Thoughts on temporary spacer lifts

1st gen shocks don't have a thin neck to clear CV shaft:



It's still super jarring and can blow the shock, but won't strand you.

 

I think that opinions pretty much a #overlander line of thought.


Most people would probably be fine with a spacer lift but they won’t get as many expo points as they would with coil overs

 

It’s always the same few pictures of busted shocks every time this topic comes up. I’d bet less than 2% of people who have used spacers have had a shock fail like that. There’s obviously better choices for suspension but the shocks won’t magically explode just because you put a spacer on and drive down a dirt road.

 

It doesn’t change the fact that shock will bottom out before hitting bumps, and nothing good will come of that.

This is from a first gen. Not necessarily from a spacer lift, but the energy from the hit has to go somewhere. This is from hitting a speed bump according to that OP


[l

 

A speed bump going 60 miles an hour maybe, shits on a break no matter what in that case.

 

My minds not even close to made up and I’ve been taking all of the opinions discussed here into consideration. I’ve only disagreed or debated points as a clarification. I potentially may just do a 5100 in the front to give me 1.55” and keep the 5100 when I’m ready to do my 888 with ucas and leaf pack.

I wanted to see real input pros and cons about doing what’s discussed.

 

All I’m getting at is spacer lifts have their obvious downsides. OP, if you want a budget solution, do 5100 shocks on the 2.5” setting, and use stock coils. Will cost roughly the same and you don’t run the issues I previously mentioned.

 

A good point that adds to my post. You can always go back later on and add OME coils to the 5100 and slowly upgrade the suspension over time.

 

And that’s something that I’ve definitely been thinking about which pushed me to make my post. It’s just a bummer that the most 3rd gens can get from 5100’s and stock coils is 1.55”

 

If you put them on the 5th notch they'll give you about 2" lift per headstrong off road.

 

Is that safe? Headstrongs site says that a 4x4 double cab shouldn’t do it.

 

No it says any access cab, OR a 2wd DCLB.

 

https://adventuretaco.com/what-size-tires-fit-my-lifted-tacoma/


Another thing to think about, getting all the lift isn’t always good, specially for your cv axles

 

See above^^^^`

 

This rides fucking worse than spacers. Been there done that. Bilstein 5100 are shit especially with stock coils. And for the record you can space down the Bump Stops too. Nothing wrong with a spacer lift if looks/bigger tires is all you're after

 

Damn thank you for pointing that out.

The 2 will add .5” higher in the front for me. Are 1” blocks in the rear an acceptable place holder for a leaf pack or are they just as hated as spacers?

 

Of course it does, that's how suspension works. You're preloading the coil to gain lift as opposed to just moving the entire assembly downward. And I never said you couldn't space bumps, in fact I specifically said you have to space bumps. You just loose a good bit of up travel

 

1" is as high as I'd go. Reason blocks are bad is they can cause axle wrap. They act as a lever against the leafs, making it easier to twist them. A 1" should be ok though.

Notice how the axle rotates upwards during acceleration. This demonstrates what axle wrap is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54_6GaYJvWI

 

5100 at top slot with a 1” block to avoid bro rake. Then when I can, replace the block with leaf pack, grab new ucas and then put the 888”s on the bilsteins.

 

This is the route I’ll go then. It wouldn’t have been a thought if I read the damn website correctly.