1/2 Inch Spacer Lift

I went with street rays and 1in rear block. Gave exactly the look I wanted and an easy install.

Now Im just waiting for my tires to wear so I can go up a tire size.

 

This is actually exactly the info needed. I don't want to disassemble the coil over to replace studs. Do you have a picture of the stud/nut engagement?

 

And that’s a 1/2” in front? Wow.

 

Yes, 1/2” spacer which equals a 1in lift

 

OP, please consider getting Bilstein 5100s up front. The ride will be much closer to OEM than a spacer that squishes your shocks & springs.

 

Looks great! What are those sliders?

 

Thank you! Those are the OEM 2nd gen running boards.

I just ordered 5100s so I’ll be taking the 1/2” spacer and throwing it on my wife’s 4Runner. I basically used this spacer just to see if I would be ok with having a smaller lift and I definitely am until next year when I go back to 33” tires.

 

Remove one of the oem nuts and measure the length of the stud to double check. You'll see the oem nut has a spacer added to it, this is where you'll gain the length you need. I've had these in for about 18 months without issue.

 

I hear you but with such a small lift (1 inch) its still within the strut travel limits. If I was doing a lift more than 1 inch Bilstein 5100 is the way to go.

 

Also to this type of spacer does not pre load the coil so your ride isn’t changed from stock at all. I’ve ran 5100’s and if you have a trd off road, you basically have the same shocks as the 5100’s and you are pre loading the coil on them to get lift. For 1” I’ll be adding a simple 0.5” spacer

 

There is a bit of a difference between the yellow 4600 Bilsteins and the 5100s. Also the 5100s do not pre load the coils which causes some confusion.

 

I've got 5100's on the Tundra and spacers on the Tacoma.

The Tacoma rides better in every way. "Ride quality" is a very subjective thing.

 

the bottom perch raises to increase lift. This makes the coil shorter, ie compressed. Not sure how you can explain that otherwise to me. I’ve installed 3 sets now and it’s how they work.

 

Contrary to what was said above a spacer lift does not "squish" your shocks and springs. It actually "pushes" the lower control arm further from its stock position thus providing lift. It doesn't change the length of your strut so no "squishing". Also, if anything, it stretches the shock out a little further. So much bad info here - people are just winging answers without knowing facts. A small spacer lift is fine if that is what you are looking for. I am not knocking the Bilsteins - they are great - but again there is NOTHING wrong with using a small spacer lift if that is what you are after (plus its WAY cheaper). I wanted to level my truck (I like the level look, not the raked look with a 4WD - just my preference). I bought a 1" spacer lift, which if you research you will find that the size of the spacer will double the lift (so my lift was obviously advertised as a 2" lift). I ended up milling one spacer down to .875" (7/8) and the other spacer down to .625" (5/8). I located the thicker spacer on the drivers side. What this did was give me the lift I was after and because I'm so goddamn anal it took care of the .500" (1/2) "Taco lean" you've read so much about. I just did this, this weekend and still playing with it but may mill down the 1" rear spacers down to 1/2" or 3/8" to
get the rear up ever so slightly. When measured from the wheel centers vertically to the fender the dimension is the same at all 4 corners.

 

Ok you have it your way, but I think I will listen to Bilstein on this one. I too have had these installed on a few trucks as well. Installing them is one thing but knowing they do not compress the springs has nothing to do with installation. The mere weight of the truck back on the ground will compress the springs. Anyhow that's your understanding so I will just leave it at that, but its been discussed many times on here and its simply not the case.

 

I’ve watched the bilstein videos and installed 3 sets myself like I said, and a pre load spacer is doing the same thing at the top of the coil as the bottom perch on the 5100. Take a tape measure and see for yourself, the overall length of the coil gets shorter as you raise the bottom perch, much like when you use a pre load spacer at the top. Think about it, why do you think running 5100’s on the top notch setting yields a stiffer ride?

 

I installed the toytec 1/2” spacer and studs. Studs came out of the stock cap easily with a hammer and a socket underneath it. Toytec studs went back in the same way and were snug. No issues tightening down the nuts.

best part was we Took off the lower spindle bolts, loosened the lower control arm bolts, unbolted the top strut nut then lowered the whole coil out of the truck. No need for a spring compressor. It worked out perfectly.....

raised the front of a trdor nearly perfectly level(maybe 1/8-1/4 lower in front). I’m very happy. I didn’t have any taco lean prior to this btw.

Debating installing the 1/2” blocks in the rear but with my slightly bigger 265 75/16’s I think they might look a little small.... will leave it for now.

 

I used this method on my second Gen to install new (warranty) 5100’s with OME lift coils. Worked like a dream and 100% safer than using those threaded rod coil compressors

 

Do you NEED to disassemble the coils to install the spacer? I seen a YT video of a tacoma owner lowering is LCA and sliding the spacer on top of the strut with out disassembling it. If its not recommended to go that route I won't do it.

 

Yes, because you want to install the longer studs. Toytec 1/2" with studs worked brilliantly for me. Research the method of pulling the bolts on the bottom of the spindle and using a jack to slowly lower the control arms. Your basically doing your own super safe and easy spring compressor with that method. Then you undo the center strut shaft nut and it comes out easily with the top cap still isntalled. Then you pull that off, hammer out the old studs into a deep socket and install the new ones. It was quite an easy process, with another guy.