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Suspension lift vs. Spacer differences...

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by scratchex, May 21, 2015.

  1. May 21, 2015 at 4:49 AM
    #1
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    3" lift TRD Exhaust 20" Fuel Lethal Wheels Toyo AT Tires Black Flares w/ spikes
    So can anyone tell me what the cons are to doing a spacer lift? Long term/short term? I've read several people say "it's bad for the truck long term" but what is it bad for and why? Reason I ask is because I'm honestly not sure if my truck came with a 3" suspension lift or a 3" spacer lift. I suppose I could try & find out from the dealer where I got it. Also if I'm going to be able to get the green light from the wife about purchasing a suspension lift for my brand new truck (and in her mind a new truck that's already lifted) I'll need to have some cold hard facts regarding the differences.

    Will I notice any differences when driving if I replace the spacer lift with a suspension lift? Right now the truck drives smooth as all get out (like luxury car smooth) to the point to where that's what everyone notices when they're riding in the truck with me.

    Keep in mind the truck isn't a daily driver and I don't plan on doing any off roading. I'll probably put 3k miles total on the truck in a year if that. Also is there a way to visually tell if I have a spacer lift vs. suspension? I plan on calling the dealership later today to see if they recall what they put on it but I figured I'd start here.

    Thanks folks.
     
  2. May 21, 2015 at 5:12 AM
    #2
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    If you have a spacer you can look at your front strut and see it. It will be between your coil spring and upper strut coil spring mount. It will look exactly as it sounds, just a spacer between the two. If you have a suspension lift the strut and coil are longer and one piece (not needing the spacer).
     
  3. May 21, 2015 at 5:13 AM
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    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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  4. May 21, 2015 at 5:17 AM
    #4
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    3" lift TRD Exhaust 20" Fuel Lethal Wheels Toyo AT Tires Black Flares w/ spikes
  5. May 21, 2015 at 5:27 AM
    #5
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    3" lift TRD Exhaust 20" Fuel Lethal Wheels Toyo AT Tires Black Flares w/ spikes
    I'm assuming these are spacer lifts that I have on the front/rear?

    FullSizeRender (5).jpg FullSizeRender (6).jpg
     
  6. May 21, 2015 at 5:29 AM
    #6
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Yep. That's the cheapest way of doing it. So that's how I would expect the dealer to do it.
     
  7. May 21, 2015 at 5:31 AM
    #7
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    If your rear is raised, it will have a block under the leaf springs. Not a spacer on your shock.
     
  8. May 21, 2015 at 5:40 AM
    #8
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    3" lift TRD Exhaust 20" Fuel Lethal Wheels Toyo AT Tires Black Flares w/ spikes
    Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification. Still learning. My truck is level but I think I see where they added the spacer in the rear. I crawled under to take this pic.

    FullSizeRender (7).jpg
     
  9. May 21, 2015 at 5:43 AM
    #9
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Yep. That's the spacer.
     
  10. May 21, 2015 at 5:46 AM
    #10
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    3" lift TRD Exhaust 20" Fuel Lethal Wheels Toyo AT Tires Black Flares w/ spikes
    Ok so if I were to replace the spacer(s) with a suspension lift and to keep the level look that I have now. Would I go with this suspension lift? I would like to keep the lift in the 3" range. If I went with this BOSS suspension system would I need to replace/add anything in the back? Or would I simply keep the spacer in the rear?

    http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/BOSS-Suspension-System-for-07-Up-Tundra-_p_1219.html
     
  11. May 21, 2015 at 5:50 AM
    #11
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Yes, thats one of the kits you can go with. You wouldn't have to change the rear block because you already have a 1 inch block installed. I would just change the rear shocks that come with the kit.
     
  12. May 21, 2015 at 5:57 AM
    #12
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    3" lift TRD Exhaust 20" Fuel Lethal Wheels Toyo AT Tires Black Flares w/ spikes
    Ok it's making more since, so replace the rear shocks & replace the front with the shocks etc..replacing the spacer in the front to accomplish the same 3" lift I currently have now but with a better overall system?

    Remember I'm making a case for the wife so i will be presenting my closing arguments soon. :D
     
  13. May 21, 2015 at 6:02 AM
    #13
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Fully understand. I just spent $2K on wheels and tires for a brand new truck. My wife did not understand nor was she impressed. I'm now walking a thin line. :argue:
     
  14. May 21, 2015 at 6:03 AM
    #14
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    You could use this picture of broken strut to convince your wife why spacer leveling kit is bad. This one had Truxx leveling kit, and as I remember, he broke it going over a pot hole.

    BrokenStrut OEM on Truxx leveling kit.jpg
     
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  15. May 21, 2015 at 6:10 AM
    #15
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    3" lift TRD Exhaust 20" Fuel Lethal Wheels Toyo AT Tires Black Flares w/ spikes
    Ok I made my case and the wife said "oh so you would be replacing the spacer with a suspension lift so that your truck will be more structurally sound? I get it." Boom the defense rests their case! I pretty much got the nod of approval. Now whether that's because she's on pain med's from her recent shoulder surgery or if she's of sound mind, I'm running with it! haha.

    I take it the BOSS suspension system I listed is better than the Pro Comp kits that 4 Wheel Parts sells? Also since I'm not adding any height to the truck I shouldn't have to do anything else to the truck (aka cutting any of the fender etc) since I'm just swapping parts & removing the spacer to accomplish the same lift height of 3"? I'll more than likely still have 4 Wheel Parts do the install for me.
     
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  16. May 21, 2015 at 6:15 AM
    #16
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Cant comment on quality of the kits (since I have not had such luck with the pregnant wife) but yes BOSS is a quality kit IMO. And no there should be no cutting of anything. Should be a simple swap.
     
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  17. May 21, 2015 at 6:15 AM
    #17
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    Awesome thanks for all of your help!
     
  18. May 21, 2015 at 10:50 AM
    #18
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I LOVE my Tundra BOSS kit! It rides smoother than stock.
    Lmk before u purchase if u go that route so I can get u in touch with Toytec..I think you get a small forum discount...
     
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  19. May 21, 2015 at 6:01 PM
    #19
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Agree with everyone above. I got the bilstein toytec ultimate lift and I'm happy with it.
     
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  20. May 22, 2015 at 8:31 AM
    #20
    ausei

    ausei New Member

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    my opinion is if your going to change stuff go bigger. i wouldnt change anything to stay the same. i have a level kit. before i did the rest of my lift. i had no issues with it.


    if you go bigger you can later add bigger tires if you want. but its up to you.
     
  21. May 22, 2015 at 8:40 AM
    #21
    scratchex

    scratchex [OP] New Member

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    I "think" i could do 35" tires w/ my current setup. I may hold off because after talking to Toytec & 4 Wheel Parts (for a fair amount of time) yesterday they both pretty much said the same thing in that I wouldn't be gaining anything by switching to the (3" lift) 3/1 leveling kit that they offer. They pretty much indicated that what I have now is fine.
     
  22. May 22, 2015 at 8:49 AM
    #22
    ausei

    ausei New Member

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    i have a 6" lift and its like pulling teeth. im trying to find someone to squeeze 37" tires. they said they would have to do a lot of cutting to just put 35" tires on mine. which i think is crap. i could settle for 36". i have time and shopping around for someone to do it.
     
  23. May 22, 2015 at 11:18 AM
    #23
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    On a 6"? uhhh shouldnt be much...if any.
     
  24. May 22, 2015 at 4:48 PM
    #24
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Related side note. I took a good look at my rear springs and they are stock with an added leaf. You can tell it had a more pronounced arch so when added with the others and clamped back together probably raised rear at least 1". I'll take a photo and add it here tomorrow. Back hurts and I don't want to get up. Heh Heh
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2015
  25. May 24, 2015 at 2:03 PM
    #25
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Fourth leaf down is added.

    CAM00130.jpg
     
  26. May 26, 2015 at 9:11 AM
    #26
    ausei

    ausei New Member

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    thats what im screaming, but we will see. still shopping around
     
  27. May 26, 2015 at 9:25 AM
    #27
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Kinda hurts just to look at the picture. I've been driving my truck for a year now with no issues with front spacer lift. Some of the old mining roads here that I drive on can be a pain at times. Lots of holes and bumps. Lots. Even more lots. (Moffat Road for you CO guys. You know what I'm talking about, 12,000 +ft) I looked for any marks/bumps made by the UCA's on my old coils which would happen at total bottom out with the spacers and there were none. Speed is probably a factor and I'm not exactly Pre-Running anything. Mostly just getting to where I go hunting.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2015
  28. May 26, 2015 at 10:35 AM
    #28
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I figure my pull offs will last long enough for me to buy your next set of pull offs from your next truck. 5 to 7yrs? :woot::woot::woot:
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2015
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  29. May 26, 2015 at 12:54 PM
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    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I plan on keeping this truck for many, many years.
     
  30. May 26, 2015 at 1:26 PM
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    Black Wolf

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