I'm new to this site and to Toyota 4x4's. But not to 4 wheeling. Owned 3 Jeep CJ5's in the past. I do under stand the "Jeep thing" thats why I bought 2 Toyotas. #1 is a 1994 pickup 4x4, 5spd, 22RE with 74,000. #2 is a 2001 4runner, SR5, 3.4, auto, 32" Bridgestones that I just put on. I'm starting to build the pickup for trail running here in CO. mostly Forest service roads and old mining roads, nothing to "hard core", got that out of my system 20 years ago with my 1st Jeep. was reading the posts to get info for a mild lift when I came across posting re: balljoint spacers. Has any one found them? Where? Any body tried them yet? how did they work?

I have made any yet, but am making a set for my 2wd. I think elbow grease just got a set for his 2wd(it thinks it's a 4wd)the hopes look promising as it reduces the angle of the a-arm giving a better ride......Karl

This is a popular mod overseas on the Toyota IFS trucks that never caught on here for some reason. I think because here in the states, good IFS modifications aren't as popular as the solid axle conversions and mods. Otherwise the truely awesome IFS long A-arm kits like from Total Chaos would be much more common.

Putting in ball joint spacers basicly lowers the spindle from the upper A-arm about 1.5", thus giving you that much lift. This basic premis is used on the Rancho upper A-arms and long A-arm kits like Total Chaos, where they build this extra lift into the A-arm itself.

What this does is give you the lift, without having to the crank in the torsion bars and reduce your down travel. You don't get the extra travel that longer A-arms would give, but you don't lose travel while gaining a bit of lift. You also gain some clearance at the front crossmember like you would by cranking the torsion bars which is a big advantage.

Actually there might be slight gain in possible uptravel as I think the distance between the lower A-arm and lower bumpstop is increased.

I know Rockstomper makes one for lifted trucks with a 4" Trailmaster or Procomp lift, allows for more travel w/ifs, you can see it here http://www.rockstomper.com/catalog/suspen/ifskit.htm
I am not sure if it can be modified for a stock rig or not. It wont lift the truck much, however, if all you are wanting to run are 32's, they will fit with a little trimming of the rear fender body seam. I ran the 32's on my '90 x-cab on 15x8 w/3.75 back spacing, and after cutting the seam a little they didn't rub.

this is the e-mail i got from a guy in Japan when i inquired about the ball joint spacers they had on their website:

> Dear Sir,
>
> Thank you for your mail.
> We can ofcourse provide you front up specer kit (ball joint spacers)
> with bolts and nuts for TOYOTA IFS 4WD truck .
> When you put spacer under an upper arm, you have to shave
> some part of upper arm. But I think it's not so difficult.
> And you don't have to buy whole kit.
>
> The price of specer kit is $120 , and cost to your hometown?
> Zip code 85282 is about $20by ship.
$B!!(BAnd we don't have a picture of how to grind off the arm.
$B!!!!(BI'm sorry.
>
> Thanks,$B!!#b#y!!#y#a#s#u#n#o#r#i(B
>

when i emailed him back to get some, i never got any response, and i moved on to thinking about other things.

here is his e-mail address (you could get it on his website, but i don't know what it is at this point)
dandan@beach.ocn.ne.jp

if you get a set, let us know how it goes.

I just got my ball joint spacers in for the lower a-arms on my 2wd.
Don't have any numbers on improvements (lift), but I think it helped a bit.
The 2wd setup is different than the 4wd because the torsion bars are adjusting the lower arms on the 2wd, and the uppers (right?) on the 4wd.
My Fabtech kit came with an upper spacer that supposedly lifts the front an additional 1/2" (It is a 1" spacer).
Unfortunatly, I was limited (for now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />) to a 1/2" spacer for the bottom, and with a very rough measurement, I think it helped a bit.
I did loosen the torsion bars a little too though, so that also lowered it back down again (and softened the ride a bit too).
Just watch the ball joint and spindle plate clearances and you should be fine.
Take a ball joint off (or get a replacement) and use it as a template and cut out a spacer. Just leave enough room for the up/down motion so things don't rub.
Good luck!
Todd