Augster

Glad you got it sorted!

I am curious how the 3" runs on 09+ so can you do us a favor and run over some speed bumps and report back if you hear the clunking of the Upper Control Arm hitting the coil springs?

TopGun

i did some offroading an hit some
michigan potholes and yes unfortuantely i have the clunk.

2010_FX4_Boston

Were any of them an FX4?

I bought and plan installing an Auto Spring 2.5" (highly recommended it seemed).

Anyone else install... Problems, advise?

easy smeasy

put the 2.5" on the fx2, NO PROBS!

Razorback150

I did an assload of research before I bought the bilstein 5100's for my last truck(a 2010 Toyota Tacoma). And every forum I went on, and every mechanic I talked to said the same thing...NEVER USE SPACER LIFTS!

I was told that on any truck, regardless of make or model, that adding a spacer alters the suspension geometry in such a way that doing any off-roading, or even hitting the wrong pot hole, can very easily result in a broken shock. And possibly worse.

Using a shock like the 5100's just loads the spring and therefore doesn't alter the geometry of the suspension in any way.

I have read way too many accounts of people using 2"+ spacers breaking off road to want to even consider it. I don't do a lot of off-roading, but when I do I sure as hell don't want to risk a broken shock because of a little bump in the trail. I'm sure this won't stop anyone from installing spacers, but my recommendation is obviously the 5100's, good luck to all.

easy smeasy

5100 are the best way to go, but $75 sounds alot better to me especially when i dont do any off roading. ive put the spacer on just about every truck ive owned and never had a problem. that being said i know they can cause future problems, but how will it affect the shock any? the shock is basically in the same position it was b4?

Razorback150

By adding a spacer you are effectively making your strut assembly 1-3" longer. The control arms, mounts and OEM shocks were not designed for this, and don't always handle the new stress that this adds to the suspension. Keep in mind that the negative symptoms usually only occur off road, so if you never go off road you probably will never have any issues.

When you add the 5100's you are just pre-loading the shock for lift and not adding any length to the assembly.

This is my understanding of how these things work, I could be misinformed.

easy smeasy

oh ok, yea that makes sense. but like i said, never gonna take a $30,000 +/- truck off roading, thats what they make 4 wheelers for lol. well serious off roading anyway. i cant say i wouldnt cut some donuts in just a muddy field.

cbogger

I just put a 2" readylift in my 2011 fx4 I have the clunk now, I'm going to take it out and see if it goes away, if it doesn't I'm taking it back to the dealer and getting it fixed. What a pain for such a small amount of lift I work in the woods and was rubbing on some of the roads, the lift fixed that problem but caused another :-(

Augster

I hate to break it to you but you are sorely misinformed. Adding a top spacer versus 5100 adjusted for lift does exactly the same thing to the suspension geometry, meaning the all the arms, ball joints and CV joints would be at the exact same pronounced angle at the same lifts, and you are still prone to the upper control arm hitting the spring the more lift you induce.

And no, a spacer will not lead to possible OEM shock ruputure any more than without it.

With the 5100 you are only getting a better performing shock, a great upgrade for those desiring more from their shocks.