The Truth About Coil Spacers (AKA Jeep JK Budget Boost) | Inside Line

Follow along as we break down one of the cheapest ways to do a Jeep JK suspension lift, the coil spacer. We'll be adding a 2.5 inch coil spacer lift on our 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Since the first Jeep rolled off of the assembly line, people have sought inexpensive ways to lift them. As a general rule, a basic Jeep JK suspension lift will create more ground clearance and allow you to fit on larger tires. Both ideal for anyone who’s looking to spend more time on the trail. As the Jeep platform has evolved, so has the way we lift them.

Starting in 1997, the Jeep Wrangler moved to a multilink suspension configuration that used coils to support the weight of the vehicle. This is still what is used today and what we see under the Jeep Gladiator. Moving to a coil-sprung suspension opened up room for a new era of inexpensive suspension lifts via the coil spacer. While coil spacers appeared long before the Wrangler platform, the 1997 to 2006 TJ platform made them a commonplace item on the market.

A coil spacer, or budget boost lift as they are often called, uses either a steel or polyurethane spacer to raise the vehicle. These typically sit on top of the vehicle’s existing coil spring and generally go up to 2.5 inches in height. The big draw to these kits is that they are extremely low cost. In fact, many can be picked up for $200 or less. With just about every suspension manufacturer offering some level of spacer-style lift, prices and included components can vary wildly from one company to the next.

In this video we are looking at why coil spacers lifts are so common along with installing a 2.5 inch spacer lift on our 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

[johnsimms]

Just put on a Teraflex leveling kit for ~$180. Lifts the front 2" and the back 1" to get rid of the factory rake. Also put on some 33s and it looks and rides fantastic. Highly recommended.

[mathew]

Thanks. This is very helpful. You’re right when you are happy with the comfort of your suspension there’s nothing wrong to use spacers. Most of the shop insists to install after market lift kit right away. You save me to spend couple of bucks. Great!

[sergiofranco]

One of the best explanations of when to use lift spacers comfortably. Really appreciate it!

[johnhannon]

Great Video! Stock Jeeps are incredibly capable so there is no need to spend thousands unless you looking to get into some serious hard-core wheeling. I just put on a leveling kit that brought the nose up 2" and the rear 1". I am running 295/70/17's with zero rub. A quick (and free) jk fender trim will easily allow 35's with no rub.

[dirtsailoroff-road]

it will not give you better articulation, but it will improve approach, breakover, and departure angles and allow you to run a slightly bigger tire. with that being said, I think its great.

[betweenthepines]

Did the teraflex kit on my JT, it was nice to keep the factory fox 2.5” and mojave coils. Rides like a dream and plenty of room for my 35’s or 37’s in the future. Still very capable! Good enough for mist in my opinion

[Fail-Safe-]

Ordered it for my 09 Liberty limited. Fitting a 2010 Wrangler rims with 33’s

[RJayRabbit]

If you have a Rubicon it comes with a better suspension so this isn't a bad deal for intermediate trail riding imo.

[regularguyfixes]

I installed spacers only. Everything else is factory. Didn’t require shock extenders etc. everything’s been working for over a year with no issues that I can see or feel. 35” tires. $90 spacers from Amazon.

[Unmployable]

Almost no one goes off-road with their trucks. And if they do it Is less than 5-10% of the time. People act like if they put a lift kit on their trucks they will magically stock going to Walmart. Lift kits are over priced so getting something cheap that does the same job is a plus

[yakitoriPB]

You can put the factory Mopar LCA that are longer for like 65 bucks

[gpalacioss]

Thanks a lot for your video; it was really useful to clear my mind regarding this coil spacers. I just have a couple of questions; what kind of tools do you need to do it by yourself? Could you share the type of tire you are using? is the rub a problem or it is something you can live with? Im not a rock crawler; Im more interested in overlanding with some offroad.

Thanks again for your great explanation.

[APtS_GhstHuntR]

I need some help. I have a daily driver Toyota Hilux and I want to add some wheels and bigger tires and was thinking to do a 2inch lift using a strut extension. so many people are advising me not to do it and do a full suspension upgrade. and my truck is a 4x2 rear wheel drive. should I spend $1500 for a suspension lift or $50 for a strut kit?

[dentray]

So helpful! I am a mall crawler and not afraid to say it :)

[staceyparedes]

This is such a helpful video thank you! Super informative

[adamj]

Nice video - hey I'm looking to just balance out the rake caused by adding a steel bumper/winch on my '21 JLUR. Not really trying to upgrade to 35"s until I need new tires, I do off road it, mostly moderate trails - mud/ruts, some rocks - Uwharrie, etc. Any issues with a 3/4" spacer on the front just to balance out the rake for now. think I need to go to 35"s when the time comes to swap tires I'd probably do a full 2" lift with shocks, LCA's, etc.

[antoninjirasek]

Hi, nice video, what is your opinion on polyurethane coil spacers? I'm quite new to this and want to add some 4-5 centimeters to my car and cant find any that are steel..

[msburrage]

I have a 2 1/2 in spacer lift on my 2015 JKU and 35’s. I have after market inner liners and I am rubbing when off roading. Can I get a taller spacer lift and if so would I have to upgrade any of the suspension parts? Or is 2 1/2 as tall as you can go and keep stock suspension

[jacksonstandley]

i just need it for mt tj for clearance, my tyres barely barely rub on the outside of the stock tj fender flares so for my its just so my tyres can tuck up better

[markkalsbeek]

Hey, I got a question for ya. If you install the shock extender the displacement on the spring will, of course, be compensated and your spring rate is the same. What if you leave that out and just compress the spring more? That would increase the spring rate right? Now I understand that there's no such thing as a free lunch, and something will probably go wrong I somebody was to try that, I'm just trying to figure out what exactly.

Your suspension will be under a higher load when the car is off its wheels, but I find it hard to imagine that the weight of the vehicle will not be more than that pretension already is. So when it's sitting on its tires the load must be the same as before the install. Will the higher spring rate wear the other suspension components faster?