Spacer lifts - How bad are they really?

I will just add this here...
https://youtu.be/pve9VtD39H0

 

Why are the spacers so bad if you don’t go off rd just for looks? Toyota Dealers push it 3/2 1100 I rather do Shocks at the price

 

I think we explain it pretty well in that video. Adding an upper control arm and bump stop spacers would help eliminate some of the main issues. At the end of the day, it's up to you and what you needs are.

 

You can buy the kits for a couple hundred dollars, which will give you the exact same look and height as spending thousands on suspension parts. To each their own but if I never took my truck off road I would of kept my spacer lift. Dont be swindled into buying a fancy suspension lift.

 

my 2/1 spacer lift works just fine on the hightway, beach, and our property.

 

So I got a 95 Tacoma sx about a month ago, it's stock except for a heavy winch bumper on the front. The bumper causes the front of the truck to sit about 2" lower than where it seems like it should. I realize that a heavier-weight spring is the real solution here, but I'm wondering if spacers would be ok in my circumstance. I drive a lot of gravel/forest service roads but no serious off-roading.

 

They will do the job but not for long or that well

 

Seems a lot of people run the lean spacer,
So how much spacer is to much?

 

Check out this guy. I'v been researching and came across him in N.Phoenix (Westcott Designs)
He worked for Toyota for 20yrs, Harley Davision, and Hummer. He designed some of the first off-road after market parts for racing Baja.
I went with him for my 3" front lift,(lower shock spacer) 1" rear lift. Bilstein 5100's shocks front & rear, (yes, he even had the rear 5100's in stock)
used stock front springs (I installed air bags for the rear) and used his kit. Do it for yourself, and watch some of his You Tube videos

Edit: The lift kit I purchased is for "up t o 3" (5 settings) (1 1/2" to 3") mine is on 3rd setting, approx 2" lift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgDsi4RSQKQ

 

Here is a good one to show how his shock collar (lower spacer) works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRzgZQK37_Y

 

Yea like he mentions in the first video, his design is not your typical "spacer lift". He is technically adding preload to the spring so the shock travel/length is not changing. Simple and cheap alternative to getting a lift.

 

I lifted 2" up front without the spacer. (Bilstein 5100's). Both sides came out even, nor was there lean before I lifted.

 

Bilstein 5100's recommend you use the stock coils. You will void the Bilstein warranty by not doing so. You did waste your money on the 887's. Also, Ad a leaf ads more weight, when a perfectly good 1" (or less) block in the rear is just fine, ride wise.

The new OEM TRD lift kit includes a 1" rear block. So for anyone that says a rear block is a bad idea, is shooting you the Bull. Sorry you had to find out the hard way.

Adding 5100's up front is still far superior to front spacers.

 

Adds more weight? Do you mean allows for more weight?

Depends on what you are looking for. If you are after performance and better ride quality, then a block is a bad idea and not doing anything other than gaining you lift height.

 

My 08 had 5100s with stock coils at 1.75 and a 1” block in the rear. Wasn’t bad a little stiff but tighter than stock.
My 12 was pretty soft but then I had rear leafs replaced with Hd springs.
3” of rake wasn’t expecting that!
Not sure how long I’m gonna keep it the frame will decide before 10/2023.
I’ve already done more to it than I was gonna seeing it may be a flip!
Seeing how the lean spacers seem to be accepted here but spacer lifts are not how much “lean” spacer is ok?
Neither of the trucks had/have much lean so one on each side should be good for a 1/2 inch up front at least.
Guessing the three studs thread length come into play vs bolting thru to spacer.
I can make my own spacers and only cost is alignment.
I got 500lbs in bed and still have 2” + rake.
It’s like the old days with air shocks on my 69 Malibu.

 

Considering a very similar setup, minus the bags. How are you liking it? Any issues or things u’d do differently? What 1” rear option did you do, spacer block or add a leaf? Would love to see a picture or two. Thanks for your time!

 

I'm about to install a 2 inch spacer and block because I'm cheap and want to learn the hard way.