Simple question about strut shims.

Can a strut shim, such as a Coachbuilder 1/4", be installed to get a little lift on the top of a coilover Fox 2.5 shock? Having a bit of a discussion with a service manager about this issue.

 

You asking about the shims to take out the Tundra lean? I don't see why not, I always assumed they would work with any compatible Tundra strut. Don't take my word for it though.

 

I have one on each side of my 6112s.
That 1/4" shim results in 1/2" of lift...

 

Yes it can. I did the exact same thing on my Tundra to get an extra 0.5" of lift in the front.
Edit: I should add that I have the TRD Fox Pro suspension that already compensates for the driver's side lean.

 

On my old 4Runner, Wheelers Off Road recommended that I put a 10mm shim on top of the coilover on the drivers side only to compensate for the lean. That was because the aftermarket coilovers I was ordering from them (Old Man Emu) were not side-specific. The Toyota coilovers I was removing did already compensate for the lean.

If you’re doing aftermarket suspension that doesn’t compensate for the extra weight on the drivers side (battery, fuel tank, driver, steering column), a shim might be a good idea.

I don’t notice the Toyota lean as much on my Tundra, but I do have the factory Pro suspension, which is side-specific, presumably to keep the truck from leaning.

 

Yeah, that's what I tried to tell this service manager. I am just checking to make sure I am not bat crap crazy before I make a point. I am afraid I am going to have to bite back a little bit on this one.

 

I think if you talk with Coachbuilder, you will feel plenty comfortable about using their shims for the application you're describing. They make top quality parts. Best of luck!

 

Thanks. I got the shim in yesterday from Coachbuilder. The service manager told me that nobody puts shims on coilover shocks. I am just waiting on a pair of shackles and then they are going to put my whole lift package on my truck. I just wanted to verify that what I wanted will work and not totally unusual before I started pushing back. I hate making a fool of myself.

 

Might try something like that for my slide in camper setup. Go figure the gas tank and all the camper appliances are on the same side...

 

Sure. I understand your situation better now. I think what you're planning is pretty common. I should add that I think the maximum shim thickness that can be added is 0.5"...if I'm remembering correctly..old age!

 

My next question is if I let them do the lift without the shim and just add it after they are all done will it change the alignment?

 

Good question. I took mine in for a re-alignment and to fix the steering wheel center from a previous alignment after I installed a 1/4" CB shim on each side. The dealership fixed my steering wheel center but did not have to change my alignment. YMMV.

 

You can explain that it is basically the same as a spacer lift. Just a thinner spacer. It may be the word shim throwing him off a bit.

 

Are you having any tire wear issues? I put the 1/4 spacers are on 2017 4Runner and the mechanic said i didn’t need to realign it. After a few hundred miles I noticed some aggressive tire wear and brought it to Toyota. And many of the adjustments were in the red. Zero problems after that…

 

I haven't noticed any tire wearing problems so far, but I haven't put but maybe 3,000 miles on the new tires. The alignment report showed everything was still within specs after the shim install, so I felt pretty good about everything.

 

Thats good then…my mechanic didn’t did provide me with any reports. He just “said” it will be fine.

 

My dealership never offers freely, but I always ask for a copy of the alignment report. Good information to keep on hand whenever needed.

 

Why are you not adjusting the shock collar to compensate for the lean

 

The Fox 2.5 shocks give three inches of lift. To make that adjustment in the collars to level the truck would mean that I would have to remove half of an inch of lift from the right side which is the opposite of the goal which is to lift the truck. The end result is that I would only have two and a half inches lift in the front rather three inches.

 

I tried to explain it that way and the guy doesn't seem to get it.

 

BTW: Much better to have them add the shims when doing the coil-over install. I added the shims after the fact and it was a real PITA as you basically have to go through most of the same work to lower the complete shock assy. just to install the shim on top.

 

That's why you use adjustable coilovers, just adjust, a 1/4" more preload, whoopie!

 

If you have a half inch of lean, that means one side is starting out half inch too high. So by lifting the high side only 2.5 inches, you’re still ending at your desired 3 inch lift height.

adding shims on top of adjustable coil-overs is unnecessary

 

You are correct. Guess I was thinking too much about my non-adjustable coil-overs.

 

Really it all boils down to how you use the truck, do you need every fraction of lift. I want lift while loaded, so I went very HD suspension in the rear.

 

If you have a half inch of lean, that means one side is starting out half inch too low. So by lifting the high side only 2.5 inches, you’re still ending at your 2.5 inch lift height. It depends on how you look at it.

 

The big question is how much do you actually need 3"? Generally speaking a half inch isn't a significant percent of the total heighth. That said, did you actually measure both sides and verify any lean before you started?

 

I need as much as possible to minimize as much cutting as possible. I am going to some pretty big tires for a 3 inch lift.

I haven't measured the lean as we haven't done the lift yet. If it measures out good then I am good with not putting in the shim. If it doesn't measure out good the service tech refuses to put the shim in. He says nobody puts shims on with coil over shocks, which is wrong. That is the problem. I just want the option if there is a lean.

 

Before u start your installation make sure u check if u need the new longer bolt kit. On coachbuilder it mentions you need the longer bolts for fox shocks. I needed them for mine. He sells them pretty cheap on his site

 

Got UCA adjustment to compensate?