Texas2012FX4

Howdy

Just picked up a 2012 FX4 and I want to level the truck. I know about the bilsteins 5100s and I will get those eventually but for the moment I will install 2.5 spacers on top of the strut assemble.

1) So how many miles/years are yall getting out of the OEM ball joints after you install the spacers?

2) What is better for the OEM suspension: steel, aluminum or polyurethane spacers?


Thanks.

Texas2012FX4

Anyone?

Augster

There is just not enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that "normal" (i.e. not the 04-08 3" spacers mis-installed into an 09+) leveling spacers have definitively led to significant premature suspension component wear.

Nor has it been proven that any one of the different materials used for spacers is overwhelming better than the others, other than what can be inferred from their material and manufacturing characteristics: Aluminum can oxidize over time, however, due to the fact that its just a thick machined ring it will take a very long time (think many, many decades) before it would be a point of concern (if ever); Steel can rust so maintaining its protective paint coating is critical, but another concern is that the welds used to assemble a steel spacer have the potential to fail due to manufacturing defects; Polyurethane can harden and become brittle, and since that issue can happen much sooner rather than later, depending upon environmental and operating conditions, it may be the least durable material. Regardless, under most conditions, the truck will either have long been sold or have fallen apart before these spacers deteriorate to the point of being unsafe and needing replacement/restoration.

Texas2012FX4

Thanks for reply!

I will probably go with steel.

Next question is 2.5" or 3"? What will put my FX4 dead nuts level?

Augster

I have never seen a 3" spacer from a reputable manufacturer; those tall spacers were made specifically for the 04-08 or sold on eBay and mis-represented to fit 09+. The suspension is slightly different for the 09+ and with such a tall spacer you will have a higher incidence of hitting the Upper Control Arm onto the spring, and will have extremely limited suspension travel to handle rough terrain/bumps.

I hear mixed results with 2.5"; many say they don't have problems, but a few do. It depends on your driving style and whether you do a lot, a little or no off-road driving (and how "rough" is your off road driving). They will definitely be more difficult to install than a 2" spacer as you must do more suspension disassembly or utilize portable spring compressors (i.e. not bench mounted) to get the lower eyelet of the strut into the Lower Control Arm strut mount pocket.

aj.rookie

gig'em aggies..whoopp!!

smgfx4

I am told that the metal spacers will squeak after a while and the polyurathane will not. I had a level on my last truck for over 100,000 miles and never had any ball joint problems

Texas2012FX4

You had the polyurethane spacers on for 100,000 miles? No cracking or errosion on spacers?