Coil spring lift spacer questions

Truck82 · Nov 30, 2024

Howdy!
First, I would like to explain my truck and its future purpose. I have a 1982 c20 that has springs from when it was a 6.2 diesel and now has a 350. This makes it leveled. I plan on doing some off road (gravel mountain roads, dirt trails, and a little snow driving with chains) and I will be on rough roads A LOT. I will also be pulling my brothers truck out when he gets stuck every now and then. I am going to do a lift with coil spring spacers up front and rear blocks. The blocks are easy to find and easy to install. The hard part is the coil spacers. I also don’t have much money but want to do it right.

1. Does anyone have a lifted 2wd?
2. For the coil spacers, what material is best? Aluminum, polyurethane, or rubber.
3. How much lift at the wheel will a 2 inch spacer give?
4. Brands? Links?

I know this is a lot but any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

(I know I should just get a 4wd and I’m working on it. Just want a little more space for bigger wheels and more clearance on my 2wd)

Ricko1966 · Dec 1, 2024

Speedway Motors has tons,I'd buy steel.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/stock-car-coil-spring-spacers~65934-2-2-11-16-306-11382?srsltid=AfmBOoo34zdJBo6EcWyrxmAtsdVNh1uxMLrCfZ5DWQ31Zu2YKa_r8dIH

Turbo4whl · Dec 1, 2024

The front suspension on a GM 2 wheel drive truck is unequal length "A" arms. When the suspension is at rest the wheel and tire are almost straight up and down, this puts the tread of the tire level on the road. When you hit a bump (suspension is not at rest now) the wheel and tire move up. Now the wheel and tire are leaning in at the top. Opposite happens when the wheel and tire drop in a hole (or lower spot) while driving, the top of the wheel and tire lean out.

To raise an "A" arm suspension you also need to change the upper or lower "A" arms, or both. If you don't do this you will not have the correct camber for the front suspension. You will quickly wear out front tires and the truck will look like an old twin I beam Ford.

Since you stated you do not have a lot of cash, my recommendation is leave the front suspension alone.

mlsceo · Dec 1, 2024

Mcbayperformance.com, I used their coil spring spacers to lift my truck and am happy with the result. Easy to install, several options as to desired amount of lift, and only around $60. I used the aluminum 3/4 turn spacers that fit under the spring. SKU:1700T_SERIES on the website. A 1" thick spacer will give you 2.5 to 3" of lift. Get your front end aligned after installation.

idahovette · Dec 1, 2024

I have had success with the "horse shoe" type aluminum under coil spacers. Typically the result is twice as much as the spacer thickness........inch spacer equals 2 inch lift. Then you will have to get the front end realigned........YMMV

Truck82 · Dec 1, 2024

mlsceo said:
Mcbayperformance.com, I used their coil spring spacers to lift my truck and am happy with the result. Easy to install and several options as to desired amount of lift. I used the aluminum 3/4 turn spacers that fit under the spring. A 1" thick spacer will give you 2.5 to 3" of lift.

Does the aluminum not crush under the weight? Obviously it must not be a problem but seems like it would flatten out a little. As for the lift, 2.5 - 3 inches is what I’m going for! Thanks!

mlsceo · Dec 1, 2024

No crushing that I've seen.

Truck82 · Dec 1, 2024

mlsceo said:
No crushing that I've seen.

Do you have pictures of your truck?

mlsceo · Dec 1, 2024

I used the spacers to raise it a bit after installing 2.5" drop spindles with 2" lowering springs. Aftermarket springs were weak, front was a bit too low. Spacers worked great.

You must be registered for see images attach

mlsceo · Dec 1, 2024

5/8" thick spacers raised it 1 1/4"

Grit dog · Dec 1, 2024

@Truck82 Gonna sound like your dad here, but if you’re budget constrained and also wanting a 4x4 eventually, you’re doing it all wrong. Unless your truck is a pos and nothing could ruin its value more, ditch the idea of a janky lift and big tires on a 2wd. You’re literally ruining any future value the truck will have which presumably you want to keep for funds for a 4x4.
You’re not gonna get any further up the trail with a little lift and big tires. And honestly, it’ll kinda look like a dogs breakfast if looks were part of the goal.
Best bet is do with whatcha got and save the $ for whatcha want.
You haven’t thought about shocks, there’s another $400 for decent shocks. You’ll likely mess up the front suspension geometry. Or best case pay $ for an alignment that will probably uncover other parts that are worn.
If you wanna wheel that rig, let er eat. Presume it has a posi/G80 or it’s basically useless even with good tires or chains.
Slap some el cheapo mud terrains all the way around. Sipe and/or stud them if you’re actually planning on off road snow in a 2wd. Throw 500lbs in the bed behind the rear axle and go see how stuck you can get.
Minimize what you spend on this truck because you’re not going to markedly improve traction by any more than what tire style and pressure you run.
JMO.
That said, it’s great experience to wrench on stuff and even better experience to learn what not to do, so all is not lost if you’re really set on lifting your truck. (Honestly at this point I’d more consider slapping a body lift on it if you have to have big tires. And use your ingenuity to relocate the bumpers so it doesn’t look so much like a body lift.)

Turbo4whl · Dec 1, 2024

@mlsceo Manuel, in your truck you lowered it. When you lower an "A" arm suspension it is easy to get the camber correct because you can add spacers to the upper "A" arms. When you raise an "A" arm suspension you're limited how much the upper "A's will move in at the top.

So if someone raises the truck a lot, to get the camber correct, more work. Maybe offset lower arm bushings, or as I suggested, different arms.

@Grit dog Thanks Dad! Well stated.

@Truck82 You want to make your 2 wheel drive tall with big tires, then do it. Some of us may call that a "prerunner". If you are going to do it, do it right.

idahovette · Dec 1, 2024

Respectfully disagree with @Turbo4whl . When you raise an "A" arm suspension, it's been my experience the upper arms shorten.....droop pulls them in at the top.........that gets you negative camber........so on a 2 wheel drive you have to add Shims to get the proper camber......if the studs are long enough.

Truck82 · Dec 1, 2024

Turbo4whl said:
@Truck82 You want to make your 2 wheel drive tall with big tires, then do it. Some of us may call that a "prerunner". If you are going to do it, do it right.

Do it right? Like drop spindles from an obs? I was going to go that route but money is tight. I’ve seen a lot of nice 2wd lifted with coil spacers and thought that was a good option

Truck82 · Dec 1, 2024

Grit dog said:
@Truck82 Gonna sound like your dad here, but if you’re budget constrained and also wanting a 4x4 eventually, you’re doing it all wrong. Unless your truck is a pos and nothing could ruin its value more, ditch the idea of a janky lift and big tires on a 2wd. You’re literally ruining any future value the truck will have which presumably you want to keep for funds for a 4x4.
You’re not gonna get any further up the trail with a little lift and big tires. And honestly, it’ll kinda look like a dogs breakfast if looks were part of the goal.
Best bet is do with whatcha got and save the $ for whatcha want.
You haven’t thought about shocks, there’s another $400 for decent shocks. You’ll likely mess up the front suspension geometry. Or best case pay $ for an alignment that will probably uncover other parts that are worn.
If you wanna wheel that rig, let er eat. Presume it has a posi/G80 or it’s basically useless even with good tires or chains.
Slap some el cheapo mud terrains all the way around. Sipe and/or stud them if you’re actually planning on off road snow in a 2wd. Throw 500lbs in the bed behind the rear axle and go see how stuck you can get.
Minimize what you spend on this truck because you’re not going to markedly improve traction by any more than what tire style and pressure you run.
JMO.
That said, it’s great experience to wrench on stuff and even better experience to learn what not to do, so all is not lost if you’re really set on lifting your truck. (Honestly at this point I’d more consider slapping a body lift on it if you have to have big tires. And use your ingenuity to relocate the bumpers so it doesn’t look so much like a body lift.)

Thanks for the information! I need someone to sound like my dad with stuff like this. There’s so much information out there where some say it’s “the right way” and others will disagree. I’m on the fence now with so much input and opinions.
Thanks again

Coil spring lift spacer questions

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