Top Plate Spacer question

Is my understanding corect that adding a 1/4" top plate spacer to front (L and R) will gain 1/2" of lift?

If so, here is my plan, and somebody knock some sense in to me if this sounds shady.

Going to upgrade from the stock 245 tires to 265/75/16. I also want to put 5100s all around. My original plan was to put the front 5100's at .85" to level, but I don't want to preload to ruin the ride. So next I was thinking leaving the 5100s at 0" and putting the 1/4" top plate spacer to help level.

I don't want to bust my shocks on a pothole (I only drive on-road) or create a crappy ride. Would the 5100s at 0 with a 1/4" top plate spacer ride better than 5100s at .85 with no top plate spacer?

 

you will not notice a change in the ride with the 5100 at .85
1.5 and up you will begin to notice.

I have 5100 on .85 on my Tacoma now, it rides just like stock
I had 5100 on 2.5 on a 06 Tundra, and it rode nice, but noticeably stiffer.

spacers still add preload once you force the now longer assembly into the same space.

just do the 5100s at .85, forget the spacers (don't need them on stock springs)

 

I would go the top plate spacer route myself

 

And most people only use the 1/4 inch spacer on the Driver's side for the lean of extra weight

 

I hear ya on the .85, and might go that route, but to clarify your comment in bold, doesn't that applyt to in-coil spacers only?

 

The OEM coils are already different heights

1/4" on each side can be done with the stock top hat studs

 

in-coil spacers add preload as you assemble the shock and coil.
but if you make the assembly longer with a spacer on top, then force it back into the same amount of space you're still adding preload to the suspension.
5100s at anything other than .85 are adding preload.

(this makes more sense when you try to stuff the longer assembly back into the truck. you have to add quite a bit of force to open the distance enough to get the assembly in)

meaning before the weight of the truck is put onto the wheels, the spring is not at its fully extended point, i.e. unloaded.

*** people have spent years arguing about this without a clear winner***