95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

quick question regarding strut spacers

Old Dec 4, 2003 | 08:24 AM
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quick question regarding strut spacers

I made spacers for my 98 Tacoma that go above the struts to level out sag from bumper and winch. Whats the method for removing the front struts?

Thank you.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 08:36 AM
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Bottom bolt, then top three bolts.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 08:42 AM
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Thanks. Will the strut come out by not compressing it? Do i have to disconnect the sway bar?
Thanks for the quick reply.

Last edited by zedex; Dec 4, 2003 at 08:43 AM.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 08:47 AM
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You do not have to compress the coilover assembly to remove it from the rig. Disconnecting the swaybar will make it easier to remove the assembly from the rig, but is not absolutely required.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 08:50 AM
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Thank you very much.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 08:54 AM
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No problem. You realize that putting the spacer above the pack, you will be putting some pretty large stresses on components, right? That's why most of the commercially available spacers go in the pack, below the top plate and require a spring compressor to assemble.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 09:30 AM
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Stresses on components? Can you give me some examples? I made my own spacers so i dont have to use them. I can build other spacers if this will cause problems.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 10:13 AM
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How thick?
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 10:32 AM
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1.5 inches. But i can mill it down as its uhmw.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 10:51 AM
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THe biggest thing to keep in mind is that spacer thickness does note equal amount of lift. For example, the Cornbred 1" spacer that goes in the coil pack is only a half inch thicker than the stock top plate. And this gives you right at 1" of lift.

Similar happens outside of the pack. Revtek makes a top spacer as part of their kit that is about 3/8" thick and gives you about 1/2" of lift. The other thing about spacers outside of the pack is that if you go too much, it can cause things to bind and rub at full droop.

Search for the Daystar front lift and take a look at how it uses two spacers, one inside and one outside the strut, this is a pretty good set-up for a spacer lift. If you look at enought pics, you could prolly build your own. If you want to raise your truck about 1.5" then you need 0.5" in the pack and .25' on top, or about .75" in the pack...

Hope this makes sense...
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 11:01 AM
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Thanks. Will do.

After reading a bit i think i will toss my spacers and buy some heavier springs. Less hassle.

Last edited by zedex; Dec 4, 2003 at 11:16 AM.
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Old Dec 4, 2003 | 11:29 AM
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Better springs are easy, too.

And just to clear one thing up regarding the Cornbred spacers, you don't use the factory top plate with these, the spacer replaces it. Also, check the For Sale section, there was some spacers there, but I haven't seen any coils in a while...

Good Luck,
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