Leveling Kit vs Spacer Lift vs Full Suspension Upgrade — What Actually Makes Sense on the LC250

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

Just ordered the OME MT64 lift and Toyo AT3 285/70 18s (E Load) for the stock wheels. I’ll be installing in the next week or two.

I considered the Westcott, but I don’t want to lose any down travel as I plan to further explore the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (already completed three sections of the WABDR stock height on 265 Toyos). The truck is pretty capable stock, but I did hit the skids a couple of times due to the mediocre ground clearance.

I think the MT64 will balance out the E load 285s, and then I’ll probably add the 12Gal FK saddle tank to offset MPG loss. I don’t mind dropping MPGs as long as long as I can maintain decent MTE range.

Oh, and I’m not planning on getting rid of this truck for many years - so hoping the lift is worth the investment.

Excellent choices all around. Looking forward to seeing pics when it's done!

 

[D-mac]

I noticed the list of coilover suspension kits available in the USA is getting a little longer...

ARB/Old Man Emu
Rough Country
Peak
ICON
KING
Arizona Desert Shocks
Eibach
Radflo
Dobinsons
IRONMAN 4x4
FOX
KYB
ReadyLIFT
TEIN

There are probably others! Even though they're a heavyweight, Bilstein is going to have some competition in the market...

 

[DubDub]

I noticed the list of coilover suspension kits available in the USA is getting a little longer...

ARB/Old Man Emu
Rough Country
Peak
ICON
KING
Arizona Desert Shocks
Eibach
Radflo
Dobinsons
IRONMAN 4x4
FOX
KYB
ReadyLIFT
TEIN

There are probably others! Even though they're a heavyweight, Bilstein is going to have some competition in the market...

I've been a diehard OME or Bilstein guy for nearly 2 decades now. Even I am about to flip to Fox absent an offering from Bilstein. They were always good on my factory Pros.

 

[@Luke_Schnacke]

Being a player in the global suspension market, I obviously went with a full suspension kit, and from the options we make I wanted to try the IM2.5 (2.5" Montube) with coils paired for the weight of the accessories, diff drop, and forged aluminum control arms, it gives 2.5" of lift, paired with a 35" wheel/tire package.

I came out of a F150 on a spacer lift and prior to that Land Cruiser 200 series on Foam Cell Pro. (So I've covered the gamut of options in different vehicles).

 

[cruiser_ss396]

A true top spacer, like the Peak 1.25" Leveling Kit would be perfect for your needs. Since it doesn't preload the spring, you don't gain additional spring rate and you'll still sit right in the same stroke as OEM so your up and down travel remains untouched. It simply raises your front height and clearance ~1.25".

Regarding mileage: you're absolutely right--having the front slightly higher likely will increase drag slightly, but these aren't aerodynamic to begin with so it won't be drastic!

What about alignment ? When the spacer is installed are you able to maintain a stock alignment or does it need some sort of alignment specs that are now different from original specs? Will a spacer also be required for the bump stop to bring it back to the same distance it is now from the control arm contact point?

 

[Mtn40]

What about alignment ? When the spacer is installed are you able to maintain a stock alignment or does it need some sort of alignment specs that are now different from original specs? Will a spacer also be required for the bump stop to bring it back to the same distance it is now from the control arm contact point?

With a spacer that's not excessive, stock alignment can still be achieved. Some suspension companies have different alignment specs in their instructions, but they seems to be there to make it look ok if you can't get to stock caster settings anymore (for bigger lifts).
With a 1.25" lift it should be no problem to get to factory alignments specs.

A spacer for the bump stop is a good idea also. The motion ratio at the bump stop is different than at the shock, so for 1.25" lift, it's not going to be a very big spacer. If the kit doesn't come with the spacer, you can compress one front corner fully and then measure the gap between LCA and bumpstop to see what you need.

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

What about alignment ? When the spacer is installed are you able to maintain a stock alignment or does it need some sort of alignment specs that are now different from original specs? Will a spacer also be required for the bump stop to bring it back to the same distance it is now from the control arm contact point?

Yup! You'll need an alignment afterwards, but you don't need any other mods to be in spec. You can generally go 2-2.5" above stock before needing UCAs.

Re: the bump stop spacer--you could space it a tiny but to equal the same space as you had stock. It would be like a washer's distance. Or you can appreciate a small increase in bump travel which is not a bad thing. On these truck suspensions, the bump stops are not such an integral part of the tuning like they are on, say, BMWs, so adding a small amount of bump travel will not make it feel loose like it would on a car where they're very progressive and built into the spring rate curve.

 

[cruiser_ss396]

Here to report on installing the Peak 1.25 spacer on my 1958. It has 285-70-17 KO3 tires and it’s been being driven for the last 21,000 miles with no lift. Absolutely no rubbing while Off road. I’ll state that I am not a serious off roader but in Arizona you get the chance to really articulate the suspension on some trails/roads, lots of large rutted areas and rocky areas.

The install was super simple at the most 1.5 hours start to finish. I forgot to measure my original ground to fender lip but if memory serves me it was 36.25 with my 285-70-17 KO3s and everything else stock.

Installed the peak spacer now has me at just slightly over 37.5 from the ground to the fender lip. Honestly it is almost hardly noticeable from a side view. Although I can tell the difference and so can the wife. In the pictures you would be hard pressed to really see a difference. The place where it’s more noticeable is stepping into it and behind the wheel……it definitely has higher stance in the front and looking out over the hood. You tell it has less rake.

Went off roading and some of my typical spots over large ruts and rocky areas, it’s no difference and it actually felt a little better and not as bouncy over rough washboard roads.
I have 1 inch spring spacer to go in the rear springs and will not be using it. The Peak Spacer definitely filled desire for a little less
Rake and keeping our factory ride and functionality with some added looks that honestly only an owner might see.

Posted pictures but good luck really noticing a difference l. Last two pic are no spacer

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

Here to report on installing the Peak 1.25 spacer on my 1958. It has 285-70-17 KO3 tires and it’s been being driven for the last 21,000 miles with no lift. Absolutely no rubbing while Off road. I’ll state that I am not a serious off roader but in Arizona you get the chance to really articulate the suspension on some trails/roads, lots of large rutted areas and rocky areas.

The install was super simple at the most 1.5 hours start to finish. I forgot to measure my original ground to fender lip but if memory serves me it was 36.25 with my 285-70-17 KO3s and everything else stock.

Installed the peak spacer now has me at just slightly over 37.5 from the ground to the fender lip. Honestly it is almost hardly noticeable from a side view. Although I can tell the difference and so can the wife. In the pictures you would be hard pressed to really see a difference. The place where it’s more noticeable is stepping into it and behind the wheel……it definitely has higher stance in the front and looking out over the hood. You tell it has less rake.

Went off roading and some of my typical spots over large ruts and rocky areas, it’s no difference and it actually felt a little better and not as bouncy over rough washboard roads.
I have 1 inch spring spacer to go in the rear springs and will not be using it. The Peak Spacer definitely filled desire for a little less
Rake and keeping our factory ride and functionality with some added looks that honestly only an owner might see.

Posted pictures but good luck really noticing a difference l. Last two pic are no spacer


View attachment 72936View attachment 72937View attachment 72939View attachment 72938

That looks phenomenal. Perfect modern Land Cruiser stance!