Level lift- spacers or full coil/shocks?

[skytrucker]

I’m not new to lifting vehicles, but it’s been a looong time since I lifted my 98 wrangler, and at that time I was willing to put up with some issues, because of cost and youth.
Now I want to do it as right as possible and the use case for my Lariat FX4 is a bit different. Its my daily mostly highway commuter, and sometimes fire road, light off-roader, I’m not tackling trails for the sake of completing them anymore, just trying to get to scenic views or camp spots in the wilderness.

I‘d like to fit slightly larger tires, something like a 275-285/70R17, or similar on the 18” Lariat wheels (though they’re not my favourite) and a little extra clearance for the rough NFS roads that “aren’t really roads”
so what are the pros and cons of leveling via spacers vs coils? Other than obvious cost.
I’d do the work myself, and it seems that would be very similar for both. Something like Eibach stage 2, or the new Fox front coil overs, vs a 1-2“ spacer on top of the factory set up, leaving the rear as is, or matching the shocks only if ride quality suffers with a mismatch of aftermarket fronts.
Thanks!

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[superj]

i don't offroad so i just did a spacer on the front and lift shackle in back to keep the rake. i installed everything myself and its super easy to do, even compared to a wrangler.

my father in law did the spacer up front and a lift block in back on his ranger. ford did his install though

 

[03GeeTee]

For tires I think you can run a 265/70/18 (about a 32.6" diameter) on stock height before you level or 275/70/18 (33.2" diameter) after a level. Another option is 255/70/18 which is just over a 32" diameter. Some tires in that size like the Cooper Rugged Trek have a 32.5" diameter.

It's more expensive, but I think you'd be happier in the long run with new struts/coilovers than with just a spacer. I've never personally run a spacer level, but have friends with them. They're fine, but not as good as a leveling strut or coilover. The install cost/ work is going to be about the same for both of them, so might as well just go with the better option up front IMO.

Eibach looks like a nice option, I've also been thinking about getting the Bilstein 5100s made for a Bronco since they're quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Jason B]

A good set of coil overs can improve the ride over OEM and spacers. Plus, many coil overs are height adjustable.
Spacers can be had for around $60; coil overs start at $1K

 

[yerkool]

I’m not new to lifting vehicles, but it’s been a looong time since I lifted my 98 wrangler, and at that time I was willing to put up with some issues, because of cost and youth.
Now I want to do it as right as possible and the use case for my Lariat FX4 is a bit different. Its my daily mostly highway commuter, and sometimes fire road, light off-roader, I’m not tackling trails for the sake of completing them anymore, just trying to get to scenic views or camp spots in the wilderness.

I‘d like to fit slightly larger tires, something like a 275-285/70R17, or similar on the 18” Lariat wheels (though they’re not my favourite) and a little extra clearance for the rough NFS roads that “aren’t really roads”
so what are the pros and cons of leveling via spacers vs coils? Other than obvious cost.
I’d do the work myself, and it seems that would be very similar for both. Something like Eibach stage 2, or the new Fox front coil overs, vs a 1-2“ spacer on top of the factory set up, leaving the rear as is, or matching the shocks only if ride quality suffers with a mismatch of aftermarket fronts.
Thanks!

Personally, if you’re gonna lift it, spend the money on some good quality coil overs and a good quality pair of UCA. Especially if your gonna do it yourself, don’t waste time and effort of your labor putting a hockey puck piece of metal when you can put some really great quality coil overs,UCA and done right the first time, ride right like a stock, and looks pro done right…

 

[daytoncarter]

Spacers are strictly for lifting to clear larger tires or leveling the truck. They don't change your spring rate, and generally, they don't reduce your downtravel. New springs, on the other hand, are primarily for correcting sag if you plan on adding a heavy bumper or winch later. Just keep in mind that taller springs on a stock strut might cause the dampers to operate outside of their optimal travel range.

If you’re looking to improve performance, coilovers like the Eibach or Fox units are the way to go since they offer much better damping for off-road compliance. Just remember that the factory dampers are tuned to work as a matched set. If you upgrade the front, you really should change the rear shocks as well to compensate. Keeping the stock rear shocks with high-end front coilovers often results in a "split" feel where the back end feels busy or unsettled compared to the front.

 

[superj]

i put eibach 5100 adjustable shocks and struts on my previous truck, a 2017 nissan titan, and they mad a noticeable difference in the bouncy feeling i would get on turns and rough roads. no more feeling like the front was tapping sideways while turning. and they let me adjust the height to level the truck.

keep an eye out on places like market place and ebay and you may find a set someone never installed for super cheap. thats what i normally do and i got the front and rears for my titan for 150 bucks from a dude moving out of state and had sold his truck.

 

[Elfman]

Don't spacers run the risk of breaking your front suspension setup? I've seen it mentioned on this site and in YouTube videos, but I'm not a seasoned expert. Many more of you on this site seem to be seasoned experts as well, but don't mention this. It would seem to me to be a reason to rule out spacers altogether, as their upfront cost savings would soon be overshadowed by much more expensive parts replacement in the not too distant future. What am I missing? Why aren't more of you advising against spacers? I'm honestly just asking.

 

[daytoncarter]

Don't spacers run the risk of breaking your front suspension setup? I've seen it mentioned on this site and in YouTube videos, but I'm not a seasoned expert. Many more of you on this site seem to be seasoned experts as well, but don't mention this. It would seem to me to be a reason to rule out spacers altogether, as their upfront cost savings would soon be overshadowed by much more expensive parts replacement in the not too distant future. What am I missing? Why aren't more of you advising against spacers? I'm honestly just asking.

Ford's factory front suspension allows for at least a one-inch spacer (2 inch effective lift) without significantly harming reliability based on experiences.

Beyond that yes, you do get into excessive angles risking damage.

Lifting via springs/spacers has the same effect on angles. You'd need to drop the front diff, steering rack, stabilizer bar, get new control arms if you wanted to maintain factory levels for those parts regardless of lift method.

 

[yerkool]

Ford's factory front suspension allows for at least a one-inch spacer (2 inch effective lift) without significantly harming reliability based on experiences.

Beyond that yes, you do get into excessive angles risking damage.

Lifting via springs/spacers has the same effect on angles. You'd need to drop the front diff, steering rack, stabilizer bar, get new control arms if you wanted to maintain factory levels for those parts regardless of lift method.

Yep one of the most important part in lifting is getting some good quality UCA that’s designed meant to have 2-3.5 inches of lift.

 

[superj]

i have 2.5" lift on the front and had ford do my alignment. no upper control arms changed and the dealer said the alignment came in perfectly fine. its been on for almost a year with no problems at 16k miles. my father in law has the 2" lift on front from spacers and stock control arms and no issues so i bet it depends on what you do with your truck as to whether you need those uca replaced with aftermarket. normal daily driving and some rough gravel roads, plus the 2 or 3 times a year of rocky river bed appear to not need replacement arms

 

[waffleso_0]

As someone else linked a good video earlier this morning, it has a lot of good enough I was not aware of and thought to share here.

 

[freundez]

Following this thread as I'm considering similar options for my 25 Lariat 2.7L. With something like the Eibach Pro-Truck, what is the maximum size tire one should consider? 285/70 or smaller? I'm also curious when you need to worry about different wheel offsets - assuming stock wheels are fine for 265/70?

Final question - with a pick-up where bed load will be a factor affecting rake, when do you need to worry about adjusting headlights, etc.? I never worried about it on my Jeep, but thinking it maybe a consideration on pick-up.

Thanks in advance.

 

[skytrucker]

Whoa, thanks for all the thoughtful replies! It seems at a minimum I’d do a 1.5” or so front coil over with matched rear shocks. UCAs are interesting, but may not be an absolute requirement at a relatively low lift height, but again, if I’ve got it all apart, why not put all the right bits in the first time? Is there any (mechanical) reason to NOT install UCAs even if they’re not 100% necessary? (more cost/labour notwithstanding)
it’s not that money is no object, but if I’m doing a modification I’d like to do it right,

now I’m down the ”fox vs eibach vs bronco Bilstein, or waiting for the rest of the aftermarket to catch up” rabbit hole!

thanks again! I’ll update when (if) the parts go in!

 

[skytrucker]

As someone else linked a good video earlier this morning, it has a lot of good enough I was not aware of and thought to share here.

and then I actually watched this and I might be back to squareone!
i agree that the raptor shocks are all techy and valved, but A) I don’t believe my FX4 shocks are, and B) if I change the whole shebangle, they should function properly as a shock/spring- coil-over set, no?

I do agree with the rake discussion as it pertains to handling though- I do want to raise the front a touch, but not entirely flatten the truck….the rear ride height would be dictated by the leaf spring, I think…not the shock alone…

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