Topic: Ball Joint Spacers

[matthedingoduk]

I've  got an 87 pickup, clean but all stock and I'm looking for some lift. I'm going on a hunting trip and my truck is going to be loaded down so I'm throwing some springs in the rear to handle the weight a little better but would like to bring the front up so it doesn't look weird. The cheapest solution I've found is ball joint spacers...now I've done some looking around and know the pros and cons but my question is, can I just use the spacers or do I need to do other things to go with it? Will it mess anything up to use just them? I called 4 wheel parts and he suggested getting a whole kit instead because "the ball joint spacers will lead to other problems". My goal here is to try to level the front out and spend as little money as possible, both short and long term. Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

[87toyotaman]

I ran 1.5" ball joint spacers and sway away torsion bars on my 87 with my chevys in the rear and I loved it. Didn't want to waste my money on a useless drop lift kit since i knew i would be doing a SAS soon. I ran those for about a year or so and a trip into the rubicon. Afterwards my steering linkage was about to pull apart but the spacers were fine. Just make sure you get an alignment afterwards and youll be good. Hope this helps.

[jimbo74]

they are fine..... sdori makes them... i actually helped them make some for a 2wd..... you will need an alignment, and you might want to run a longer shock, or just some spacers on those also (i ran an extra bushing) and cranked the tbars a little bit

[matthedingoduk [OP]]

Sounds good, thanks guys. I'm planning on just getting new shocks since I'm pretty sure they're stock. Another thing I forgot to ask, what's the max spacer height I should go? My dad does metal fab so he'll make them for me and i want to make sure they're not so big that i'll mess something up, All I've seen are 1.5"

[toyotech]

i wouldnt do any more than 1.5. i just did this to my runner not to long ago.
list of things i did and would rec. i was able to get the 1st three from the same place online.
1.5 bj spacer
sway bar drop kit
diff drop kit
OME shocks
1.25 wheel spacers (mine was fine without but i wanted a wider stance)
im gonna upgrade my steering stablizer with an OME

may need wheel spacers, depending on what type of rims and tire size your running

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/DiffDrop.shtml
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/BallJointSpacer.shtml

for the rear, i did the Zuk mod. imo its better than any AAL since it wont sag. if it does, it will be a long time
may ways to do the Zuk mod. i did mine with 98 4runner rear coil springs

[matthedingoduk [OP]]

Wow, lots of great info! Thank you! What size are those coils?

[toyotech]

they are stock 16 inch coils from a 98 4runner. i dont know spring rate. i didnt measure diameter but heard 5" OD springs will fit over the top bump stop

if you got some extra money left over. when doing the BJ spacers, it would be a good time to replace the BJ while your there

[matthedingoduk [OP]]

We have an out if service 94 runner that has somewhat new bj so I can strip them off that and save more $$. Did you add longer shackles or run em stock? I have some 5" shackles I haven't done anything with yet...

[toyotech]

We have an out if service 94 runner that has somewhat new bj so I can strip them off that and save more $$. Did you add longer shackles or run em stock? I have some 5" shackles I haven't done anything with yet...

no long shackles. i just removed the rear shocks, one of the rear shackle mounts. used a spring compressor to compress the coil than i just installed the coil. bolt everything back up. the coil is not bolted down, it just sits on around the upper and lower bump stops. 

heres the link of some more pix of them installed, the complete pix only show the rear before the bj spacers up front
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/zuk-mod-no-cut-96-98-runner-coil-springs-232169/

[matthedingoduk [OP]]

Alright thanks, that goes in my Zuk folder! Did the spacers even it out pretty good or did you tweak the torsion bar too?

[toyotech]

with the 16inch coil in the rear. the 1.5 bj spacer made the front and rear fender pretty level looking. but the rear on paper is higher because the rear fender is cut somewhat like 2inchs lower. so the rear is no more than 2inchs higher than the front. looks good from the side and when i load up all my trail gear/camping gear it should level out. i didnt adjust the torsion bars at all after i did the bj spacer

[matthedingoduk [OP]]

Well the rear is all done as of today with a total of aprox 3" of lift, it looks kinda funny but that's just more incentive to do the front 

Ya I was calculating front lift, future rear bumper with tiregate, camper shell, and it's gonna be riding nice and even. Thanks for the Zuk help! 

[toyotech]

nice, what did you use for the rears?

[matthedingoduk [OP]]

96 4runner springs

[toyotech]

very nice. post up some pictures

[yotaneck13]

check all your steering components when you do your bj spacers.  I ran my 90 with tb's cranked to the max.  I went through idler arms like mad.  They didnt just go bad, they straight sheared the bolt.  Spacing or lifting the front puts added stress to these parts, causing premature wear and failuer ( i suck at spelling).  I find a spare or 2 to carry with you its an easy trail fix.  Just absolutly no steering when it breaks. 

[toyotech]

did your idlers shear the bolts driving around on the streets? what size tires where you running? did they break when you where wheeling it, turning the wheels at a compete stop? i want to know what combinations caused yours to break. i know the lift will add more stress to steering components as i have heard this many times but in all those cause i see pix of their trucks with 33 or larger size tires, probably trying to turn it on a big rock at a dead stop.