Spacers with standard springs?

Hey there,

I have recently bought (yet to be delivered) a 2025 XL manual.
Being new at this, I have a question regarding the use of spring spacers.
To gain a little extra height only (don't want too much) without replacing the standard springs, is there anything wrong with simply fitting a set of spacers under the oem springs?

Thoughts?

Let me put it this way, I wouldn't, for a couple of different reasons.

First - stock height JimnyXLs will reportedly rub the front drive shaft on the crossmember on full droop, so far I have seen no evidence of this on my car, but, it's something to be aware of.

Spacers change the "rest position" of the suspension, moving the axle further from the frame, bringing the driveshaft closer to the crossmember, making the scenario above, more likely to happen, most lift kits move the crossmember down, reducing or eliminating the possibility.

When the front axle moves away from the frame, because of the suspension design, it rotates the axle top-to-front reducing the caster angle which can cause steering instability, most lift kits include caster correction bushes designed to reduce or eliminate this problem.

When the rear axle moves away from the frame, it puts the panhard bar on an angle which pulls the axle sideways so it's no longer centered under the vehicle, this needs to be corrected and there are two schools of thought on how to deal with this, one way is a longer adjustable panhard bar, which will allow you to center the axle, but because it's does nothing for the angle, does not fix the other issue - as the suspension cycles up & down, the axle moves left~right under the frame, a sort of the tail wagging the dog situation. The second fix, which I prefer is to relocate one end of the panhard bar to return it to the original height.

Last, the OEM rear shocks on the XL are not the greatest, you can get the rear axle onto the bumpstops with even light loads - this is a shock issue, not a spring issue.
If you're going to lift the vehicle do it properly, do it safely, I've had my five door just over a year, it's still on the stock suspension, but a lift is on the cards, and it's going to be Old Man Emu as I have good results with them on other vehicles.

OME will give you roughly a 40mm lift, so not a whole lot, it's a well engineered package, crossmember, caster correction, panhard bar relocation, bump stop extensions, and perhaps more importantly, it includes shocks valved to match the springs.

Yes, a proper lift will cost you more, but you do get more and in this case, a lot more.

Hey there,
That's a great reply, thanks for that.
I'll follow that advice, especially as you've said the suspension issues are primarily "shock", not "spring" (I have read that a lot.
As I really have no need of a lift, I will most likely upgrade the shocks (maintaining standard height) only if I need that.
I noticed most recommend Bilstein or Koni in that order - you prefer the OME for any particular reason?

Spacers normally go over the spring not under - If you're just going 15 - 20mm for looks, you'll be just fine with spacers.

Just lifting the springs slightly and leaving the same length shocks will make no difference to the total droop - that's set by the extension limit of the shocks. Putting spacers in will make no difference to the driveshaft (allegedly) hitting the cross member any more than it would stock as the droop is limited by the shocks, not the springs. 

If you plan to go off-road and want more ground clearance / bigger tires, then yeah, a proper lift kit is best. 
You probably won't need to worry about castor correction or panhard rods for just a 40mm lift unless you are super worried about on road handling. (I'm not - I have 3 inch lift, no sway bar and stock pan hards. Did need castor correction though. Drives just fine for me 😁)

Little Brick wrote:

Hey there,

I have recently bought (yet to be delivered) a 2025 XL manual.
Being new at this, I have a question regarding the use of spring spacers.
To gain a little extra height only (don't want too much) without replacing the standard springs, is there anything wrong with simply fitting a set of spacers under the oem springs?

Thoughts?

It really depends on what you are wanting to do with the vehicle. I don't really agree with all the points mentioned in an earlier post. And many of the points are simply generic points to lifting by any means.

Spacers are normally cheap, relatively easy to install and re changing the spring pre-load, will retain the stock feel of the suspension.

One issue specific to the Jimny, is that the stock suspension isn't really all that good, it is ok, but nothing more. So you have to think long and hard if you really want to retain a compromised and mediocre setup anyway or if you are willing to spend out on better suspension.

Specific issues with spacers. There is more chance of becoming coil bound under suspension compression before hitting the bump stop.

Spacers on their own will give a ride height increase, which can be a benefit off road. But you will essentially loose suspension droop. i.e. when you lift up the vehicle, it will extend the shock. Meaning there is less shock available when the wheel needs to drop further. Ultimately this means vehicles lifted in this manner tend to lift wheels more easily off road and become cross axled more easily than a stock standard vehicle. This isn't unique to spacers, a longer spring and stock shocks would cause the same issue.

Do you plan to off road and are you looking to improve the suspension travel and flex? i.e. improve its off road capability? If yes, then there are likely better suspension solutions out there.

If you plan to stick to mostly highway use and want a lift for cosmetic reasons, then a spacer lift actually isn't a bad route.

If you want to improve ride and damping for on or off road use, then a spacer may work, but you should be looking at other suspension modifications too.

I really wouldn't worry too much about the panhard rod, not until you get over a 2" lift. Likewise, a small lift won't seriously impact castor and for anything under 2" of lift you may be fine without doing anything. Or just simply buy some castor correction bushes if worried.