Offroad-Ability W/ Spacer Lifts vs. Suspension Lifts

BrendonR · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:22 pm

Well folks - I'm going to start early here and ask some peoples opinions of the quality of spacer lifts vs. Suspension Lifts when it comes to off-road manners.

I'd like to hear some pros/cons of the two setups - as well as some pros/cons of specific lifts. I'm trying to gain a better understanding of lifting in general, and what it will net me on the trail.

I'm considering a spacer lift (Daystar/RockKrawler), simply because of the cost - they're WAY cheaper than a suspension lift. To my understanding, spacer lifts keep all stock components - and simply place in a spacer between the top of the strut/suspension, and mounting point. As per my Dad - Old School lifts were done with Hockey Pucks (maybe a canadian thing?). A spacer lift should keep my body/skids/etc. from bottoming out on the ground (or at least help), however, my suspension will still bottom out with the same amount of travel as stock. Is this correct?

A Full suspension lift (ala JBA 2.5"/4") replaces all suspension components, increasing both suspension travel AND ground clearance. More expensive - but possibly worth it?

Again, I'd like some opinions and advice WAY ahead of time. I have a lift cleared by the fiance/wife in 18 days - but.... it'll be all based on when the cash comes in to be able to PAY for aforementioned lift kit.

In the RockKrawler kit, what are the fork looking peices included? they confuse me completely.

Thanks alot folks - The wheelin bug has already bitten... hard....

Brendon.

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:40 pm

Well your in luck, I'm about to head outside and install my Rock Krawler kit. The kit consist of new (longer) front strut forks and spacers for the rear. If you look at your front suspension the strut forks connect the spring/shock assembly to the lower control arm. Doing the "budget" lift this way takes stress of the front shocks. By adding a spacer to the front springs you add stress to the shock by having it travel more then it was designed to. That is why they recommend extended rear shocks. I got Skyjacker shocks for the rear. Part number H7071, they are the shocks that JBA used to use in their 4" kit. I believe he now uses Bilstein.

Here is a pic of my setup.

BrendonR · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:19 pm

Jeeze Mike - that was shipped to you what? a week ago? 10 days? it's not installed yet!!!???!!!!! c'mon now, get with it!

Write up and How-To pics btw.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:27 pm

Spacer lifts...................

1-retain OEM junk coils that will sag even faster with preload on them(AKA the spacer) and give a harsher ride.
2-limits suspension travel,you have no more articulation(for the front) then running stock.
3-most do not include longer rear shocks,extended bumpstops,or extended rear brake lines that are really needed if your going to actually take it offroad.
4-RK lifts have been known to be shipped with grade 2 bolts

Full coil lifts....................

1-more articulation
2-better ride
3-longer lasting coils
4-come with correct length struts/shocks
5-may or may not come with extended bumpstops and/or brake lines(options for JBA lifts)

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:47 pm

Yeah its been a few days that I've had it. Trust me, I've been itchin to get it installed, just been really busy.

Well, its DONE!

Here is a sneek peak ... more pics and info to follow.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:54 pm

Mike08Liberty wrote:

Yeah its been a few days that I've had it. Trust me, I've been itchin to get it installed, just been really busy.

Well, its DONE!

Here is a sneek peak ... more pics and info to follow.

You sure you got those rear shocks facing the correct way? Most are the other way around(not all).

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:56 pm

I got the shock from Digger, he told me to mount them piston down ...

BrendonR · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:08 pm

I was curious about something else too Mike - your K&N intake... what happens if you get it wet off-road? I guess It can be extended to any intake of that style (mopar/k&N/AEM) - what happens to the vehicles water fording ability?

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:17 pm

BrendonR wrote:

I was curious about something else too Mike - your K&N intake... what happens if you get it wet off-road? I guess It can be extended to any intake of that style (mopar/k&N/AEM) - what happens to the vehicles water fording ability?

If you totally submerge the intake into water then you'll sucks some up and water log the engine. For you to totally submerge the intake you'd really have to get yourself into a pickle. Ive been through some deep water crossings (over the top of my tires and up to the fenders) and didn't have any issues. The trick is to keep a slow and steady pace so that way you don't really start to suck a lot into the filter. It's just something that you have to be careful with.

SkinInc69 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:48 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Mike08Liberty wrote:

Yeah its been a few days that I've had it. Trust me, I've been itchin to get it installed, just been really busy.

Well, its DONE!

Here is a sneek peak ... more pics and info to follow.

You sure you got those rear shocks facing the correct way? Most are the other way around(not all).

^^^Ditto^^^ It is stamped on the shocks with an arrow which way they go. My Cummins shocks are inverted but they are Blistiens.

Mike08Liberty · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:58 pm

I didn't see any arrows on them but I'll check again ... Digger has Bilsten's on his now and he has them inverted. When I asked him about these he said "I would mount it down. I had them mounted up at one point, but was told that it was wrong. (<-- this is in reference to my Skyjacker shocks) Also on the bilsteins, they say mount it that way"

I'll check for an arrow that shows which way to mount them.

Mr Nick · **Posted:** Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:25 pm

I went with the Revtek spacer lift for a few reasons.

1) I couldn't afford a full coil/strut lift at the time
2) It's the smallest amount of rear lift, so no worry on brake lines.
3) Front lift is a combo of OTT (over the top) spacers that go between the strut and the vehicle body & a poly spacer that gets installed 'in' the strut along with stock spring.
4) This is the main reason, I just don't know if I'll "need" a more expensive (and better) lift or not. I'll offroad lightly with this first, and if I get hooked then when the stock stuff wears out... I'll sell the spacer lift on eBay, get half my money back, and replace it all with a full suspension lift.

Side Note, my stock UBJ went out at 30,000 miles so I replaced it with JBA arms. Had I known the spacer lift was going to cause that to happen so soon... I may have just rode stock for a year and saved my pennies for a better lift to begin with. However, I don't think any other KK owners have had their UBJ fail yet. So maybe mine was just a fluke...

I'm new to the offroading scene, but not to the automotive hobby in general. TJKJ tells it like it is. If you plan on any half way decent abuse to your vehicle, buy the good stuff the first time. I've been into muscle cars for a while, and I've learned that lesson more times then it should have taken to get into my thick head.

Offroad-Ability W/ Spacer Lifts vs. Suspension Lifts

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