Educate me on leveling spacers please!

[Glocker]

I'm considering leveling spacers for my FX4 truck. My plan is to upgrade tires in the future with a larger, more aggressive tire on the stock wheel. My off-road goals only include some light trail driving in the future. I would really like to do an ARB bumper with winch too in the future (Once bitten, twice shy! getting random people to tow you out of mud sucks!). I like the ride of the stock FX shocks.

I know the benefits of the spacers are they are much more inexpensive than other options (i.e.: Fox or Icon coilover systems) and they're easier to install. But what are the negatives?

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[OxyGenIII]

My opinion, some spacers are more work than coilover systems like Icon or Fox 2.0 because they have 2 spacers on some kits which require you to take apart you shock and place one on the spring seat and one above the top.

I've heard they are nice for getting the space you need, prices are fantastic.

 

[Frenchy]

Everything I have heard on spacers with these trucks are awful. I do some off road trails with my sport model and do fairly well as it is. I don't have a locker at this time so i am unfortunately limited on where I can go(found out the hard way the other day). Now I decided to get the Old Man EMU lift kit. It raises not just the front but also the rear. It is what I call a practical lift. when you load the rear it still levels out vs having the headlights point up. You don't just get shocks front and rear with front coils. you also get rear leafs. If you are not looking to put a winch on then the standard kit is all you need. They supply small spacers for the metal bumper up front. It is your call on what you do but that is what I would recommend.

 

[I_smell_like_diesel]

Spacers that mount to the top of the strut, will reposition the strut 2",2.5"3"(.... whatever size you buy) futher down. This could create issues with pushing the suspension and cv joints to their (or even beyond) their limits, towards to fully extended travel of you suspension. I used to run a 2" spacer and I was never happy seeing the CV shaft and UCA axles, when the truck was on a hoist or up on stands. If are on a budget, opt for a kit that has preload spacers for OE struts. If you're planning on hitting trail, those are the best options for a spacer kit because it wont then to "hyper-extend" the front suspension (when unloaded). That's just my 2 cents as a Professional Mechanic.... at the end of the day, you do you (same with everyone else).

I run Fox 2.0's now and I'm much happier them. I came from a basic Daystar Leveling Kit, just to fit bigger tires. You might look into Eibachs entry level strut kit as well. I've heard a lot of folks have been happy with them. If they are still on sale, they are almost half the price (if not, more) than the Fox 2.0's.

 

[Glocker]

How much does it change the geometry compared to what the aftermarket coilover kits change it? I'm talking those 2" and 2.5" kits that down use a lower control arm.

 

[RVA Overland]

How much does it change the geometry compared to what the aftermarket coilover kits change it? I'm talking those 2" and 2.5" kits that down use a lower control arm.

Great question. I put on a 2.5 inch spacer and no other changes. How would that affect CV joint geometry any more than the Fox 2.0 set at 2.5 inches or any of the other leveling struts. I am not an engineer but would suspect it would be the same.

 

[I_smell_like_diesel]

Great question. I put on a 2.5 inch spacer and no other changes. How would that affect CV joint geometry any more than the Fox 2.0 set at 2.5 inches or any of the other leveling struts. I am not an engineer but would suspect it would be the same.

No difference between on if the truck is set on the ground. Just the potential issue when the suspension becomes unloaded, there's nothing that a top mount spacer with offer to keep the suspension from overextending beyond its intended limits. Just trying to offer up a little insight between the two. Sure, there may be no binding but this doesn't away means it going to be 100% reliable and strong in situations you may end up in while wheeling.

 

[RVA Overland]

No difference between on if the truck is set on the ground. Just the potential issue when the suspension becomes unloaded, there's nothing that a top mount spacer with offer to keep the suspension from overextending beyond its intended limits. Just trying to offer up a little insight between the two. Sure, there may be no binding but this doesn't away means it going to be 100% reliable and strong in situations you may end up in while wheeling.

Thanks, appreciate the response to that. So is it the strut that prevents the over extension on a system like the Fox 2.0 vs a stock strut and spacer combo?

 

[I_smell_like_diesel]

Thanks, appreciate the response to that. So is it the strut that prevents the over extension on a system like the Fox 2.0 vs a stock strut and spacer combo?

Yup. If you are wanting to do some more abusive and harder wheeling... I would opt for a for a preload spacer or aftermarket struts (aftermarket coilovers will perform the best). If you're just going for looks or just light duty wheeling and fire roads, theres nothing wrong with just running top spacers. Just my personal opinion and expearience.

 

[commbubba19]

any lift on the front changes cv angles in relation to the uca.

the real damage would be that the oem shock can be damaged when fully unloaded / loaded vs an aftermarket shock designed for farther travel. I plan to do a 2" spacer lift as my off roading is light. I would not go 3" as i think it's too much for the stock shocks.

 

[Rp930]

i don’t mean to hijack but what about the spacer that’s goes on the lower spring perch. Seems ideal and stiffens the front end some. Anybody done it?

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