Do I Need a Spacer with Pacbrake Air Bags on My 2013 Toyota Tundra with Factory 2" Lift?  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hello Clint,

Great question, and it really does come down to whether the factory lift you’re referring to is in the front or the rear.

If the 2 inch factory lift is front only, which is very common on Tundras, then the rear suspension is still at stock height. In that case, the Pacbrake Alpha HD Pro Air Bag Suspension Kit w/ Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle - 5,000 lbs # PB48VV is a direct fit and no spacers are needed. That’s a clear yes.

If the rear of the truck is also lifted by 2 inches, the kit will still work, but spacers may be required to maintain proper airbag alignment and travel. Whether a spacer is needed and what size comes down to the rear ride height, not the name of the lift.

The best way to confirm is straightforward. Park on level ground with the truck loaded the way it’s normally driven and measure from the bottom of the frame rail to the top of the rear axle tube. A stock height rear Tundra typically measures around 6.5 to 7.5 inches. If the measurement falls in that range, no spacer is needed. A measurement closer to 9.5 inches indicates a 2 inch rear lift, and a 2 inch spacer # PB45ZV would be the correct match.

If you wanted to pair the airbags with an onboard air compressor, take a look at the Pacbrake HP325 Series Onboard Air Kit with Compressor and 1/2 Gallon Tank # PB95VV. I like this option because the 1/2 gallon tank also makes it handy for airing up tires. That said, if you’re hauling around that many tools, you may already have a compressor on hand.

I wish I could give you a more direct yes or no, but measuring really is the only way to be certain. If you end up with a different measurement, just let me know what you come up with and I’ll help you dial in the correct spacer.

What do you do for a living that has you hauling all those tools? My cousin runs his own septic business here in Missouri and tows a heavy skid loader all the time. I set him up with Pacbrake airbags a little over a year ago and they’ve been holding up great. I think they’d be a great setup for you as well.

expert reply by: Kate F

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How to Measure for Spacer
(click to enlarge)

Clint S.

2/9/2026

Thank you Kate for your answer. The photo you’ve included is not terribly clear as to where to measure to. I see the bottom of the frame at top and then not sure what’s going on at the bottom. Is the tape measuring to the actual top of the axle tube or the top of the spring or the top of the block under the leaf springs? When I measured from the bottom of the frame to the bottom of the factory jounce ( which is the top leaf of the spring, I got 5 1/2 inches. I will measure again in the morning from bottom of frame the actual top of axle tube and see what I get. I received 2” spacers in my order which if not necessary, I’ll return to etrailer. I work as a carpenter and carry a lot of power tools in the truck as to not be without any tool I might need on the job. Also, there is often lumber up top and I get back end sag with the stock suspension.

Kate F.

2/9/2026

@ClintS My apologies for that first image, when I took a closer look it was quite confusing. I found one on the Pacbrake website that is way better. Definitely sounds like you will not need that spacer, I will get a return label sent over to you.