frozenSurf

Just bought a 2 1/2" lift springs and T-bars (ironman) for my Surf. To even things out in the front what is the best option?

1> Crank the T-bars & install Low-profile bump stops OR...
2> Install BJ spacers, leave the T-bars alone (low-pro bump stops again?)

I don't rock crawl & I have warn manual hubs. Most of my driving is on gravel fire roads to get me to the mountains for play. (I do like driving really fast on those roads though....) Usually the only time I have my truck in 4WD is when it's REALLY icy on the roads up here.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

-frozen

elripster

I'm not just saying this because I make the spacers, but the spacers with uncranked bars will ride and flex much better. I have ran both setups so speak from experience. Use them with stock extension (UCA) bumpstops. You can use low pro compression bumpstops.

Frank

jfreisner

I vote for option #2. If you want to increase the life of your CV's keep the tbars relaxed.

frozenSurf

Any risks of running low pro bump stops with the BJ spacers?

-frozen

elripster

It depends on which bumpstop. The extension stop should be stock. This is the upper bumpstop that limits how far the tire can droop. If one already has low pro extension stops, simply shim them up a bit. You can try running low pro extensions but you run the risk of binding CV's at full droop so it is operator beware.

You can use low pro compression bumpstops (the lower ones the LCA's hit) with no issues. I run them on my truck.

Frank

TC4RNR

i had the bj spacers because i do NOT want to crank the t-bars. reason is excessive t-bar crank will cause the CV binding.


sorry i have a hijack question for frank, do you have a part # for the bilstein 5100 shocks which works the best with bj spacer? i've been searching for a long time for that.

frozenSurf

I guess now is the million dollar question.... With 2.5" in the rear & BJ spacerser in the front can I run 33 x 12.5's? or do I still have to stay with the 10.5's?

-frozen

SkiRig

Question: Isn't the CV angle the same, given equal BJ spacer or T-bar lift? The lower control arm is still at the same angle is it not?

AxleIke

no. The LCA is down 1.5" or so.

frozenSurf

What about the million dollar question? Will 33x12.5's fit?

-frozen

kylextrisler

i run bj spacers w/ my tbars sligghttlyyy cranked and i run 12.50s w/ very little rubbing
on and IFS your gonna break CVs anyways, so a little cranking wont kill you
its kind've a way of life

elripster

Not all 33X12.5's are 33" tall and 12.5" wide at the tread. You can usually get exact dimensions from the manufacturer's sites. That said, you will see some people who squeeze them with little rubbing to those who have either pounded their fender seams quite a bit, installed a body lift, or a combination of both.

I wish I had a collection of what tires rubbed with which lift combos but I don't. That said, if you have some rubbing, and minor hammer operating won't cut it, you can still add a body lift to fix the problem.

I'll see if I can find that shock part number.

Frank

elripster

BTW, unless you wheel with your foot to the floor or run a front locker, you are not going to break many if any CV's with a lift or not.

Frank

elripster

This is proving to be a bit of a challenge. I'll return to it in a few hours when I have more time. I have been browsing here http://www.bilstein.com/offroad.php#5125

Frank

AxleIke

funny. I've only broken one with high angles. Ever since I relaxed my tbars back so the lower a-arms are back at stock, with the BJ spacers, I've yet to have one fail. I've got a ton of gearing and ARB's front and rear. 33x9.50's. It gets used hard.

If you keep your CV angles reasonable, it'll be hard to break them.

They are just as strong as a stock toyota straight axle.

I ran 33x12.50s for a year. They rubbed like a monster.

If you flex a bunch, this lift will not help you fit any larger tire than you did stock. If you just run on the street, it will.

SkiRig

Okay, bear with me here, how is the LCA on the T-bar lift down 1.5" compared BJ spacer lift? The LCA is down either way to provide the lift in either case since the spacers are on the UCA, is it not?
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...ntSpacer02.jpg

black diamond

i believe that if the t bars are relaxed, that uca will move up more than the lca will drop, i would go with bj spacers anyday before i would crank t bars y. i have 1.5" spacers. they give no rub clearance, and better on and off road performance than t bar crank, and easier on front equpmt. just my opinion.

SKNKWRX

Because with the BJ spacer your increasing the distance between the UCA and the LCA not pushing them BOTH down as with a T bar crank.

slosurfer

The difference is that the bj spacers increase the space between the UCA and LCA by 1.5" Therefore at full droop with your UCA sitting on the upper bumpstop, your drooping 1.5" more than with just cranked tbars.

edit: doh! you beat me to it

elripster

The difference when the vehicle is at rest as far as CV's are concerned between t-bar cranking 1.5" and spacer lift of 1.5" is nill. The difference is when the tire is at full droop. With spacers it is drooping 1.5" farther. While that does stress the CV's, the tire is drooping because there isn't any weight on it and therefore load on the CV.

That 1.5" more travel is a large part of the benefit of the spacers

edit: That's what I get for not refreshing my browser... sorry for redundantly answering the question.

Frank