Teraflex 2" lift?

442stu · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:15 pm

Anyone have first hand experience with the Teraflex 2" lift? Not looking for input from the "anti-spacer-lift" pundits here, just first hand info from any actual users.

This is an "above the strut" spacer, as used on many IFS trucks, which maintains stock compression and extension. Not a "jam a spacer on the strut, under the spring" daystar type which causes coil bind and spring fatigue due to loss of extension and compression distance.

Also, does anyone know if the OME or any other front struts have better extension and compression numbers than stock? Seems that even the OME spring up front would cause the same loss of extension as a spacer if not.

thanks,

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

Too bad I cant respond......

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

I don't think I've ever actually heard of someone installing this. But with an over the top spacer you'll keep you factory ride but you will be causing a lot of stress on the CV half shaft joints. Most of our lifts, actually use the same shock lengths. By dropping the shocks full extension you're actually going to be popping CV half shafts often. $100 a pop won't be cheap.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2015 6:49 pm

Basically what NAM said. The over the top spacers move everything down. Sure you keep the same ride, but because you're now 2" down you over extend everything(CVs, tie rods).

As for your 2nd question, most are about the same length as stock, Ironman front shocks are a tad longer. I think it's about 1/4", maybe a little less.

442stu · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 1:01 pm

So then how does using a taller spring not have the same effect? Does it not also move everything down by way of its increased height? Also, the taller stiffer spring may put the shock out of center and cause it to over-extend. By using the above strut spacer, the extension and compression distances remain the same as stock. I see many guys using one or two 1/4" spacer plates above the strut, and a few 1/8"conduit nuts below to "level" their lifts. Why not just use a 1" spacer above to achieve 2"lift? Any way you lift the vehicle you are increasing the angle of the CV joints. The only way to remedy this is to now lower the front diff. as is done on other IFS lifts.

Just trying to understand the physics.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 3:08 pm

442stu wrote:

So then how does using a taller spring not have the same effect? Does it not also move everything down by way of its increased height? Also, the taller stiffer spring may put the shock out of center and cause it to over-extend. By using the above strut spacer, the extension and compression distances remain the same as stock. I see many guys using one or two 1/4" spacer plates above the strut, and a few 1/8"conduit nuts below to "level" their lifts. Why not just use a 1" spacer above to achieve 2"lift? Any way you lift the vehicle you are increasing the angle of the CV joints. The only way to remedy this is to now lower the front diff. as is done on other IFS lifts.

Just trying to understand the physics.

It is all about the stress the budget lifts create and how they are acheived
To compare a full spring lift to a budget lift is like comparing onions to apples, both maybe round but the outcome of use is different.
NO ONE uses 2-1/4 inch top plates, can not be done safely at all due to length of the bolts
But you are again comparing things that can not be compared.
A 3/8 inch clevis is no where close to adding 1.5-2.5 inches of Daystar spacer nor is adding 1/4 inch top plate the same as adding 2-2.5 inch top mounted concoction
Without getting into a 20 paragraph explanation , just trust us that many have " tried to prove us wrong" over the last 13 years
but they all in the end swapped over to a full spring lift due to wearing parts out faster, bad ride, yes it will ride bad

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

442stu wrote:

So then how does using a taller spring not have the same effect? Does it not also move everything down by way of its increased height? Also, the taller stiffer spring may put the shock out of center and cause it to over-extend. By using the above strut spacer, the extension and compression distances remain the same as stock. I see many guys using one or two 1/4" spacer plates above the strut, and a few 1/8"conduit nuts below to "level" their lifts. Why not just use a 1" spacer above to achieve 2"lift? Any way you lift the vehicle you are increasing the angle of the CV joints. The only way to remedy this is to now lower the front diff. as is done on other IFS lifts.

Just trying to understand the physics.

I know where you're going with your thinking. But a full spring lift doesn't push down on the shock, it lifts the Jeep up. Which takes away extension travel for the shock, saving the CV from bring drooped too far.

Whereas the over the top spacer will actually shift the suspension components down to lift the Jeep. Which leaves the same extension travel for the shock, causing the CV to droop too far and bind and start popping ball bearing out of place.

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

NAMoulton1 wrote:

442stu wrote:

So then how does using a taller spring not have the same effect? Does it not also move everything down by way of its increased height? Also, the taller stiffer spring may put the shock out of center and cause it to over-extend. By using the above strut spacer, the extension and compression distances remain the same as stock. I see many guys using one or two 1/4" spacer plates above the strut, and a few 1/8"conduit nuts below to "level" their lifts. Why not just use a 1" spacer above to achieve 2"lift? Any way you lift the vehicle you are increasing the angle of the CV joints. The only way to remedy this is to now lower the front diff. as is done on other IFS lifts.

Just trying to understand the physics.

I know where you're going with your thinking. But a full spring lift doesn't push down on the shock, it lifts the Jeep up. Which takes away extension travel for the shock, saving the CV from bring drooped too far.

Whereas the over the top spacer will actually shift the suspension components down to lift the Jeep. Which leaves the same extension travel for the shock, causing the CV to droop too far and bind and start popping ball bearing out of place.

Ding ding ding.......someone paid attention to IFS suspension 101

442stu · **Posted:** Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:21 pm

Thank you NAMoulton1 for a clear answer that makes sense.

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

442stu wrote:

Thank you NAMoulton1 for a clear answer that makes sense.

You're welcome. I tried explaining it as simply as possible.

Ted15 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:23 pm

I had a very similar lift to the Teraflex. My biggest problem was the front shock topping out. The stock springs just aren't strong enough to keep off of the bump stops.
I'm rocking a modified OME suspension lift now with no regrets, except that I found this forum to late. Mostly because the guy at the place where I bought the spacer lift told me not to listen to the guys on the forums, which made me want to search out the forums lol.

Teraflex 2" lift?

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