2021 Gen 3 Eibach Front Leveling Springs

[hyrepower]

We have 2.25” up front and 1” in the rear from RPG, I like the ride but we will be doing the Eibach as soon as they hit our inventory to test!

I’m sure everyone on this forum is interested in a comparison analysis between springs and spacers.

 

[NEOGARAGE]

I’m sure everyone on this forum is interested in a comparison analysis between springs and spacers.

I wouldn’t really says it’s springs vs “spacers” because perch collars don’t work like an actual spacer at all, I mean in the rear it’s a spacer but the front it’s just preloading the spring. I did feel extra stiffness after the 2.25” up front, but that was pretty much removed after zeroing the shocks through forscan

 

[hyrepower]

I wouldn’t really says it’s springs vs “spacers” because perch collars don’t work like an actual spacer at all, I mean in the rear it’s a spacer but the front it’s just preloading the spring. I did feel extra stiffness after the 2.25” up front, but that was pretty much removed after zeroing the shocks through forscan

They don’t make a top plate spacer for these yet, maybe the icon 1/4” spacer from the Gen. 2 would fit. Spacers aren’t bad, so long as you don’t over extended the ball joints and axels.

 

[NEOGARAGE]

They don’t make a top plate spacer for these yet, maybe the icon 1/4” spacer from the Gen. 2 would fit. Spacers aren’t bad, so long as you don’t over extended the ball joints and axels.

Correct, but in theory any spacer is going to cause over extension, everything was designed within these tolerances, so even a 1/4" would cause the joints and lines to go past their usable limits, although I haven't seen them actually be that stretched even during a suspension install there is a ton of extra slack.

 

[hyrepower]

Correct, but in theory any spacer is going to cause over extension, everything was designed within these tolerances, so even a 1/4" would cause the joints and lines to go past their usable limits, although I haven't seen them actually be that stretched even during a suspension install there is a ton of extra slack.

That is point I was trying to make, Ive NEVER seen it happen. On Toyotas, it is very common to install a 1/4" spacer on the driver side to get rid of driver side lean. Not sure why after 25 years or so of making the Tacoma and 4 runner they haven't designed them to be level, but that is beside the point. NEVER has there been an issue with any joints or CVs due to over travel that I have ever seen or experienced.

Same with F150s using strut spacers all the time to achieve a "level" and clear bigger tires, seen it done for years, with big spacers that provide 2" - 2.5" of lift. I have never seen issues on those as well.
So using just a 1/4" top plate spacer I would be highly surprised if it mess with anything in an adverse way on these trucks. Might even be good for the 35" trucks running 37s as to help prevent over travel and give the smaller bumpstops on the 35" trucks time to prevent rub......just saying.

 

[NEOGARAGE]

That is point I was trying to make, Ive NEVER seen it happen. On Toyotas, it is very common to install a 1/4" spacer on the driver side to get rid of driver side lean. Not sure why after 25 years or so of making the Tacoma and 4 runner they haven't designed them to be level, but that is beside the point. NEVER has there been an issue with any joints or CVs due to over travel that I have ever seen or experienced.

Same with F150s using strut spacers all the time to achieve a "level" and clear bigger tires, seen it done for years, with big spacers that provide 2" - 2.5" of lift. I have never seen issues on those as well.
So using just a 1/4" top plate spacer I would be highly surprised if it mess with anything in an adverse way on these trucks. Might even be good for the 35" trucks running 37s as to help prevent over travel and give the smaller bumpstops on the 35" trucks time to prevent rub......just saying.

Oh man, the Toyota's, we've been so deep in the Toyota world since 2012. It bugs me a ton. The reason is the gas tank, Raptors have the same issue, then when you add driver weight theres 4-500# on the driver side and that causes the lean.

 

[hyrepower]

Oh man, the Toyota's, we've been so deep in the Toyota world since 2012. It bugs me a ton. The reason is the gas tank, Raptors have the same issue, then when you add driver weight theres 4-500# on the driver side and that causes the lean.

Weird why they don’t put gas tank on passenger side as well as battery to compensate

 

[Pacific Wheel]

Same with F150s using strut spacers all the time to achieve a "level" and clear bigger tires, seen it done for years, with big spacers that provide 2" - 2.5" of lift. I have never seen issues on those as well.
So using just a 1/4" top plate spacer I would be highly surprised if it mess with anything in an adverse way on these trucks. Might even be good for the 35" trucks running 37s as to help prevent over travel and give the smaller bumpstops on the 35" trucks time to prevent rub......just saying.

1/4" is safe IMO. Icon incorporates them in the their GEN2 collar kits as you mentioned. But I've seen F150's running strut spacers in the 2" range and if you jack the truck up from the frame and the wheel goes full droop the UCA is contacting the the coil. In most street driven trucks it's typically not an issue but those that use the travel run into problems.

As for the Raptor, I think they squeeze so much travel out of the platform that adding 2" in down travel can result in some major failures.

There was a lot of uncertainty when the G1 came out and people were eager to level the front so strut spacers were used in the beginning but a lot of forum members had issues and got away from them.

G1 Raptor W/ strut spacer
How it started

How it ended. Ball joint, CV and Tie rod all blown in a short amount of time.

 

[hyrepower]

2” is a ton!! I would totally agree with what you have said. I have not looked at how much clearance there is at full droop with the with everything being OEM, but I would think the factory wouldn’t make it so close as that a 1/4” spacer would make any contacting issues. A 1/4” spacer should net close to 1/2” of actual lift, so it is a significant lift if one needed a smidge more room.

I am going to do the 1.5” RPG collars as they can be installed without having to disassemble the OEM ball joints and can be done without a spring compressor. If my springs start to sag or they don’t provide enough lift to keep me level and clear my 37s, I’ll add the Icon spacer to gain a bit more clearance

 

[Keith88]

If you don't off-road the truck 2" top spacers are fine...just to get the level look. BUT... if the truck touches dirt you're gonna wanna run collars or springs for sure.