Can I (and should I) use coil spring spacers?

[Thunder Mass]

I put a 4" Currie lift on my LJ, with OME shocks nearly a year ago. Since then, the coils have compressed, as expected.

But, I'm worried that the rear has compressed too much. If the front coils are 12" and rear 8" stock, then it should be at 16" and 12" now, right? Well, front looks to be 16", but the rear is about 11.5" on an empty tank, a little lower on a full tank.

In the front I added a full width steel bumper, and a winch. Rear, though, got more. Steel bumper and tire carrier combo, 35" tire, and a genright 32 gallon gas tank. The additional 13 gallons alone weighs nearly 70 pounds, not including the weight of the tank. And, I just added Rock Slide Engineering sliders, which are over 160 pounds total. Yeah, getting heavy. My rear looks saggy to me, and I'm wondering if it's appropriate to get some of it back. I'd rather not get 4.5" or 5" coils, since my Curries are so new, and I wonder how long it'll take for them to settle, especially since I'll be at Easter Jeep.

So, questions are:
-is a 0.5" or so rear coil spacer the right answer, or am I worrying about nothing?
-if spacers are the answer, metal or polymer? I'm leaning towards the Rokmen aluminum spacers.
-how stupid would it be to add a 1" rear spacer, and a 0.5" front?

Though I'm serious about the rear sag, I'm not gonna deny I wouldn't mind just a smidge more lift, because why not? Unless it's just not wise. Make it a 4.5" lift, affectively. Not sure if these pics will mean anything, but here they are. Again, 4" lift, 1.25" body lift, and 35s. I couldn't get a side view that showed the sag well.

Rear

Front

I know the tape isn't thouching; best I could do by myself. Kinda surprised the rear has a hair more room than the front.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Personally, I have only seen the alum spacers used in the front on the TJ/LJ.

I’m curious as to whether anyone has ran them on the rear and will chime in.

What are the rear spring’s spring rate? May need to find some springs that bump it up, as you have a lot of added weight back there.

Deaver Spring can build you some custom springs.

 

[JMT]

You’re probably close to level now with the sag in the rear.

It’s totally valid to add a spacer. That’s what they are for, and you can do it as you see fit. I run a 10mm spacer in the rear and 1 1/16” spacer in the front with my OME coils. Mine are polymer. No issues for 3 years

 

[Thunder Mass]

Personally, I have only seen the alum spacers used in the front on the TJ/LJ.

I’m curious as to whether anyone has ran them on the rear and will chime in.

What are the rear spring’s spring rate? May need to find some springs that bump it up, as you have a lot of added weight back there.

Deaver Spring can build you some custom springs.

Any reason they're only run in the front? If it matters, I did replace the rear spring perch while doing the tummy tuck.
I'm not sure on the spring rate, I'll see what I can find. They're Currie coils.

You’re probably close to level now with the sag in the rear.

It’s totally valid to add a spacer. That’s what they are for, and you can do it as you see fit. I run a 10mm spacer in the rear and 1 1/16” spacer in the front with my OME coils.

I thought the rear was supposed to be higher than the front, or am I mistaken?

Is that because your coils have compressed further than they were supposed to as well?

 

[Fouledplugs]

Any reason they're only run in the front?

More often than not, it’s to eliminate the factory Jeep TJ/LJ forward rake.

 

[JMT]

Any reason they're only run in the front? If it matters, I did replace the rear spring perch while doing the tummy tuck.
I'm not sure on the spring rate, I'll see what I can find. They're Currie coils.



I thought the rear was supposed to be higher than the front, or am I mistaken?

Is that because your coils have compressed further than they were supposed to as well?

TJ’s come with a factory rake if 1”. I wanted to level the rig out. It’s still not level, but my doors don’t fly open when I get in and out. And when I load up the rear it doesn’t sink too much lower than level.

 

[AndyG]

Cool, I have been playing with some...could some of you guys post what you run? The ones I bought just don't seem to add any height to mine , unless I put on the bottom ..that is listed as an option , but it seems the spring groove will collapse eventually.

 

[jjvw]

Aluminum spacers are fine in the rear. I ran a set for a couple years. Top or bottom won't matter for lift, except they fit better above.

 

[Thunder Mass]

More often than not, it’s to eliminate the factory Jeep TJ/LJ forward rake.

So, it's supposed to be there, but nobody wants it? Weird.

TJ’s come with a factory rake if 1”. I wanted to level the rig out. It’s still not level, but my doors don’t fly open when I get in and out. And when I load up the rear it doesn’t sink too much lower than level.

I removed my rear seat, and instead put in a lock box. I do have a pair of MaxTrax back there now, though. Between all of that and straps, that's my "daily" setup, just because I like having it all. Once I add the water jug and freezer, clothes and tent for trips to Easter Jeep and Overland Expo West, I'm sure it'll sink the rear even more. Granted, I won't be wheeling like that, only the water. And when overlanding.

 

[Thunder Mass]

Aluminum spacers are fine in the rear. I ran a set for a couple years. Top or bottom won't matter for lift, except they fit better above.

Cool, thanks.

 

[jjvw]

A bit of rake is a good thing, imo.

 

[Thunder Mass]

A bit of rake is a good thing, imo.

You could argue that I keep my Jeep a bit heavy with gear, but I figured a bit of a rake was a good thing too. Well, except when doing steep descents.

 

[Goatman]

Get the ACOS (spelling?) System that allows you to adjust the height like a coilover. Then it can be set to however you like on that day. Pretty easy install (on utube) and seems ideal for you. They make them for the f or r. I don't have 'em, someone should chime in.

 

[jjvw]

ACOS is an expensive spacer with a nicer than stock bump stop.

Adjusting them messes up the steering toe and the track bar the same as a spring lift.

A cheaper option is going to be the spacer of your choice with Currie bump stops.

 

[Goatman]

Jjvw- so overall did you like them? Adjusting them in the rear seems like it should work pretty well without disrupting the steering geometry. Are they as easy to install as they appear on Utube vids? Would you recommend them? F or R?

 

[jjvw]

Jjvw- so overall did you like them? Adjusting them in the rear seems like it should work pretty well without disrupting the steering geometry. Are they as easy to install as they appear on Utube vids? Would you recommend them? F or R?

Don't have them. I don't see the point. Adjusting them means unloading the springs, so it isn't something you do on a whim on the side of the road. Even on the rear, changing the ride height means changing the pinon. Changing the ride height also changes the shocks.

As I mentioned earlier, Currie bumps with the desired spacer thickness (if any) is the way to go. Pick a ride height, build and adjust around they, and stay with it.

 

[Thunder Mass]

Well, I ordered some rokmen spacers, only to find out a week later they're discontinued. I'm having a hard time finding 0.5" front and 1.0" rear spacers in polymer or aluminum; most are over an inch. Unless JK coils fit, and therefore spacers do too.

 

[bobthetj03]

https://squareup.com/store/rukse-llc/item/jeep-zj-tj-xj-polyurethane-coil-spring-spacers-pair
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MI41E6K/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Thunder Mass]

https://squareup.com/store/rukse-llc/item/jeep-zj-tj-xj-polyurethane-coil-spring-spacers-pair
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MI41E6K/?tag=wranglerorg-20

ARB said it was not meant to be used as a coil spacer, and meant to fix list from side to side. Dunno why it couldn't be used as a spacer, though. Can you stack them?

That 1" I hadn't found; thanks for posting it! Only question is, some places say that 1" in the front actually does 1.5" in the rear; any truth to this?

I wanna get this fixed for EJS, even though it's mostly canceled at this point in time...

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

ARB said it was not meant to be used as a coil spacer, and meant to fix list from side to side. Dunno why it couldn't be used as a spacer, though. Can you stack them?

That 1" I hadn't found; thanks for posting it! Only question is, some places say that 1" in the front actually does 1.5" in the rear; any truth to this?

I wanna get this fixed for EJS, even though it's mostly canceled at this point in time...

If it ends up being too high you can cut them down easily.