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Suspension & AxleTechnical discussions regarding alignment, stock and modified suspensions, lift kits, axles, hub conversions, gearing and steering.
This is a discussion thread titled "Why most spacer lifts are bad....", within the Suspension & Axle forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
I've learned that when it comes to Internet forums, it is futile to argue with a obvious Pessimist. You are entitled to your opinion while others like myself are entitled to enjoy our contradictory opinion.
Bryan <---still enjoying his leveled truck very much
I'm a realist, please don't confuse the two. I'm glad you like your spacer lift.
__________________
08 Silver Crewmax 5.7 4x4 SR5...
Work in progress...
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT MAKING A NEW POST??? TRY SEARCH FIRST!!!!!
I ordered the bilstein 5100's for 2008 crewmax 2wd. I originally had a 2.5" spacer lift i was going to put on, but since the price of the bilsteins are not a whole lot more i figured i would go that route. Is there anything else i should do to ensure for safety and decrease wear and tear. I would like to know the necessary and unnecessary please. I ma kind of new to the whole suspension game, but learning as i go. Thanks.
I ordered the bilstein 5100's for 2008 crewmax 2wd. I originally had a 2.5" spacer lift i was going to put on, but since the price of the bilsteins are not a whole lot more i figured i would go that route. Is there anything else i should do to ensure for safety and decrease wear and tear. I would like to know the necessary and unnecessary please. I ma kind of new to the whole suspension game, but learning as i go. Thanks.
bump here.
I also have 2wd c.m. and want to add blistein shocks with 2.5inch to level truck out.
WOULD this wear out anything like the lifts CAN?
Where is a coilover better then the adjustable shock, can I push shock to its full 2.5 inch lift, I will use truck 95% time on road?
THANKS TO WHOEVER CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS!
Last edited by EVOL ARDNUT; 07-18-2008 at 11:43 AM.
Please read through the old Bilstein 5100 kit threads for the complete story.
To summarize, the 5100 front shocks with the snap ring and preset levels have a slightly longer shaft than the OEM Bilsteins. The shaft length was designed to use the remaining extension travel available in the stock upper ball joint, without damaging the joint. It's not much, maybe 3/4" of wheel travel, but the point is it provides some lift without as much decrease in downtravel as an in-pack spacer, and without the risk to the joints from a top-load spacer.
If you get the 5100 kit with the snap rings, you don't need to do anything else as it was designed properly from the start. Think of it as a little brother to the Camburg kit, but without so much travel as to require new upper control arms.
2wd c.m. and want to add blistein shocks with 2.5inch full adjustment only and nothing else to level truck out is a better idea or revtek 2.5 front lift only?
I know I am not only one who is still wondering.
I was told that 2.5 inch revtek lift on 2 w.d. crewmax would not hurt joints rap anything or such or otherwise from guy who wasn't trying to sell me anything when I asked at toyota dealership when looking at a trd supercharged crewmax dropped with trd exhaust, what about that? and yes I read all above post.
Last edited by EVOL ARDNUT; 07-19-2008 at 12:29 PM.
Get the coilovers- they are well, well-worth the $. I installed a spacer lift on a Saturday and replaced them with IVDs on Tuesday. I really wished I learned before I installed the spacer what I learned the day after I did.
I drive on southern Ca freeways 90% but shoot around off road trails, camp, etc. Driving what I think is my great truck over large speed bumps made me feel like I had a POS. The springs were preloaded so much the shocks reacted like pogo sticks and finished off with a nice collision between the spring and knuckle. Hearing that noise and understanding why it was happening really got to me.
Going over the same speed bumps at 20 with IVDs is no problem. And I'm adding UCAs this weekend so it'll be even no-problemer! The significantly noticeable improvement in on & off-road handling totally outweighs the slightly firmer ride. The crappy part is the right way really does include UCAs so you get use of full susp. travel & the thing'll drive in a straight line.
Can you do some translating on this for me? I am pretty new to the whole suspension setup, and looking to level the front of my 2006 DC..Not too certain on the whole spacer deal..Any links, PM's would be great!!!
2wd c.m. and want to add blistein shocks with 2.5inch full adjustment only and nothing else to level truck out is a better idea or revtek 2.5 front lift only?
I know I am not only one who is still wondering.
I was told that 2.5 inch revtek lift on 2 w.d. crewmax would not hurt joints rap anything or such or otherwise from guy who wasn't trying to sell me anything when I asked at toyota dealership when looking at a trd supercharged crewmax dropped with trd exhaust, what about that? and yes I read all above post.
the 2.5 inch revtek lift is still a spacer lift. i don't have a gen 2 so i haven't looked into them as much. but no matter what you will get a better ride with a replacement shock like the bilstein's over a spacer like revtek's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 06grnmstr
Can you do some translating on this for me? I am pretty new to the whole suspension setup, and looking to level the front of my 2006 DC..Not too certain on the whole spacer deal..Any links, PM's would be great!!!
well what tundraskyline basically said is that he had a spacer lift and his truck rode really ****ty. then he took it out and put IVD's on instead: ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS
his truck rode much better after that. then he's going to add some UCA'S= UPPER CONTROL ARMS:Camburg Engineering Inc.
The picture above is exactly the type of product that led to the photo and description in the first post of this thread, and the warnings from the more experienced owners. In the product description, if it says "spring compressor not required" or similar, it will eventually damage your joints. Top Gunz sells some very, very good products, but this is unfortunately not one of them.
Get the Bilstein 5100 kit. 230$ for the pair, from Wheeler's Offroad:
adjustable 2.5 blis. wouldn't cause same or different kind of wear?
I would like to know if anyone knows good place in Houston to put these shocks on07 tundra?
No they will not cause the same problem. The shaft is longer, but not too long.
The full explanation is long and technical and it's linked in my signature line, if you want.
If you are mechanically inclined you can do it yourself with very little difficulty, just take the coilovers to most any shop and they should be able to switch the coils to the new shocks for somewhere between a case of beer and 50 bucks. Removing the old coilovers and installing the new ones is very easy, only four bolts each side.
EVOL, now you are rationalizing. All this Bilstein this and that, equates to the same thing...lift without changing the control arm points. The lift from a taller shock, adjustable shock, strut spacer or coil spacer is the same to the suspension. It doesn't know the difference. So any of the same "problems" the dirt boys preach will happen with a strut spacer, will happen with an adjustable shock too. The control arm points don't change, the knuckle didn't change, therefore its all the same thing. CVs and ball joints in this case don't know the difference between a strut spacer and an adjustable shock of the same lift. Its all salesmanship on the part of guys who...cough, cough....well lets say apparently are in this inner circle with guys who are into this whole desert racing thing, if you catch my drift.
tentundra i thought you were done arguing with us. why don't you leave your theories about the "circle of desert racers" in your head. even if spacer lifts weren't bad on your front end, why would you want that horrible ride that comes with it? btw D67 doesn't race desert
EVOL, now you are rationalizing. All this Bilstein this and that, equates to the same thing...lift without changing the control arm points. The lift from a taller shock, adjustable shock, strut spacer or coil spacer is the same to the suspension. It doesn't know the difference. So any of the same "problems" the dirt boys preach will happen with a strut spacer, will happen with an adjustable shock too. The control arm points don't change, the knuckle didn't change, therefore its all the same thing. CVs and ball joints in this case don't know the difference between a strut spacer and an adjustable shock of the same lift. Its all salesmanship on the part of guys who...cough, cough....well lets say apparently are in this inner circle with guys who are into this whole desert racing thing, if you catch my drift.
Dude, you are completely wrong here.
A spacer adds total lenght of the shock, an adjustable lift shock does not. Adjustable lift shocks adjust the spring tension not the length of the shock. The companies design this based on the drooped suspension of your truck. Spacer companies just jam a block of steel between the shock cup and the top plate of the shock. This is where issues happen.
You pull your coilover out and measure it from eyelet to the top plate and you are going to have a longer extended length than the IVD or SAW or BURG or FOX or KING or whomever because that is what a spacer does.
The adjustable coilover is designed to only allow a certain amount of extension, a spacer has absolutely no ability to do this other than the length of that spacer, which we have seen what "can" happen with spacers.
Go to your lift shop buddies and measure them yourself. you will see the difference.
__________________
08 Silver Crewmax 5.7 4x4 SR5...
Work in progress...
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT MAKING A NEW POST??? TRY SEARCH FIRST!!!!!
Re: Why most spacer lifts are bad....
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