T-Bars/Spacer Lift Questions/Pics

[Connorham]

I have a 2002 LC with 211,XXX miles. All stock except for 285/75 BFG KO2. Been a great tire. I am needing a new suspension. I drive 95% On Road as it is my DD. I also really like the stance of a modestly lifted 100.

I am looking to replace my shocks with OEM from Toyota, put a spacer in the back spring and adjust the torsion bars as needed. I want to keep the great ride. I hear OME and the like can be harsh without a full armor/cargo to weigh it down. Is that true?

For those who did the T-Bar/Spacer approach, how did it turn out? UCAs work well over time?

If you have any pics that would be appreciated too.

If you know of some reason I should avoid that and go all out please let me know as well.

Thanks

 

[geanes]

Here's a pic of a guys LC that is on OEM Toyota shocks and springs with 30mm rear spring spacers. TBs cranked for lift and rolling on 275/70/18. Most people LOVE that OEM is inexpensive and actually quite good. Maybe not IronMan ProFoam or ToughDog good, but OEM can handle almost anything you throw at it and last almost forever it seems.

 

[reznunt]

I am looking to replace my shocks with OEM from Toyota, put a spacer in the back spring and adjust the torsion bars as needed. I want to keep the great ride. I hear OME and the like can be harsh without a full armor/cargo to weigh it down. Is that true?

For those who did the T-Bar/Spacer approach, how did it turn out? UCAs work well over time?

I did exactly what you are planning and drove it like that for a year. Excellent on road, NO complaints. Soft marshmallow ride off road, especially when loaded down. Rocky and rutted trails took a little longer to navigate because I would have to wait for the truck to stabilize before I could advance.

Since it's the cheapest method I would say do it first and then change up if you feel the need. My upper ball joint boots took a year after the lift to crack and develop a leak. One of my newly installed front shocks started leaking oil after 10k miles, probably from too much hard topping out.

 

[geanes]

^^^what Reznut says above^^^

The only other thing to say would be that on extended corrugated off-road runs, OEM shocks can't dissipate the heat as well as the larger aftermarket shocks and tend to "stack" up and get real firm. But, you'd have to drive for quite a way in those conditions in moderately high temperatures to notice I think.