5100's/Spacer Question

Hi all,

I bought a used 2013 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport awhile back. It came with a 1.5 inch (I measured it so I could be off slightly) spacer lift with General Grabbers LT275/70R18 tires. They only rub (ever so slightly) when making a turn on to a downward slope/road/driveway. I think it rides normal, based on the descriptions from people on TW about the TRD Sport stock suspension ride.

I purchased 5100's to swap out the stock TRD Sport shocks however I didn't factor in the spacer. My plan is to keep the 5100's at 0" setting with the spacer.

My Questions:

- Will my plan work and/or cause damage to the front suspension?

- Will the ride be "better" than the stock TRD Sport suspension ride or will it be the same/worse because of the spacer?

- Should I take out the spacer and go with a longer coil?
- Will this lead to an uneven stance?

Also, I'd like to apologize beforehand if any of these questions have obvious answers or are "stupid", this is my first "lifted" vehicle (even though its only a spacer lift) and I am just looking for guidance/opinions/advice.

I've provided a picture of the tire size and current truck stance (The angle might be a little off on the picture because I was holding a lot of stuff and snapped the picture real quick). I can provide more if needed of the spacer, stance, etc.

 

I have no experience with spacer lifts, so take it for what it's worth. If something isn't accurate, someone will chime in, and correct me. At the very least, it'll be a free bump.

From what I've read about spacer lifts, the upside is that it's not supposed to affect the ride quality. The down side is that unless you change out the bump stops to match the height change, you could destroy your shocks, when they fully compress. With that said,

1. Your plan should work. Just changing out the shocks to another type, isn't going to do any damage to what's already there.

2. Again, your only changing out the shocks (setting them to "0"), So I would think the ride will only improve with better shocks, and everything else being the same.

3. Most guys here will advise you to ditch the spacers, and swap out the coils, especially if you plan to use it off road. If it were my choice, I would. There are also many that have spacers, and report no issues with them. As far as uneven stance, you probably have it now. This is fixed by putting a 1/4" spacer on the driver's side. Only way to know is to measure both sides from center of the hub to the fender. The driver's side is usually short by 1/2 to 3/4".

4. No need to apologize.

 

Thank you very much for answering my questions, I really appreciate it. I read multiple threads before posting this and there was pretty much a split of people for and against spacers. I've had the truck for almost a year and haven't taken it off road yet and if I do it'll be a nice trail, nothing crazy, and even that will be a rare occasion.

As for the bump stops, if you were in my shoes, would you change the bump stops to accommodate a 1.5" spacer? If so, where would I be able to purchase the new bump stops?

And for the uneven stance, I'll measure it in the next couple days. I was referring more to an uneven stance front to rear (not level) rather than left to right, but again, it shouldn't make that big of a difference with the new shocks, if anything i'll measure it after the new shocks are put in and go from there.

 

I agree. When it comes to suspension, for me function well outweighs 'stance'. Preloading springs to create lift reduces the function of the spring/shock combo, harshens the ride, etc.

Proper springs for the intended goal/function/prime use, matched with a damper that will work well with the spring. Yep, it costs more.

I spent over a decade racing SoloII and HPDE, where of course lowering was the desire. Same principles apply though, related to the concept of retaining or even improving function. The right way is never the cheap way.

 

If I were to remove the spacers and set the 5100's to the second notch, would I still be able to run those tires? That would be preloading the spring a little less than 1.5"

 

By the looks of it, your tires will be rubbing even more at that height.

 

yeah that's what I figured. I haven't had an issue with the spacer yet and its been almost a year. I'm driving on pavement 99.9% of the time.

However, you do have me thinking about the bump stops, do you have any recommendations?

 

You could contact any of our suspension vendors, Wheeler's, Headstrong Off Road, Downsouth Motorsports. On the top tool bar, click forum, then on the far right, vendors. One of those guys/girls should be able to steer you in the right direction. a quick Google search didn't come up with a whole lot.

 

haha yeah google let me down this time also

last thing: in theory, if the spacer is 1.5", should the bump stop be 1.5" longer as well....or does it not work like that?

 

The theory makes sense, I'm not seeing a lot of options for that though. I just read a thread where a guy did that, but he may have made his own. Again, check with the vendors.

Strictly an opinion, (I know you didn't ask for it, but....) the way I would do it, is just leave everything as is, until you can do a proper upgrade.

The two most popular ways to do it are either just get 5100's, set them to 1.75" (this usually comes out to ~2")(I have this setup on stock coils, and with P rated tires the ride is better than stock), and get rid of the spacers. This will ride firmer than stock, and may ride rough with LT's. Or go with the taller coils, Eibach (1.6" of lift), or OME are popular around here, and get rid of the spacers. With the coil upgrade, you have the option of getting the 5100's also.

Take before, and after measurements from center of hub to fender on front, and back to determine how much change in height is needed/gained.

If your going through the time/expense might as well do it the proper way.

 

I've installed a few spacer kits in "customer trucks".....and one of my own. The particular spacer I use is 1-1/4", giving a 2-1/2" lift. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, a 1-1/4" spacer between the bump stop and the chassis mounting point for the bump stop provides the correct spacing for that application. The bump stop would make contact with about 3/4" of shock travel remaining, and prevent the shock itself from serving as the bump stop.... In theory, the same would apply for any other thickness of spacer, but I have no "real world" evidence......I make the spacers from 1-1/4" white poly. I ran that setup on my own truck for well over 44,000 miles, a good bit of off roading, and ZERO issues. While it isn't "the best" lift on the planet, it works quite well, and gives people a "$100 option" to raise a Tacoma. Some people NEED that, or they don't get to raise their trucks.....Some people have limited resources.....Simple as that. Correctly installed, top plate spacers will give you essentially the same ride quality that you had BEFORE the lift. Same spring....same shock....

I'm a big fan of Bilstein 5100's used at 0" setting. That said, I DO NOT like preloading coils (ie, setting 5100's to .85, 1.75, etc....) Get the correct coil for the height you want. Jacking up the coil preload puts the shock in a position where rebound dampening valving is pushed to it's limits. A longer coil, even at a LOWER spring rate gives a much better ride and prolongs the life of the shock.

I now have 5100's and OME 885X's on my own truck. OUTSTANDING ride quality without the jackhammer effect that preloaded "stock" coils would give.

Never NEVER underestimate how much effect the REAR suspension has on the overall feel of the ride, even effecting how the FRONT feels. Suspensions need to have a sense of balance front to rear. Stock leaf springs and stock shocks are simply too "bouncy" in my opinion. Better shocks and at minimum, a quality AAL help the overall feel of the truck.

 

thank you very much for all the information everyone. really helpful. i've decided to keep the spacer and adjust the bump stop when the new shocks (set at 0) go in.

@Bluegrass Taco do you have a recommendation on an AAL? i don't think i will need it, but just as general knowledge for the future incase i change my mind

 

Off topic, but are those 2" or 3" n-fab steps?

 

they came with the truck, i never measured them, i can measure them when i get home tonight

 

2 inch n-fab's

 

I'm using the Deavers 2" AAL available from Headstrong Offroad. It works quite well!

 

got it, again thank you very much for all the information, really helpful