Should I buy A 3" Ruff Country Spacer lift for my 07 Fj Cruiser?

[fjcruzza]

Hey Guys!

I was shopping around for a lift, and saw a great deal on the 3" Ruff Country Spacer lift for my 07 Fj Cruiser. I dont have much money left since i bought my Fj but at the same time dont want to buy total crap. And If this lift is no good...does anybody know of a good 3 to 5" lift for a good deal? I plan of using my Fj for commuting/Camping/Exploration/ Fishing type stuff, Id like to run 33's with a three inch lift and or 35's with a 5"... Any thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thx

 

[1911]

For the most part, you get what you pay for in coil-sprung rig lifts. If it were me, I would save up for a real lift instead of buying a spacer lift but YMMV. Look for a second-hand OME lift if you're on a budget; there are a number of folks (myself included) who end up selling their OME lift after upgrading to something even better.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I'm in agreement with above, don''t waste your money on something you will replace and getting nothing in resale.

I'd start with looking through some of the build threads, take mine for example (click the link in my sig) and see how others have built theirs.

Bigger isn't better, won't give you more clearance to run bigger tires (you can run 35's on OME), 33's are as large of a tire I'd go before I regeared the diffs. I know its hard to take your time and there are lots of vendors wanting your money.

The best advise I could give is to keep reading, continue to refine what you want/expect out of the FJC. Also, know that the FJC is extremely capable off-the-shelf, some fresh rubber (like a BFG KM2 255/85/16), sliders and Budbuilt skids, you can take it most anywhere you want to go.

hope this helps...

 

[BMThiker]

I'm hearing good things about the Ironman kits from Eli/Camel 4x4. On par with Old Man Emu but several $$$ less.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I'm hearing good things about the Ironman kits from Eli/Camel 4x4. On par with Old Man Emu but several $$$ less.

Same here, nice to have another option for a solid suspension package...

 

[fjcruzza]

You guys are great help!

Thanks for the advise!

Does anyone run the ruff country spacer lift? Its only about 250 dollars and takes 2 hours to install, thats why i was thinking id buy it till i can afford something nicer. but first i need to know if its going to be ok...

Cheers!

 

[Mtbcoach]

There are cheaper options if you want to go with a spacer lift. You understand it is simply a "hockey puck" that is placed on top of the strut, not exactly the best way to "lift" a rig.

For $250, you are 1/3 of the way into OME or Ironman suspension upgrade package.

FJ Cruiser OME NITROCHARGER SPORT Suspension H OMEFJCHKS

Ironman 4x4 Home

You can find many who ran this, then upgraded. If you are bound and determined to go that direction, look at Toyteclifts.com...

 

[BMThiker]

Ironman kits range $640-$712
Camel 4x4: FJC 2007+

OME Kits can be had for less than $800
Old Man Emu Suspension kits for FJ Cruiser - Search Shopping

Installation should take about 4-5 hours, if you are methodical, and less if you have help and have done it before.

 

[Capt Sensible]

To your question. Short and simple, no. Get an OME (I don't know the other company these guys are talking about, but I'm sure if they're talking about them they must be good). Save yourself some money, in the long run. Good luck.

 

[fjcruzza]

Ok, Sounds good! I priced out the OME and i think I'll go with that.

Thanks Again guys!!!

 

[Mtbcoach]

Ok, Sounds good! I priced out the OME and i think I'll go with that.

Thanks Again guys!!!

You have chosen wisely.

Take pics and post them up when its all said and done...

 

[fjcruzza]

Only thing im worried about is, I would like to eventually run 35" tires..and the Old man emu kits are 2" or 2 1/2 inch...The iron man kits are also 2 1/2 inches...this seems small to me? and I would imagine i would not be able to run 35" tires without rubbing plus i dont want to trim fenders etc...and I would eventually like to take the truck in the bush....and rubbing tires would be a concern.

How are the 5.5 Procomp fj lifts...anyone have one installed...and or any other kits with at least 3 to 4" of lift.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Read my build thread. I ran 35's with OME 885/895 springs. As I stated above, bigger is not better. Don't worry about the "numbers", you will see one site claiming "X" amount of inches, another, with the same components say "Y" amount of inches. Only thing that will guarantee 3" is if you have an adjustible coilover (Icon) so you can dial to what you want.

I'm sure you know that adding dead weight to the body of the FJC (as in steel bumpers, sliders, skid plated, etc.), it will compress the springs, "lowering" the vehicle. You put OME 885/895 springs on a stock rig, it will "lift" it more than if you had a set of ARB bumpers, Budbuilt sliders and skidplates, adding 300+ pounds to the rig.

For best performance, one would want to keep the center of gravity low while running the largest tire that doesn't rub. The front end won't allow much flex with too much spring (giving more lift). I went through a set of OME 886 (heavy, OME doesn't recommend using them on the FJC "officially") allowing more "lift", yet, preventing any compression of the springs, giving a very stiff ride on-road, little "flex" off-road.

I have a felllow club member who had the Fabtech lift and he regreted doing it. You have to do some cutting and diff drop bracket that LOWERS the front ground clearance as compared to my OME set up with full skidplate coverage, something you'd have to have custom made.

IMHO, no need for anything more than OME/Ironman/Icon/King/etc. that keeps the rig as low as possible with a 35 x 10.50 tire, this set up has allowed me to take my FJC anywhere I wanted to take it...

 

[93 cruiser ben_jamin]

Here is a good starter kit for the FJ's 3" FJ Lift w/ front & rear coils - Toytec Lifts: Toyota Lift Kits: FJ Cruiser Lift Kits, Tacoma Lift Kits, Tundra Lift Kits, 4 Runner Lift Kits, Sequoia Lift Kits, Toyota Truck Lift Kits
just run the 884 coils with top plate spacers and the Toytec superflex coils in the back it will give you a great level look with 3" front lift and 2" rear lift.