LIFT - Stock springs + Spacers?

[Schattenjager]

Considering spacers instead of OME springs. This just does not 'feel' like the right way to go, but I did use spacers on the Imperial Land Cruiser to mitigate the stinkbug attitude and had no adverse consequences. I LOVE the ride of the Lexus springs for daily getting around. I will carry some gear with me all the time - less than 100 pounds, and of course my pal Atlas, who weighs in around 72 pounds. I will also be towing a trailer the end of summer down the long alaskan highway to the Cassiar and was considering the use of airbags if needed to prevent sag under load. This is all theory, not the plan just yet.

My old LC rode very nicely with everything, I'm just not in a position to build this with ARB, winch, sliders as quickly as I did the last rig and I want to avoid a rough ride while I accumulate cool guy parts. I need new tires and want to get the 285/75's with a useable suspension, hence the thread.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I would go with the metal tech spacers fro the front, they move the spring and bump stop down. On the rear I'm not sure what would work I have not looked into spacers as like you they feel wrong. maybe do a spacer front and the OME stock height springs in the rear to cope with the trailer weight and give you a lift over the LX springs.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The use of spacers versus aftermarket coils really comes down to a couple of factors. Spring rate and suspension travel. You've already implied that you like the ride quality it has now with your planned loads. I'd load up the Cruiser as you would for a trip (sans trailer) and see how it handles... if its acceptable, get some spacers and longer shocks to compliment them. If its too soggy as most feel with the stock LC springs, increase spring rate (new coils) or airbags (as you've noted are the answer). Airbags have their own caveats and limitations, leaks, wear over time and the potential limiting of suspension travel not to mention cost. By the time you add a spacers, shocks and a decent air bag kit, you've often exceeded the cost of the coils and shocks themselves (consider coils are ~$160/pair).

I'd get some seat time in an unloaded OME equipped rig, rarely do I hear a 'its too stiff' on the 80 Series even when using the heavy load coils on an unloaded rig, they just ride so nicely in all forms with their suspension geometry and setup.

 

[coax]

My old LC rode very nicely with everything, I'm just not in a position to build this with ARB, winch, sliders as quickly as I did the last rig and I want to avoid a rough ride while I accumulate cool guy parts. I need new tires and want to get the 285/75's with a useable suspension, hence the thread.

You may already know this but you should be able to run the 285's with no lift. That said, the stock springs are probably 200 pounds of cargo from riding on the bumpstops. (My buddies stock 96 will hit the bumps if a normal sized person sits in the cargo area). Spacers might be a good way to move you a bit more up-travel for dirt roads and such.

Might be worth poking around in the classifieds on here and mud to see if anyone may be selling a used small lift? The point regarding spring rate is a good one; I'm definitely not an expert but I believe most of the aftermarket springs have a higher spring rate than the OEM springs. Won't necessarily ride "worse", just different, so definitely find a few rigs to ride around in before dropping a bunch of money.

hth

 

[Klierslc]

The airbags will only cost 100 dollars or so. I ran 285s on stock suspension with airbags for quite a while and had no issues. I would skip the spacers and start saving for springs...