Coil spacers Vs Coils
 

Hey guys I'm new here and I have a question, I have looked all around and can't find my answer, so who best to ask then other Yota owners?

Okay, heres my standing point. I own a 96 4Runner LTD (with every option they offered in 96 locker, moon roof, leather, sound system, etc.) It has come time my springs are old and saggy at 20000+ miles shocks are shot needs 1 new strut (broke one so ones newer), snapped all my ball joints and ripped the CVS ($720 set back).

ANYWAYS 'nuff about my runner. It's time to lift this bad boy! Now I'm going w/a 3 inch lift, since I have IFS what is the disadvantage of a top stud coil spacer? How strong are they? I'm looking at a Toytech lift. This is NO pavement queen, I jump, crawl and do prerunning.

Anything would be appreciated.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...er_in_snow.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...id3/jumped.jpg 3-4 foot jump
(just an idea of what i do)

Hey, welcome to YotaTech..

In answer to your question, I don't have alot of experience with coil springs,
but I have a feeling that all of the 4Runner guys will tell you that
the best way to go about lifting the rear is to actually buy longer springs.

The best way I can look at spring spacers is to compare them with leaf spring blocks. Yeah, it'll lift it, but its a cheap way out.

Especially with what it looks like you use your Runner for, I would'nt take
any chances with weak components.

The rear im puttin in new coils, i don't like spacers on a solid axel. Its the IFS im curious about.

Definitely do coils instead of spacers up front. I did 2.5" Daystar spacers with LC coils in the rear and regret it now. The front springs (stock) are starting to sag because of the spacers. And, I seriously doubt the spacers would stand up to the abuse you'd likely give them.

As far as coils, there are several options. Tacoma springs with topouts are a popular choice here on YT. OME makes several springs that work, including the 882 and 883 series. Finally, you might want to consider coilovers. There are several brands out there and most will do just fine. Do some searching on the above options and see which will work best for you.

Good luck and welcome to YT!

If you plan on doing airborne manuevers you should definitely spring for new springs (pun intended). Shoring up you old springs with spacers will only accelerate the fatigue and sagging. You should also get some stiffly valved shocks to help out the pounding the springs will be taking. Beefier bumpstops would be a good idea too.

Look no further than Sonoran Steel. Steve is the guy who runs that outfit and if I had the 1200 laying around for their 1.1 kit, I would totally spring for it.

It makes use of LC coils in the rear and Tundra with topouts in the front. Has a 1" diff drop, comes with 2 new struts (Tokiko) and 2 new LC standard shocks plus all the hardware to make it drive down the road correctly and 'froad like mad.

Between him and Bamachem, they have the 4Runner lift nailed.