Spacer lift vs. Adjustable Collar

Okay so please help me understand the difference between a spacer lift (I currently have a tough country level kit) vs. something like a Bilstein 5100 where you set the ring clip.

The way I see it, both ways compress and preload the spring, the only difference is that the spacer kit does it at the top whereas the adjustable shock does it from the bottom. Either way the spring is preloaded, giving you the extra height.

Or am I missing something here?

 

all you seek is here https://www.tundras.com/threads/guide-different-types-of-lifts.546/

I would suggest you avoid the cheap spacer lifts. There can be issues with them, they do not ride well and can cause shock failure or other issues if you do actually go off road. Coil over lifts will perform better and 5100s are not expensive. There are many good coil overs at decent prices- Dobinsons, Toytec, OME, 5100s, 6112s and then if you want to spend more kings, icon, fox etc....lots of choices.

 

I ran 1/2 spacers (1 inch lift) for many years on a 5th gen 4Runner and a 2nd gen Tacoma in and around the NYC area. I had 5100s on a few different Tacoma’s I owned and ran the Eibachs on the 4Runner (spacers were prior to all my aftermarket shocks). Truthfully the spacers were great and never gave me any issues. The 5100’s are good shocks about I was not a big fan even at the 1 inch setting. Simply put the were ROUGH riding on NYC potholes and such. The Eibachs were much better but the spacers with the OEM stuff was the most comfortable on rough roads IMHO. When things smoothed out I couldn’t tell much of a difference between any setup. The Eibachs took the cake though on higher speed jarring hits...hands down better than the 5100’s.

OP, I only have experience at the 1 inch lift zone so take the above with a grain of salt.

 

Yeah, I was just trying to understand the physics of it all, why one is different from the other. The link Frichco posted was helpful.

As I said I already have a spacer level on the OEM Bilstein 4600's and it's time to replace them. What I really wanted (6112s) apparently don't even exist in this universe right now so I'll probably just go back and have OEM put back on with the same spacers. UNLESS there would be a ride improvement by going with the 5100's, using the adjustment there and ditching the spacer at the top.

 

Go Coilovers, you'll never go back... Better than factory ride!

 

Can you provide a specific model you recommend? Link?

 

Sure Op.
TT Aluma2.0/2.5 series.. Rides killer

 

So I have had mixed messages regarding a lift on 3rd gen tundras.

I've had some people tell me preload collars is better for ride quality, and I've had some people tell my spacer is better for ride quality. I've also had someone tell me, that for what I'm doing (just daily driving) that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two.

I'm stuck. I have an AVS 2023 and I like the way readylift approached the rear lift, but they use a spacer for the front. Westcott uses a preload collar for the front, but they use arms that trick the sensor to put more air in the bags in the rear.

Readylift provides shock extenders. Westcott does not.

HELP!

 

Honestly look at it this way OP…

Regardless of lift method, spacer or Bilstein 5100/equivalent…the higher in lift height you go the greater affect it will have on ride quality PERIOD. I have never owned, driven, or ridden in a lifted Toyota Truck that hasn’t. It’s a give and take relationship. They only way to partially diminish those affects is by getting higher end suspension.

Ride quality is highly subjective…but it doesn’t change the fact that the more you modify the vehicle from stock, the more it is going to amplify changes in ride quality and especially handling characteristics.

 

We're not fans of spacer lifts, but then again we are big fans of high performance shocks. If you are curious to know exactly whats going on btw the two options you are questioning, this article may help:
https://accutuneoffroad.com/spacer-lift-vs-preload-spacer-vs-coilover-preload/