ones that come stock in the trd off-road tacoma 2021? Or just bigger. Sorry if im asking dumb questions. Just trying to learn as much as i can and making sure i do the things correctly.

 

When you lift the front of a Tacoma there are basically two ways to do it. One way is to simply raise the existing suspension up using spacers. This is the easiest and most affordable way to do it. When you add spacers you are putting a piece of metal between the top of the front shock and the frame pocket. This will raise the truck (by lowering the entire suspension set-up) by the amount engineered into the spacer. Essentially the wheel can no longer “stuff” as high up into the wheel well, if that makes sense. It is when the wheels stuff up into the wheel wheel that you typically get the rubbing of the tire on the pitch weld, cab-mount, and/or fender liner. By using a spacer lift, you can fit larger tires without this interference. The downside is by limiting up-travel (the wheel stiffing up into the wheel wheel), you limit the overall travel of the suspension and its ability to soak up bumps and articulated over uneven terrain. That is fine for light off roading and “looks”, which is why spacer lifts are popular. The key is to buy one that is engineered for the Tacoma and won’t cause you to damage the factory front shocks etc. It should not be a generic spacer for “all makes”.

The other way to lift the front of a vehicle is a “true lift”, which uses either longer springs, or a front shock collar that pre-loads the existing springs to gain height. This is a more expensive and complicated route as your gotta buy new from shocks and often springs as well. Billstein 5100 is a good place to start. It’s a system that uses the factory springs with a pre-load collar. The sky is the limit for price if you go this route, but the results, even with budget-friendly 5100’s, will be noticeably better than a spacer lift. The downside of a true lift is the 285/70/17 tires will likely rub when fully stuffed. You may need to make some mods to prevent rubbing.

The rear of the Tacoma is a no-brainer. You can fit 285/70/17 with no mods. If you want more rear height to match the front, lift blocks are fine under the springs within reason (stay below 2”). Toyota even offers a kit that includes leaf spring lift blocks now, so they are OK with them.

If you lift the rear you generally need longer shocks to accommodate the new height. The 5100 rear shocks have a model that accounts for the rear lift.

 

I have this set and it’s great,

 

They are quite a bit bigger in diameter. Similar length. They are slightly stiffer than your original shocks, in a good way.

The front ones are ride height adjustable (can lift the truck). The rear ones don't provide any lift.

If wanting to lift the rear, I recommend an add a leaf (AAL) on a budget. Or spend the coin and get new leaf springs designed to lift the rear of your truck.

 

So if i get this one, the front would be lifted by 2” and the back by 1”. That means that the back will have an extra inch correct? And thanks for all the info i really appreciate it

 

Yeah. Tacomas have 1” rake from factory (higher in back than front). That kit will give you an adjustable front end (5 positions up to 2” lift), and allow you to lift the rear 1”. However, it does not provide you with the method to lift the rear end, just the longer rear shocks that will allow for the lift. If you do not need extra load capacity from a heavier rear spring, a 1” spacer block is fine like this:

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...kit-1995-2014-toyota-tacoma-tundra-1999-2014/

If you go the Billstein route, you may need to deal with tire rub. There’s lots on info on this site about it. Search for CMC or “cab mount chop” and fill your boots.

 

ok so let say i want to get a good quality lift kit, 3” in the front and 1” or 2” in the back. Which one would you recommend? With A budget from 600-1000$. And besides paying someone to add that lift kit, would i have to pay anything else? Would i need an alignment? Regear axels? Or any other fixes so my truck can ride smoothly and with the correct mph?

 

Most people would tell you to stay under 2” with the Tacoma drivetrain. Going over 2” will complicate things with front diff bearings and CV joint boots and angles. 2” is more than you think when you see a lifted taco in person.

-You will absolutely need an alignment

-You may need rear axles shims if you get vibrations (my truck is lifted 1.5” in back and has no shims and no vibes, but YMMV)

-A lot of guys regear for 285/70/17 and many don’t. You will feel the power loss and take a hit on the MPGs on 285’s. I would budget for the regear, but drive the truck on the bigger tires first to see if you care.

-I have no experience with the higher priced lifts (Elkas/Fox/King/etc). I have 5100s and are very happy with them. You can easily spend $8000 on lifting your truck if cost is no object.

 

If you want 285 tires you will likely need to trim, pinch weld mod, and get a CMC (cab mount chop). Or stay with 265 tires to avoid most of that.

As far as wheel backspacing for a wider stance. 16" wheel with 0 offset or 4.5" backspacing is common. That's what I ran.

Damn I miss my taco:

 

Also this is all assuming you have a 4WD. Lifting the front of a 2WD is a little less complicated and more lift is possible.

 

You bought the right colour!

 

Alright guys so just to be sure i understood everything

1. When buying a stock tacoma from the dealer, the rear is 1” higher than the front rather than 2” as i had been told.

2. You guys recommend me getting
0-2″ FRONT LIFT BILSTEIN 5100 SHOCKS FOR 2016-2021 TOYOTA TACOMA
https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-tacoma/2016-and-up/shocks-2016-and-up/0-2-front-lift-bilstein-5100-shocks-2016-toyota-tacoma/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1r7Qt_PV8wIVDCCtBh0MhgZrEAQYAiABEgKFyvD_BwE

Rather than the
BILSTEIN 0-2″ FRONT, 0-1″ REAR LIFT SHOCKS FOR 2016-2021 TOYOTA TACOMA
https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-tacoma/2016-and-up/2016-lift-kits/bilstein-0-2-lift-front-shocks-0-1-lift-rear-shocks-2016-2017-toyota-tacoma/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1r7Qt_PV8wIVDCCtBh0MhgZrEAQYASABEgKz0PD_BwE

Since the second one wont lift the rear. and if i do want to lift the rear you guys recommend this one
https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/toyota-tacoma/2016-and-up/2016-lift-kits/bilstein-0-2-lift-front-shocks-0-1-lift-rear-shocks-2016-2017-toyota-tacoma/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1r7Qt_PV8wIVDCCtBh0MhgZrEAQYASABEgKz0PD_BwE

Plus this one

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...kit-1995-2014-toyota-tacoma-tundra-1999-2014/


3. After adding lifting kit get an alignment

4. after that i should be able to fit my tires 185/70/17 without an issue and without any other modifications

sorry if im wrong.

 

Yea i have a 4wd

 

Oh and
5. Dont exceed 2” lift because it causes more problems, modifications and money

 

The second one you posted is fine. The front and rear set of 5100's. It still upgrades your rear shocks, and they allow you to lift the rear.

I highly recommend against the rear spacer You linked. I had a rear spacer, it sucks.

Instead get an AAL. More labor to install, much better ride/handling.

AAL:

https://www.bilsteinlifts.com/shop/...-expansion-pack-add-leaf-96-18-toyota-tacoma/