Body Spacers: Is there a proper way to do it?

I've got a 6" BDS lift on my 07 taco right now and am looking for a little bit more height. I know I can do a body lift but am concerned about doing it properly without messing up suspension components or causing damage to the truck. Ideally im looking for another 1-2" of lift via body spacers if possible. 2" would be nice but 1 or 1.5 would do. I know a lot of guys here have a seeded hatred for spacers, but any proper advice as to how to go about doing this would be great.

The BDS kit uses a preload spacer and top strut spacer in the front to achieve the proper height for a 6" lift. If I added a 2" body spacer would I run into any concerns with bottoming out my shocks or damaging something on the suspension end of things? Im not terribly familiar with how these body spacers work in all honesty. Just looking to achieve a little more height in the most efficient way possible without ruining my truck.

I'll most likely be relocating my cab mount in the front wheel well at some point as well, will that have an effect on spacer placement as well?

 

Curious about purpose of such changes, since clearances are still restricted primarily by the axle/differential positions.

Is it a looks thing?

 

At this point yes, primarily for looks. My clearance under the truck for off-roading/tires is completely fine. Ive got 33s on right now and intend to go up to 35s which will give me a little more height as well. I know body spacers are not ideal but mostly just looking to see if theres a way to do it properly. Im willing to upgrade shocks/other suspension components if that makes a difference in achieving more lift.

 

Right on, thats what I thought.. As far as I know the only thing it interferes with is the spacing of the rear bumper as well as the steering link. After doing some research I could really only find body spacers made out of polyethylene, seems like kindof a cheap way to lift hundreds of pounds of metal.. Surprised no one makes aluminum or steel spacers

 

You would want to use poly spacers because one of the purposes of the body mount is to limit vibration/shocks being transferred to the cab. A metal spacer would allow that force to flow through and your comfort would greatly suffer.

 

I cant put body lift on in Maine due to laws. Says it has something to do with affecting abs

 

But you also can't run 33s legally so the laws might be kind of stupid there.

 

Oh they are def retarded laws here.

 

Spacers affecting ABS? Ive never heard of that before

 

4crawler.com get the "D1+RAD+BS". 1 inch would be max in my opinion since you have very minimal added stresses to the cab mounts and minimal amount of extending components such as steering linkages, gas filler, bumper mounts, etc. They also have aluminum spacers if you find it necessary. If not add "CLR" for black poly ethylene spacers otherwise theyll give you the white ones.

D1= upgraded stainless grade 8 bolts and upgraded spacers to improve surface contact of chassis/spacer/body by maximizing diameter of the spacer block

RAD= fan shroud drop mount

BS= not really necessary but adds rigidity to your bed if you put gravel or atvs or anything heavy in your bed

 

Go with a new setup? 10"

https://www.bulletproofsuspension.net/toyota-tacoma-10-12-inch/

 

Haha way too much lift for me. Ive looked at those kits before and thats way too excessive for a DD. My 6" is just about right. Plus to get a loaded bulletproof kit youre looking at around 7000 US. Ouch.

 

Thanks ill definitely check these guys out. I didnt even consider the fact that more frame from under the truck will end up showing when I add more spacers. So 1" may be better off in the long run anyways, for aesthetic purposes

 

Is it possible to do the bulletproof kit if I already have a fabtech kit. Not talking about combining them but I had to slice the crossmember out for the fabtech kit.

 

Try California.

One thing I remember about putting a body lift on my 2nd gen 4Runner (already had 4" pro comp and wanted 36's) - can't remember if it was 2" or 3", was how taught a lot of the harnesses were. I'd never do that again.

 

As far as I know, all 6" drop bracket kits are essentially the same thing in terms of front mounting points. You should, in theory, be able to take out your fabtech and slide the bulletproof in place of it without issue. The Bulletproof drop bracket is basically the same bracket as the fabtech, just built to be 6" taller

 

Sweet. Last time it flooded here the water was deeper than last time. Think I need to jack it up more.

 

If I won the lottery or came in to a massive abundance of cash I would buy a bulletproof kit in a heartbeat. But the fully loaded kit would run me about $10,000 CAD just for parts after conversion.. so at this point its not realistic what-so-ever. Plus I use my truck for work and I feel like it would just be that much more annoying loading stuff out of the bed and onto the roof constantly haha. Going to stick with my 6" BDS kit for now

 

Just had a thought though, will adding body spacers affect the fitment of heavier after-market bumpers? Looking to get a CBI front steel bumper and rear plate bumper w/ swingout soon. I wouldnt want a dinky bracket used to raise the bumper for the body lift to affect its rigidity or strength.

 

Yes, bumpers are designed to align to body panels without a body lift installed so there would be a gap. Some fabricators have options to correct for this.