How spring spacers work
A spring spacer sits on top of or under a coil spring (or on top of a strut assembly) and moves the spring's seat. The spring itself does not change, so the truck sits higher by roughly the spacer's height, or a little more on the front of an independent suspension where leverage multiplies the change. Spacers are the cheapest way to level a nose-down truck or add a mild lift for slightly bigger tires.
What spacers do not do: they do not change spring rate, and they do not add load capacity. Bilstein also points out that a spacer makes the assembled strut longer, which uses up droop travel and can let the shock bottom out before the bump stop engages. That is why spacers work best for small changes, and why bigger lifts use longer shocks or a full kit.
Types of spacers we stock
Strut-top spacers (independent front suspension)
These bolt on top of a front coilover strut on IFS trucks such as the Colorado, Canyon and Ram 1500. Body Armor 4x4's 2.5 inch strut and coil spacers are an example. They are the usual way to level a half-ton truck.
Coil spring spacers (solid axle and rear coils)
These sit directly on the coil on a solid axle or a coil-sprung rear, as on the Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator and Ram 2500. Kits for both ends, like Belltech's 2.5 inch front and rear Gladiator kit, raise the whole vehicle evenly.
Spring distance kits (small adjustments)
Belltech's spring distance kits are thin spacers of 1/2 to 1 inch for GM, Ford and Dodge trucks and SUVs. Use them to fine-tune ride height or correct a small sag.
Air spring spacers (helper air bags)
The Air Lift and Firestone spacers on this page are a different part. They lift the mounting point of a rear helper air bag so the bag fits a lifted truck. They do not lift the truck on their own. If you are adding load support, start with our towing air bags and helper springs.
Fitment by vehicle
Every spacer is model specific. Here is what we stock by truck, with lift as listed in the product title.
| Vehicle | Spacer | Lift | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler JL (2018+) | Body Armor 4x4 50110-JL front and rear | 2.5 in | $230.00 |
| Jeep Gladiator JT (2019-20) | Belltech 34861 front | 2.5 in front | $192.00 |
| Jeep Gladiator JT (2019-20) | Belltech 34862 front and rear | 2.5 in front and rear | $239.00 |
| Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon (2015+) | Body Armor 4x4 50307-GM strut spacer | 2.5 in | $121.00 |
| Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon (2004-07) | Belltech spring distance kit, front | 1 in | $49.00 |
| Ram 1500 4WD (2013-18, not Rebel or air ride) | Body Armor 4x4 50307-DG strut spacer | 2.5 in | $121.00 |
| Ram 1500 2WD (2002-18) | Body Armor 4x4 50205-DG coil spacer | 2 in | $75.00 |
| Ram 2500 (2014-18) | BDS012259 rear coil spacer box kit | 2.5 in rear | $367.99 |
| Ford F-150 (2004-08) | Belltech 34856 spring distance kit, front | 1 in | $49.00 |
| GM 1500 trucks (1999-06) | Belltech spring distance kit, front | 1 in | $49.00 |
| GM SUVs (2007+) | Belltech spring distance kit, front | 1/2 in | $49.00 |
| Chevy S-10 / Blazer (1982-03) | Belltech coil spring spacer | 3/4 in | $59.00 |
Shopping for a specific truck? Browse Wrangler and Gladiator lift kits, Colorado and Canyon leveling kits, Ram 1500 lift and leveling kits and F-150 lift and leveling kits for other options.
How to choose
- Leveling a half-ton IFS truck: a front strut-top spacer of about 2 to 2.5 inches is the common choice.
- Jeep on stock springs: a front and rear coil spacer kit keeps the stance even. Belltech's Wrangler kits list 2.5 inches front and 2 inches rear with a 35 inch max tire size.
- Small sag or tweak: a 1/2 to 1 inch spring distance kit.
- More than about 2.5 inches: look at a full kit with longer shocks instead. Our leveling kit vs lift kit guide covers where spacers stop making sense.
What else you'll need
Plan an alignment after any lift or level. Raising a front end can also call for longer sway bar end links or, on bigger lifts, brake line and bump stop changes. Front strut spacers mean taking the strut apart on some trucks, so you may need a spring compressor. Belltech's own Wrangler listings say extended length shocks are recommended and estimate 4 to 5 hours plus alignment for that kit.
Costs
Spring spacers on our store run $49 to $367.99. Thin spring distance kits are $49 to $59, strut-top leveling spacers are $75 to $121, full front and rear Jeep kits are $192 to $239, and heavy-duty rear spacer box kits for 3/4-ton trucks cost more.
Popular picks
- Body Armor 4x4 Colorado/Canyon 2.5in Strut Spacer 50307-GM, $121.00
- Body Armor 4x4 Ram 1500 4WD 2.5in Strut Spacer 50307-DG, $121.00
- Body Armor 4x4 Wrangler JL 2.5in Coil Spacer Lift Kit 50110-JL, $230.00
- Belltech Gladiator JT 2.5in Front and Rear Spacer Kit 34862, $239.00
- Belltech F-150 1in Spring Distance Kit 34856, $49.00