30mm Spring spacers worth it?

[ariff]

So as per usual I am always working on a budget and don't have a lot of money to put into getting a "real proper" lift.. I came across a set of nice low mile original springs for free I am thinking about using them to replace my old 284k mile springs.. So that got me to thinking if I am going to replace the springs would it be worth adding 30mm spacers to get a little more lift? I have done lots of searching and some say yeah totally worth it and some say no.. Some say no problems with caster and others say could be an issue with caster.. So I figured I'd start a new thread to get some thoughts from you guys.. You think it is worth it to add spacers? Will I have any issues needing caster correction if I do just stock springs and 30mm spacers? I am thinking no.. Thanks for any tips!

 

[flintknapper]

By adding the 30mm packers you would be raising the vehicle a whopping 1-3/16" (over stock height). I can't imagine that would influence much of anything (steering geometry).

Your old springs are certainly tired and sagging some by now...so the 'realized' increase in height from where it is now....might be as much as 2-2.5", but won't exceed factory stock height by more than inch or so.

So...I'd say yes, if you want a modest lift until you can afford to put something better under there, go for it.

 

[BILT4ME]

You shouldn't need any caster correction with adding replacement factory height springs and a 30mm spacer. The stock suspension can usually do a 2"-2.5" lift without caster correction.

You can do it all on a budget.
I watched 'Mud for the right opportunity to come up and I knew exactly what I wanted. When the opportunity presented itself, I jumped and was able to work it out quickly. I watched for 2 years to achieve it, but I was in no hurry. It still took me another 9 months before I was ready to install it.

I chose the OME 2" lift with Heavies F/R and the OME heavier shocks.

Post in the local club what you're looking for and you may find it.

I did my entire lift in 8 hours in my driveway and that time included 1-1/2 hours of drilling and tapping on a broken bolt.

If you need new shocks, go with the factory Tokico shocks, as they are inexpensive and will work, even with the 30mm spacers.

 

[bicycleagent003]

I just want to say big ups for working on a budget. I, too, try not to sink too much cash into my Cruiser habit, and many of us simply don't have the coin. Reading Mud can make you feel like you should spend all your money on your truck, or that if you don't have the cool bumper/rims/paint/seats/sliders, etc., you are not in the cool kids club. You rock your style, your approach, your budget, and you are good. We can all have envy (I surely do), but rest assured working on a budget is fine style. Rock on.

 

[jpoole]

A month or so ago I installed 30mm spacers all around on top of my stock springs. My 80 is a '97 with 220k miles and measured 21" from hub center to flare bottom. I was happy with the stance (balance of height front to rear and side to side) and with the ride of the springs. For me, 30mm was the perfect refresh and makes the truck look fresh/healthy without really changing the center of gravity or suspension/steering function in relevant ways. Coupled with new OE tokico springs the ride is awesome and the stock size tires don't look embarrassingly small. I plan to step up to 285s when I get new tires and they should fit really well also.

A big perk to going this route in my book is that the springs are settled in and I could easily predict what the results of adding the spacers would be without worrying about sagging over the first year or two etc. that new springs may experience. If I add big weight (bumpers/etc.) I'll go to new/appropriate springs but for stock weight the stock springs, 30mm spacers plus OE shocks work great in my opinion.

 

[Dindu Nuffin]

One of the guys I wheel with is budget minded and has a 1" body lift with 1.5" front Metaltech spacers and 30mm packers in the rear, on stock springs with no caster correction. It's actually a really, really decent setup. If I didn't have the weight I have necessitating a legit lift, I'd rather run his setup instead of my Dobinsons.

 

[ariff]

Thanks everyone for the input.. I guess I'll go ahead and give it a go.. I did check the color codes on the springs and they match up to what I currently have so the springs should be the same. I am thinking of going with these guys in AU..
Spring Spacers
Cost me about 75 bucks shipped not bad considering the Manafre ones are 100 bucks plus 25 shipping..

 

[jpoole]

Those look a lot like the ones I installed, in case you wanted another option:

https://www.amazon.com/Dobinsons-Po...35743263&sr=8-1&keywords=dobinson+30mm+spacer

https://www.amazon.com/Dobinsons-Po...35743263&sr=8-2&keywords=dobinson+30mm+spacer

 

[ariff]

Those look a lot like the ones I installed, in case you wanted another option:

https://www.amazon.com/Dobinsons-Po...35743263&sr=8-1&keywords=dobinson+30mm+spacer

https://www.amazon.com/Dobinsons-Po...35743263&sr=8-2&keywords=dobinson+30mm+spacer

Yeah saw those but they are $150 for all four..

 

[kevinkevinkevin]

Hey, @ariff!

I know this thread is old, but how'd the 30mm spacers go? I just got new OME stock height springs (2861 and 2862). Wondering if I should go 30mm spacers in the front and 10mm spacers in the back (per Slee's recommendation -- to eliminate the stink bug). I'm wondering if it's worth getting the spacers because I don't want to go through the hassle of the caster correcting bushings with the 2.5" lift, but I'm worried that the stock height won't feel as balanced with 285's.

Any recco's?

 

[ppc]

Lift is lift. Taller springs or spacers makes no difference. You will still need caster correction with either.

 

[kevinkevinkevin]

Lift is lift. Taller springs or spacers makes no difference. You will still need caster correction with either.

Didn't realize I needed caster correction for 1" "lift"

 

[ppc]

May or may not be required. Every vehicle and every driver are different.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Hey, @ariff!

I know this thread is old, but how'd the 30mm spacers go? I just got new OME stock height springs (2861 and 2862). Wondering if I should go 30mm spacers in the front and 10mm spacers in the back (per Slee's recommendation -- to eliminate the stink bug). I'm wondering if it's worth getting the spacers because I don't want to go through the hassle of the caster correcting bushings with the 2.5" lift, but I'm worried that the stock height won't feel as balanced with 285's.

Any recco's?

Send it

Didn't realize I needed caster correction for 1" "lift"

Chances are you will be just fine without caster correction, especially without 35" tires overpowering your steering.

 

[RubyCruiser]

Reviving this thread as I am considering the exact same route as @jpoole on fully stock “97 with 275k OEM springs. Curious how 30mm on all fours worked out and if you have any pics of the final product with 285s on.

In my case, I am not wheeling this thing at all and I just want a refresh for suspension and increase clearance for 285/295s so they don’t look stuffed on level ground without going to a full 2” lift. I know that’s the “right” way but it is not necessary at all for my intended use. Less budget reasons but I just want to avoid wasteful spending on things I don’t need for a simple refresh/slight lift over stock. I REALLY want to avoid getting in castor correction and geometry problem solving, although I know that can be rig specific once you start tweaking things.

Thanks!

 

[jpoole]

@RubyCruiser I've been running the same stock spring, spacer setup on 285s for years and have no plans to change things. I did end up adjusting caster because to add a little more straight-line stability on the hwy. The caster change wasn't really necessary but I wanted the 80 to be as stable as possible on long trips, including for when my wife drives it, so I basically added caster until front driveshaft vibes showed up then backed off a bit.

Here's a side-shot that gives a sense of ride height now. Not the best photo but only one I could find. I need to snap a few next time I'm out.

 

[RubyCruiser]

@RubyCruiser I've been running the same stock spring, spacer setup on 285s for years and have no plans to change things. I did end up adjusting caster because to add a little more straight-line stability on the hwy. The caster change wasn't really necessary but I wanted the 80 to be as stable as possible on long trips, including for when my wife drives it, so I basically added caster until front driveshaft vibes showed up then backed off a bit.

Here's a side-shot that gives a sense of ride height now. Not the best photo but only one I could find. I need to snap a few next time I'm out.
View attachment 3857257

Looks really good! Nice CE by the way but had to double take with the pre-‘95 grill.

Attached is current stance on 305/70s (same diameter as 285s). I looked into stock height Dobinsons which will add a little lift anyway but thinking i may leave the OEM springs and just try 30mm spacers first, then go from there. Easier to sell spacers if I don’t like than coils.

 

[jpoole]

FYI, I also run airbags in the rear which come in handy when towing or loaded down. They are usually at 5psi and don't add relevant ride height but give a lot of control of ride height in the rear.