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Spacer lifts - How bad are they really?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by Joaopac, Apr 11, 2018.

  1. Mar 13, 2020 at 9:33 AM
    #41
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad Well-Known Member Vendor

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    El Cajon, CA
    Dirty Harry likes this.
  2. Oct 22, 2020 at 6:05 PM
    #42
    Bears2020

    Bears2020 Member

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    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
     
  3. Oct 23, 2020 at 8:00 AM
    #43
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad Well-Known Member Vendor

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    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.
     
  4. Oct 23, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #44
    coopcooper

    coopcooper certified youtube mechanic

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    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.
     
  5. Oct 27, 2020 at 10:21 AM
    #45
    ELVIS

    ELVIS Well-Known Member

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    my 2/1 spacer lift works just fine on the hightway, beach, and our property.
     
    coma toy likes this.
  6. Jul 4, 2021 at 12:08 PM
    #46
    unbrokenchain

    unbrokenchain Member

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    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.
     
  7. Jul 4, 2021 at 12:31 PM
    #47
    Running Board Man

    Running Board Man Well-Known Member

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    They will do the job but not for long or that well
     
    unbrokenchain[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Jul 5, 2021 at 5:11 AM
    #48
    Jeffch

    Jeffch Well-Known Member

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    Seems a lot of people run the lean spacer,
    So how much spacer is to much?
     
  9. Jul 7, 2021 at 12:37 AM
    #49
    Phil61s

    Phil61s Well-Known Member

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    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):thumbsup:
    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
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2021
  10. Jul 7, 2021 at 12:42 AM
    #50
    Phil61s

    Phil61s Well-Known Member

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    MTB58, VR812 and AccuTune Offroad like this.
  11. Jul 7, 2021 at 7:09 AM
    #51
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad Well-Known Member Vendor

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    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.
     
    unbrokenchain likes this.
  12. Jul 7, 2021 at 10:25 AM
    #52
    coma toy

    coma toy Off Road Taco

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    I lifted 2" up front without the spacer. (Bilstein 5100's). Both sides came out even, nor was there lean before I lifted.
     
  13. Jul 7, 2021 at 10:36 AM
    #53
    coma toy

    coma toy Off Road Taco

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    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.
     
  14. Jul 7, 2021 at 10:47 AM
    #54
    AccuTune Offroad

    AccuTune Offroad Well-Known Member Vendor

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    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.
     
    Burns and coma toy[QUOTED] like this.
  15. Jul 7, 2021 at 10:53 AM
    #55
    Jeffch

    Jeffch Well-Known Member

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    :eek::eek::eek::D:eek::eek::eek::eek:
    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 :eek: 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.
     
    coma toy[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Dec 5, 2021 at 10:35 PM
    #56
    Dhmonkey

    Dhmonkey Member

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    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!
     
  17. Nov 15, 2024 at 9:09 AM
    #57
    VR812

    VR812 Well-Known Member

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

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