Coil Spacers & Strut Spacers
Coil Spacers vs Strut Spacers - What's the Difference?
Both do a similar job but fit differently depending on your vehicle's suspension setup.
Coil Spring Spacers
Coil spring spacers sit on top of or below the existing coil spring to increase ride height. Common on vehicles with separate coil springs and shock absorbers - like solid axle rear setups on HiLux, Ranger, and Patrol - and a cost-effective way to add 20-40mm of lift front or rear.
Strut Spacers
Strut spacers fit on top of the strut tower on MacPherson strut-style front suspensions, common on most modern dual-cab utes and SUVs. They push the entire strut assembly down to add ride height without altering spring rate or damping. A popular choice for levelling the front of a ute after fitting a bull bar or winch.
What Are Spacers Used For?
The most common applications in Australian 4WD setups are levelling a nose-down stance after fitting a bull bar or winch, adding clearance for larger tyres without a full lift kit, correcting rear sag on touring rigs carrying heavy loads, and staged lifting - using spacers first before committing to a full suspension upgrade.
Brands
4Wheelhouse stocks coil spacers and strut spacers from RoadSafe, EFS, 4x4Force, Ironman 4x4, Tough Dog, and SuperPro - available in polyurethane and billet aluminium to suit everything from mild levelling corrections to genuine lift requirements. Use the vehicle filter to find spacers confirmed for your exact make, model, and year.
Fitting
Most spacers in the range are designed for DIY installation with basic mechanical knowledge and hand tools. A wheel alignment after fitting is recommended on any vehicle after a ride height change - factor that into your budget before you start. If you'd rather have it done right from the start, our fitment centres in Sydney (Smithfield) and Queensland (Sumner Park, Brisbane) handle spacer installations and post-fit alignments. Victorian customers can pick up or have orders dispatched from our Dandenong warehouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strut spacers fit on top of the strut tower on MacPherson strut-style front suspensions. They push the strut assembly downward, adding ride height without altering spring rate or damping. Used to level a nose-down stance, create clearance for larger tyres, or add modest lift without replacing existing struts or springs.
Yes, strut spacers are legal in Australia when the total suspension lift stays within your state's permitted limits - generally up to 50mm without an engineer's certificate in most states. Always verify current state modification standards before fitting as rules vary by state and are subject to change.
Yes. In New South Wales, suspension lifts up to 50mm are permitted under the Low Risk Vehicle Modification scheme without requiring an engineer's certificate, provided the modification meets ADR requirements and doesn't adversely affect steering geometry.
Yes. Queensland permits suspension lifts of up to 50mm under the Low Risk Vehicle Modification standards without certification. For lifts between 50mm and 150mm an approved engineer's certificate is required. Check the current Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads modification standards for the latest requirements.
Yes, quality coil spacers from reputable brands are safe when correctly selected and installed. Cheap or poorly engineered spacers can crack, compress unevenly, or cause handling issues - which is why brand matters. RoadSafe, EFS, and Ironman 4x4 spacers in the 4Wheelhouse range are engineered to vehicle-specific tolerances. A wheel alignment after fitting is strongly recommended.
Coil spacers add ride height without changing spring rate or damping. A full lift kit replaces springs and shocks with components tuned for the new ride height and load requirements. Spacers are a cost-effective entry point for modest lifts up to 40-50mm. For anything more, or for heavily loaded touring rigs, a full lift kit delivers better performance and long-term durability.
Yes. Any change in ride height affects suspension geometry and requires a wheel alignment afterwards. Skipping the alignment leads to uneven tyre wear and changed handling characteristics. Factor the cost of an alignment into your budget - it's not optional.