Dangers of Strut spacers

[Loosey]

If the aftermarket kits aren't running longer shocks, then you actually decrease the droop of the wheel as the shock is stretched further to accomodate the longer spring that gives you the lift.

[mow44u]

The down travel is limmited by the UAC hitting the spring.

The main problem with strut spaces is that because you have spaced the shock, down, the bump stop doesnt do its job of limiting up trave, to prevent damage to the shock. The shock then free to fully compress as it has been spaced down away from the bump stop, and nothing limits up travel, becauseThis constant compression of the shock over time leads to its failure. Espacially with poor quality shocks such as the factory ones

If you space down the bump stops accordingly, in theory you should be fine. Personally, i wouldnt run them, but my mate does. He has a 2 inch Old man emu lift with a spacer to give him another 2 inches.
He has had this combo for 2+ years and has never had a problem. He only spaced his bumpstops down 6 months ago. (After seeing me break a bilstein shock because of bumpstop issues) This may be because the OME shocks are better able to handle the abuse compared to stock ones. I have seen tough dogs break through the use of a spacer though.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9377&start=20
Consequences of having no bump stops, very simmilar to using a Strut spacer without spacing down your Bumpstops accordingly

[WinM70]

Tough Dog struts break without the help of spacers



Lee.

[cruizzee]

Hi guys another newbie here and my stock 09 lux sits low on the front and i thought about the spacers but since reading all this thread i have changed my mind as my lux carries my wife and kids and is a daily driver.Thank you so much for everybodys input and keeping everybody safe..

adam

[cuelley]

Fit extended ball joints and aftermarket bump stops and all problems are solved. I'm sick of hearing about this!!

[wainui123]

Fit extended ball joints and aftermarket bump stops and all problems are solved. I'm sick of hearing about this!!

x2 I am running standard springs shocks 50mm spacers and diff drop and 33s for 3 years and no probs.Drive it like you stole it and you will brake any setup.Take mine to hell and back but drive it like the ifs it is.

[Loosey]

Fit extended ball joints and aftermarket bump stops and all problems are solved. I'm sick of hearing about this!!

Not everyone knows this, or is even advised about it when the bloke behind the counter is just selling the spacers as a be-all/end all cheap solution to sag.

[wainui123]

In my case I couldn't justify buying all new suspension on a brand new vehicle.I thought I would wait for sagging but as its turned out setup is working fine with no damage.

[deansyoda]

okay, so before everyone thinks im a bit slow im just a tad confused
i currently have a 2" all round billies lift in a 07 hilux, it sits lower in the front, not due to sag as they are basicly brand new!
snake racing advertise a 1" add on kit, to even the ride heoght at the front, so it would be a 3"/2" ride,
is this what everyone is talkinh about? the same kind of gear?

[cizzink11]

Yes.

It puts the cv on a dangerous angle.

[deansyoda]

even of it comes with a diff drop kit?

[cizzink11]

No.
There are blokes here running the spacers with a diff drop kit but you will lose down travel.

[deansyoda]

ok, thanks for the help mate, bit to think about before splashin cash around

[kyle300exc]

In short you are modifying suspension by using the spacer, it is not the ideal way to get extra height but an after market accessory that offers a cheap alternative. With fitting them you run the inherant risk of failure because of the pressures to the strut which are added by the process.
The diff drop kit is purely to reduce the angle of the cv axles which comes with raising the front suspension and is used with other lifts as well usually with those over 2 inches.
In saying that there are some members running them and are very satisfied. So best to read this whole topic and make your own informed decision.

[tulula]

Imo guys, strut spacers and say adjustable coil overs work xactly the same way. Either method u will need to xtend ur bumpstops accordingly as to avoid damaging the shock. More so overcompressing. Height Adjustable Coilover assemblies are usually matched with a shock that will allow sufficient travel at the highest settings. You will not loose downtravel via a strut spacer. Downtravel is limited via the uca contacting the spring or bumpstop which ever comes first. Xtended upper ball joints will allow further droop but u then have to consider the length of your cv too. Too much droop and ur cv will pop out. Hence bumpstops are essential. Winding a height adjustable coilover increases the length of the strut from below the spring. Strut spacers increase the strut length from above the spring. Essentially the only geometry change would b is where to top of the strut rotates as the suspension oves up and down. And also a minor angle change of how the strut sits. Ofcourse strut spacers are the cheaper alternative but they do work effectively if used correctly, ultimately gaining height through a spring lift matched with the correct shock is the ideal way. And also a note, height adjustable coilovers do not actually increase the spring length, just the total length of the shock. So in away, by winding it up is essentially adding a lower spacer. Hope this clears up some points if you choose to agree. Cheers guys. Happy lifting!!

[Dmoss]

I have a 05 hilux with a 3 inch lovells lift kit but still the nose is lower, how can I level it out?
Are 25 mm spacers the only way or is there another solution ? Some people say don't use them others say they have no probs with spacer/ diff drop kit set up!Can someone please help me?????

[packeteer]

our utes are built nose down for a reason!
soon as you put load in the back, it will level out, or go nose up if already levelled. nose up is dangerous

[twake34]

Thanks for all the great info guys - makes life for new Hilux owners like me that much easier.

I have recently fitted ARB Old Man Emu suspension to my DEC 05 Dual Cab Diesel. Now although not a lift, this suspension has raised the car a little. Think the front came up 2.5 cm and the back 4cm (something like that anyway). This has made the 'nose dragging' look even more pronounced however - AND I HATE IT. It looks ridiculous!

Question - is there a spacer that would fix this and still be OK to fit since I'm not running standard suspension? Obviously I don't want to kill my wheels at the end of the day, but i would like to get away with not fitting a lift kit after I've just dropped a truck load on this suspension.

Thanks

[mattwilly]

Twake,

I had the same problem. After loading up the front with a winch and bar I had that nose down look. I hate it and I rarely carry much weight in the back. I purchased some 10mm strut spacers from ebay. They are the smallest I could find. It lifted the front up 15-20mm. Its still a little nose down but looks 100x better imo.

Having said this, I'm no expert. I haven't done any serious off roading since installing them and my mechanic isn't heaps confident on the angles of the CV joints (I think they are ok)... Time will tell I guess. I'm happy for now.

[twake34]

Thanks for the insight mattwilly.

Is it the standard suspension your running that 10mm strut spacer with?