Ok I did a search and I found a lot of threads with the words Spacer and lift....

I was assuming they were the same thing...Can anybody give me a definition of what these two things are and how they differ and Why I would need either?

I realize that a lift lifts the vehicle up for more ground clearence....

and yes...all the noob flames are welcome.

 

A "spacer lift" is just a type of "lift". You can lift a vehicle several different ways. The simplest and cheapest is a 'spacer lift' which will put a spacer on your springs to give you a higher ride height. Other types of lifts will include shocks and springs at a minimum, and as they get better (and more expensive) will also include control arms, trackbars, etc....

Check out the FAQ section, there is a LOT of good noob reading there. Welcome to the forum!