"top plate" spacer

[Montana Cruiser]

I currently run Performance Products springs, and LOVE the ride they provide, but would like just a bit more lift, so I was considering adding a small spacer. From what I have read in the past, the type of spacers that go IN the coil/strut compresses the spring, doing two things, creating a harsh ride and shortening the life of the spring. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with these "Top Plate" spacers from ToyTec, appears that maybe these go between the coil pack and the strut tower instead of inside, is that right? Would this give me lift but preserve the ride?

Front Top Plate Spacer Kit - 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

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jacket]

I had those in my Tacoma for a short while before I upgraded the springs. The Toytec ones give you about another .5" IIRC. They go between the coilover and the top plate mount, so it's a slightly different concept that a spring spacer lift. You are not preloading the coil spring itself with the top plate, but instead pushing down on the a-arms to affect ride height.

Specifically to your question, I think that because you aren't compressing the spring as much with a top plate as you would with with a spring spacer, and the fact that it's just around a 1/2", it won't do much to affect the ride.

It's really easy to swap it in/out, so there's not much harm in getting the top plates and trying them out. If you change your mind, just unbolt and remove the spacer. Make sure you get longer bolts for mounting the top of the coilover that will work with the extra length of the spacer.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I had those in my Tacoma for a short while before I upgraded the springs. The Toytec ones give you about another .5" IIRC. They go between the coilover and the top plate mount, so it's a slightly different concept that a spring spacer lift. You are not preloading the coil spring itself with the top plate, but instead pushing down on the a-arms to affect ride height.

Specifically to your question, I think that because you aren't compressing the spring as much with a top plate as you would with with a spring spacer, and the fact that it's just around a 1/2", it won't do much to affect the ride.

It's really easy to swap it in/out, so there's not much harm in getting the top plates and trying them out. If you change your mind, just unbolt and remove the spacer. Make sure you get longer bolts for mounting the top of the coilover that will work with the extra length of the spacer.

Jacket - Thanks for the response, I was thinking that would be the case, the top plate would not be preloading the spring, but wanted confirmation. I usually do all my own work, but when I originally got these springs I did not have time to install my self and had a shop do it, so I was not 100% sure on the set up.

Anyone actually just build their own top plate spacers? It was suggested on another forum I could build my own out of some kind of high density plastic?

Cheers - Nate

 

[Bighead]

It has been done with HDPE. Not sure if it was a good choice of materials. When I pulled the spacers off to swap to Tundra coils, I found both the HDPE spacers had split.

 

[bowyer2002]

I built my own front spacers from schedule 80 tubing and 1/4" plate steel.
I had them on my truck for about 70K miles and only removed them to install C/O shocks!
They worked great and I am putting them on a friends truck after they get a new coat of paint.
I'll get pictures and some dimentions up after I get home.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I built my own front spacers from schedule 80 tubing and 1/4" plate steel.
I had them on my truck for about 70K miles and only removed them to install C/O shocks!
They worked great and I am putting them on a friends truck after they get a new coat of paint.
I'll get pictures and some dimentions up after I get home.

That would be awesome! Thanks! ...... whats schedule 80 tubing?

 

[Dini]

I bought some spacers from Ebay that are Hellbent Steel brand. I got the 2" lift fronts to level my truck. They work great. No issues with them at all. Inexpensive and easy to install. They bolt to the top of the strut so you don't have to compress the springs to take them on/off. I ran 32" Cooper Discoverer STT's for a while with that lift.

 

[bowyer2002]

montana -
Here are some pics of the spacers that I built, installed and ran for about 100K until I bought c/o shocks.

Bolt holes are 1/2" dia.
The center ID is 2"
3-1/4" center to center on the bolts pic #3
Flange is 4.5" across pic #2

Today it may be easier & cheaper to buy them like Dini did - but the spacers performed fine and allowed me to run 33" pizza cutter tires.

 

[Dini]

That's basically what mine look like. I think mine were somewhere in the $40-60 range if I recall correctly. I'm sure material to build those wouldn't cost as much. It was just easier for me to buy them online and install them.

 

[bowyer2002]

Dini -
there are A LOT more options for spacer lifts now vs. then.
These were designed by me and I had a guy (TIG) weld them up for about $50.
Unless you have the equipment, skill and want - I'd go the route you did.
I was cool, for a while, to say, "I have a custom lift."

 

[AimCOtaco]

Top Spacers v Coil Spacers:
With top spacers you are moving the travel range downward.
With Coil spacers you are not relocating the range, just the rest height.
Top spacers can do damage so some vehicles when wheeled hard because things over travel.
Top spacers can kill your upper and lower ball joints and CV's
Just be careful, they will overload some vehicles but not all (don't do it to a first gen taco for example).