Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 6:59 pm
I have the 2" lift kit with Ranchos and I know the noise that you're referring to. Your suspension is not bottoming out, it's topping out. Adding spacers for more lift will only make it worse. The 2" lift kit is basically stiffer springs.
In the rear the stock shock is replaced with a longer shock so, there's no problem. In the front the strut is stock length with stock travel but with a stiffer spring. The result is that regularly when you drive over a bump the shock will slam to the fully extended position. Whether the KYB or Bilstein struts perform better remains to be seen. Some of your noise may be coming from worn ball joints and control arm bushings.
In the rear the stock shock is replaced with a longer shock so, there's no problem. In the front the strut is stock length with stock travel but with a stiffer spring. The result is that regularly when you drive over a bump the shock will slam to the fully extended position. Whether the KYB or Bilstein struts perform better remains to be seen. Some of your noise may be coming from worn ball joints and control arm bushings.