The effect of running a traditional spacer lift

A Traditional spacer lift is fine if you are not planning on doing any off-roading or if you are doing it strictly for looks to run a larger tire. But when it comes to off-roading this is what happens over a short period of time when it’s starting to show signs of failure. You can see the lose of suspension travel in this video 

[-wu]

I put a 3 inch spacer on my 4runner, but upgraded the bumb-stops to larger ones immediately after the install of the spacer, and it is about 12 or 13 years now and everything is fine. The larger bump-stops is spec for a 3 inch

[Glenn.Cooper]

Thank you!!! I've been looking for info on spacer lifts, and what you've showed me here sealed the deal - heck no! A great visual and great explanantion. Thanks!

[dwayneh]

Awesome teaching point. Go cheap and end up paying more in the long run. I will be using your kit for my 2021 TRD OFFROAD 4X4.

[forester_overland_nz]

Cool video showing why strut top spacers are not the recommended way to lift trucks. Though this is not a problem for McPherson struts where the bump stops are at the top of the shock 👍🏼 e.g. Subarus

[marc...]

The issue isn’t the spacer lift, it’s the fact that the spacer is too large. The same things happens when you lift too high with a traditional lift. To maximize articulation with Toyota ifs, keep your lift below 2.5”, preferably 2” with extended shocks. No more than 1.5” with a spacer lift and stock shocks.

[RunnerFromGeorgia]

The main problem is the bump stop, If we lower the bump stop accordingly, nothing will happen and nothing will bend, easy:))

[ElMalito]

The spacer itself is almost never the issue. Installing a larger/longer bump stop would've definitely helped out the OEM suspension live a longer life. However what always happens is user error. The owner figured "I'ma jump this bitch aka dirt cliff and do all sorts of crazy shit I'm not supposed to". The owner overestimated and underestimated the breaking limitations of OEM parts. OEM parts are designed to withstand upto a certain, going past that and reality starts to get real ugly fast.

It behooves to all individuals lifting their suspensions to invest in off-road extreme/hard hitting performance parts to compliment the spacers if one decides to put their vehicle to the test in off-roading and extreme baja 1000 torture race runs.

I'm an IT Specialist by the way and I have my 2013 F150 lifted and upgraded to ICON Vehicle Dynamic Strut Suspensions and ICON Vehicle Dynamic Upper Control Arms and Zone-off Nitrogen Rear Shocks. Took me a decade to save up the money and finally have the parts installed. Rides like a dream and off-roading is jazz event.

Cheers 🍻

[frictionhitch]

You're supposed to extend your bump stops to match. They have bump stops for a reason. Don't tell people who can't afford a fancy lift that they can't off-road, tell them about the crazy cheap solution that will save their struts.
PS your suspension is designed to travel 2 inches down it will be fine but your ride will be rough. Whater you do break will also likely be cheaper to fix than a fancy lift will cost you. Is it as nice? NO. Will it work? Yes.

[MrMandala]

How can it loose upward travel, there is actually more upward travel due to the increased bump stop gap. Install a longer bump stop which is very common to address this issue. The main issue still though is the loss of downward travel and of course the contact area of the strut.

[superwag]

I don’t know if it’s bottoming out internally in the shock. More likely the spring is being compressed solid and bending the shock mount .

[Z-Ack]

Thats why the kits come with extended shocks.. and steering column extension, spacer for your pinion angle of driveshaft, longer break hoses, leaf braces for axle wrap, longer u bolts, and maybe a whole subframe if youre going big.. but just using blocks is like somebody just torquing the torsion springs, , ive seen those bars snap before when dude was over tensioning it.. thing made a noise like a bomb., lol.

[hi]

No other option when lift kit not available and custom suspension more expensive than car.

[STB]

I’m looking to raise up my suspension 1” on a ford escape, I just want larger tires bc of where I live. Would adding larger bumper stops help reduce this issue? I’m new to the car community so any advice helps

[TariebiRobinson]

used a 6" lift on my tacoma and also included a 2" leveling a while I had issues with my steering rack....is the spacer the reason?

[bobelkiniii]

lol so a person would need to change the bump stop and that shock is way overdue to be changed I’m guessing instead a person should buy the 1500 dollar lift kit instead of the 50 dollar spacer

[ringrulepigs]

Can't you just install longer shocks?

Wouldn't that solve the problem?

[n.c.]

Im getting a 3rd gen 2024 Traverse (no off road use) and of course they dont make specific spacer lift kits for traverse's.... Do you think I would be able to get away with putting a Acadia or Tahoe spacer leveling kit on there??

[El_Basically_]

How does your product differ from a regular spacer? Isn’t it the same thing just as the spring collar instead?

[tpharo]

But you sell a 2.5 spacer kit; how is the mechanics different?

[lifeofmarco]

I plan on getting a 1.75 leveling spacer on the front, is that even enough to do anything? Will i be fine?