Dangers of Strut spacers

[helmut79]

Haven't fitted any yet, but I was just going to space the bump stop. Obviously there not the best solution but there not in any way dangerous .

Mate, there have been proven cases as per what Max has posted above that Strut spacers can cause damage to your front suspension. There are also other members on here who have run them for years with no issues.

If you continue down this path of deliberating try to cause a reaction from members you will be in breach of the below guideline.

5. No flame wars. There is no place for that on these message boards. Topics that are designed to start a flame war (defined as an offensive argument that serves no purpose but to make others upset.) will be treated as Spam and deleted without warning and/or notification.

We are all entitled to our own opinions but when the fact is there to prove the case in point your argument looks a bit feeble.

With that said I hope the strut spacers work out for you and they cause you no issues.

Lets put this one to bed

[Alby]

Of course I completely forgot the Hilux uses a coilover type configuration

Around $530 for the Bilsteins seems a much cheaper option. I've already got a steel bull bar though but the front doesn't appear to sit too low as it is

Better way to go IMHO for a few extra bucks upfront you have the base of a system you can build on rather than having a spend on spacers and wasting that money later.

[Luxed86]

Hi guys, firstly I have a 2011 sr5 dual cabv6,took the cheap option and put spacers in front to lift it 75mm lasted 1outing lol broke both shocks off at bottom, shouldn't of be a tight ass.
So it was a interesting drive home, and now I've just installed tough dog with 60mm springs but am not happy with the hieght, how an I get front to sit level with rear?

[mow44u]

Just put some spacers in there

[Luxed86]

Hahah been there done that, never again. I like goin hard off road and have broken the lux a fair bit, trying to make it a bit stronger but want the front higher, its annoying the shit outa me

[jaypes]

rekon/ultimate suspension

[VMN]

Hi guys, firstly I have a 2011 sr5 dual cabv6,took the cheap option and put spacers in front to lift it 75mm lasted 1outing lol broke both shocks off at bottom, shouldn't of be a tight ass.
So it was a interesting drive home, and now I've just installed tough dog with 60mm springs but am not happy with the hieght, how an I get front to sit level with rear?

Is the front too high? Add a bull bar and winch to pull it down. You really need to do something with the rear to match. Cheapest way out would the to have the factory springs reset. No matter what you do, there is always something else required. Not sure where you are, but I have some spare Tough Dog rear leaves here in Brissy that did not do too many miles. PM me if you are interested but you'd have to add the rear shocks to the list too which I am not parting with.

[Luxed86]

Cheers for that vmn but my problem is that front is still tooooo low with a 2inch lift , I want it close to level but ATM its about 50 mm diff

[fatboy]

Hi all! I have bilsteins that are adjustable and was wanting more height just like everyone so was going to adjust them up but after having a good look I realised I would then get even less down travel so thought strut spacers would be a good option, I remembered seeing dangers of strut spacers on this hilux porn site and had a good read, I do understand what the issues are but want to know what is the max size spacer that can be put in with no issue on the down travel end, this question has been asked but there is no answer yet. Cheers

[outbackjoe]

I think it depends on how far the strut can extend, which is unique for each type of strut.

[07luxyTD]

Cheers for that vmn but my problem is that front is still tooooo low with a 2inch lift , I want it close to level but ATM its about 50 mm diff

Did you put heavy, medium or comfort springs in the front? And do you have a bull bar,winch or dual batteries? I run a full tough dog system and it sits level. If you wanted you could probly by a heavier or taller spring to suit


Cheer Ross

[fatboy]

I asked for a soft ride for max flex but I don't really know what I got, the springs are ironman. I do have bull bar, scrub bars,side steps, batteries and all and I did tell the suspension mob that before ordering, anyway what's the difference between a longer spring and adjusting up the cir clip on the strut? From centre of hub to guard 530mm on passenger side 540mm on drivers.

[hilux_D4D]

Ok so i've just joined the forum, i bought my hilux last year and want to set it free in the bush......
Noticed just how bad the ride height is when i took it off the black spur... healsville to marysville (vic).
It's pretty much stock atm.
I was looking at strut spacers but after reading this its an obvious no go.
Previously i had a Maverick SWB with 2" body and 2" suspension lift and it went anywhere.
Where do i start with this lux????? please help.

Ideas at current:-
2" alloy body spacers?? but then with suspension im unsure..... ideas please anyone?
I'll get some photos up asap.

[jakelux]

Ok so i've just joined the forum, i bought my hilux last year and want to set it free in the bush......
Noticed just how bad the ride height is when i took it off the black spur... healsville to marysville (vic).
It's pretty much stock atm.
I was looking at strut spacers but after reading this its an obvious no go.
Previously i had a Maverick SWB with 2" body and 2" suspension lift and it went anywhere.
Where do i start with this lux????? please help.

Ideas at current:-
2" alloy body spacers?? but then with suspension im unsure..... ideas please anyone?
I'll get some photos up asap.

Mate your best bet is to spend a few nights scrolling through the forum looking at build ups and suspension topics, the SEARCH button is handy also!
You say you had a 2+2 on your Mav.. that is also a great setup for the lux if your willing to mod bullbars, sliders etc to match the body lift.

jake

[hilux_D4D]

Thanks Jake! I'm glad i didnt do the strut spacers now after reading the full thread.

[wainui123]

Love my spacers!! Truck sits nice 2inch spacers,dual batteries,full bar work,steel tray,extended shackles,2inch body lift and 33 inch tyres plenty of clearance.I have had the spacers in over 2 years and no dramas.My trucks been all over Yawal,Lithgow,Rydall Stockton,Watagans and a heap of other places and no damage to stock springs or shocks.I will upgrade when new running gear gets soft.I am not affraid to take the truck through the hard stuff (ask Kyle and Jamie they have seen it at Dusty"s) but if you drive it 100 miles in hour through the scrub you will break things.

[Skitz-4x4]

This forum is a temple of knoledge! Soo glad i read this.. I am fitting a 2in body lift soon and was going to get a 10mm strut spacer and space the bumpstop to level it out untill i get rekon down the track.. Do use think i'd get away with only a 10mm spacer whilst extending the bumpstop to suit?

Moreso for the wank factor as i hate having the lux on a massive downward angle..

Cheers scott

[Loosey]

Blackie (Dan) is running strut spacers, 25mm i think, and hasn't had an issue.

I think the main reason they were breaking/bending the bottom of the struts was the lack of a bumpstop there to stop the uptravel, then all the force being applied to the bottom of the strut, whether it be a pothole or such.

In theory if you compensate for it, i don't foresee there being a problem.

[00UCH]

i run 10mm spacers in the front have for about a year now, no probs ever and i give it hell too

[tingy]

MOst aftermarket suspension lifts give you more droop with more flex to maximize the amount of suspension over stock. I believe a 2" lift on a tough dog strut, you will get nearly 2" of extra droop. obviously the suspension companies calculate the correct and safe amount. And on full compression you get nearly the same up travel to stock suspension if that makes sense. So the shock 'stroke' should be longer on the aftermarket. A spacer just moves that stroke. you should get the same amount of droop and up-travel. Adding a taller bump stop won't decrease suspension movement but will stop it fouling on itself on full compression causing failure.