Suspension lift vs spacer lift

I think my question can be answered by the title of the thread. I’m not looking to go more then 3” total and I’m only gonna use her for light trails and more overland stuff then what I use my 99 TJ for. I already have a trail rig so I want something that the family can jump in and go. I looked at the Rough Country spacer lift, but I would like some advice please.

chris

 

I have a 2 inch spacer and AAL on my prerunner

And 2.5 inch OME and AAL on my TRD (obviously better than the spacer lift)

BOTH have JBA arms.

Offroad.....well I drive in my back yard. That's as far Offroad I go. Read that again.......in the grass.

On the road, ride quality is different (OME is more firm) but other than that, they both do what I need to. But I wouldn't go over 2 inches on the spacer lift and personally I would go full spring/shock over a spacer any day. I used the spacer that goes on top of the top plate mount. Have plenty of highway miles on both. About to trade the TRD in for a 4runner for the wifey

 

Spacers are bad. They overextend the front suspension. To the point where the UCA hits the coil.

Highly recommend spending a little more on a real lift. 5100 or Eibach adjustable front shocks. AAL in the rear paired with same 5100 or Eibach shocks.

 

If you can’t afford a real suspension lift, don’t do anything. Just save for one. Don’t waste money on a spacer lift to take it off later and buy a real lift you should have done in the first place.

 

Also, if you’re trying to do “overlanding”/camping shit you’ll want coils and rear leafs that will support more than stock weight, which you will not get with a spacer lift.

 

I agree 100%. I haven't had a issue with my spacer lift in over 50k miles but the most flexing my trucks get is the driveway at work. This is the first vehicle with a spacer lift, everything else I have owned has been SFA or had OME springs. I'm actively looking to replace it with OME springs.

 

I had a spacer lift on my trucl it lasted a.month on my truck before I ripped that garbage off and put on a real lift.

 

Yup. Not ideal but if it’s never seeing off-road conditions or added weight, it’s “acceptable.”

Money that could have been spent towards a real lift! I’ve never lifted a vehicle but forums like this have just instilled in me the “buy once cry once” mentality.

Just dropped money for parts for my OME lift. Getting installed on the 30th

 

I'm waiting to get my house paid off (about 6 months) and the prerunner is gonna get a upgrade.

 

If you keep the front spacer at or under 1.5" ( will give 2" of lift) you'll be OK for "normal" off road driving. Unless you plan to turn it into a rock crawler you'll be OK. Any more than that and you'll run into problems.

 

A good quality suspension lift will outperform a cheap spacer lift on and offroad. A 3"spacer lift on the tacoma will make it ride like your TJ along with possible coil bind. You will regret doing it.

 

+1 on adding a suspension lift. It will not just give you height but also a better off-road articulation.

 

Dude you gotta give more info than that for us learners. What prompted you to rip it off?
I'm a lift virgin. MY 2007 DCLB had 6" lift on it when purchased which was installed by previous owner. There is a 3" spacer on rear leaf springs and also a helper leaf.
Lots of projects I'm in the middle of right now and resources only go so far.
I need to determine expense incurred to remove spacer blocks with something better. And why would I want to?
I'm ok with the ride. Little stiff but it is a jacked up truck. Doesn't bother me.
Are there other concerns I need to be aware of?

 

My guess is that your 6" lift is a drop bracket lift in which case you are stuck with. Unlike other lifts. DB lifts are expensive to remove due to the front crossmember that was cut and removed for the DB lift.
As for why Dalegribber02 took his off? Likely because a 3" spacer lift had a stiff ride and he didn't want his shocks to be bumpstops.

 

Thanks for the response. Just to be clear I am not wanting to remove the lift but trying to determine if I need to replace the rear 3" spacers with another mechanism of sorts without losing the height.
Seems everyone bashes the spacer blocks. I have heard axle wrap, rough ride, ect...
I am looking for recommendations if I really need to come up with another mechanism for the rear lift or if it is ok like it is if I am ok with the ride.
many thanks

 

If you don’t have any issues or complaints, leave it be and enjoy the truck.