Spindle Lifts VS Strut Spacers: Front Lift Kits

What's the Difference compares similar vehicle components and installation processes with experienced competition chassis and drivetrain installer, Erick Tucker & street performance chassis and drivetrain innovator, Tom Campion. In this episode, we take a look at basic front truck lifts including the economical leveling kits (strut spacers) and the more expensive, yet also more retentive of the stock ride, spindle lifts. They cover the pros and cons of each install process touching on important tips every home installer and general enthusiast should know before deciding on their lift style.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:21 Basic Front Lift Options
0:37 Mostro Spindle Lift
1:00 Differences between Spacers & Spindles
2:13 Strut Spacer Installation
7:09 Spindle Lift Installation
9:25 RWP Links

[@rearwheelperformance]

Visit nationaldrivetrain.com & enter YT30OFF at checkout for a limited time 30% off a wide assortment of drivetrain & suspension components!

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! SPINDLES ARE THE WAY TO GO. TO DROP OR LIFT ANY VEHICLE. GREAT VIDEO AND EDUCATION. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! I LEARNED SO MUCH!!!

[@rearwheelperformance]

We're glad we could help!

[@odyssey5816]

Awesome video, definitely helped me decide, I’m going with spindles. 😁

[@rearwheelperformance]

Glad we could help!

[@judyreyjumamoy]

this channel is underrated

[@rearwheelperformance]

Cool, thanks man!

[@jesuscortes3651]

Gracias por demostrar los dos procedimientos

[@rearwheelperformance]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@jesterfubar]

Great stuff!!!! If I do a 3 inch spindle lift on my 2016 ram 1500 express rwd, will I need to extend the brake lines?

[@travisgentry738]

3 inches probably not. Anything over i would. I’m by any means no expert though.

[@jesterfubar]

I had them done. And I did go with longer. Stock lines were a lil too tight for comfort. But you were correct. Gracias for the response.

[@rearwheelperformance]

Yes, there isn't enough slack in the stock length for full droop while turning all the way left/right.

[@jesterfubar]

Thank you for the response. I had spacers for 2 months and took then out cuz I wasn't willing to sacrifice that much ride quality for the look I wanted. Spindle lifts are the way to go. Soooooo much better!! I give all the credit to this video.

[@christianb3802]

I heard a coilover front spacer compresses the stock spring a little bit where a spindle would not and be better? If coilover spacers do compress the spring at all, how much so for like a 3” lift? Considering getting the spindles.

[@rearwheelperformance]

There is the feeling that spring spacers will ride stiffer, but that is mostly felt over rough roads, trails and railroad track crossings. This has more to do with the reduced dropout travel from the static ride height. Spindles allow the full range of dropout and compression travel, as designed from the factory, and should be very close to the stock ride and handling.

[@bradh6185]

I want to do a 2" or 2 1/2" spindle lift on my 10th gen F150 XL 2wd. Maybe 31" tires(Factory is 29") and keep the stock 16" wheels. But I don't want my wheels to be pushed out 2 inches. I could probably live with 1". Are there any options? Also, is there anything wrong with lifting the rear the same amount as the front to keep the factory rake?

[@rearwheelperformance]

We've seen a few brands of 3" spindles for that generation. If you need less that 3" you could add a drop coil to offset the overall spindle lift. It would require another complete video to show why, but there are several physical and theoretical reasons behind the engineering requiring the wheels being offset outward a bit with lift spindles, and with that we cannot think of any brand making stock offset spindles. Lifting the rear to match the front amount is fine and can be adjusted to your personal preference for form and function.

[@mariouresti9964]

good day I have a 2013 ram 1500 2wd it currently has a 2.5 inch spacer it looks good but it feels bad and sounds metal metal on metal I would like to know if I buy two inch springs from rough country or the spindles that you say I no longer want to struggle and drive comfortably do you recommend me?

[@rearwheelperformance]

Very likely the suspension dropout travel has been reduced and is stopping at the upper control arm/ball joint area (and check that the ball joints are not loose with the suspension unloaded. In our opinion, lift spindles are almost always a better choice for ride and being quiet if it is in the budget.

[@arnoldbaclig7709]

I got 2007 f150 2wd i put a 2"space when i put it together the upper control arm and spring their too close it other. Looks like not safe too drive thats why i take them out.. maybe the best option like you guys did to change spindle much safer to drive....

[@rearwheelperformance]

The benefits of spindles often outweigh the added cost. But, that said, we've seen a lot of spacer lifts that allow the upper part of the spindle contact the spring during full droop, but because it doesn't touch/rub during any normal driving, it is usually not a concern.

[@joe7528]

I'm considering doing a maxtrac 4.5" / 3" lift kit with front spindles would i need to replace the front coil springs or would factory work

[@rearwheelperformance]

Most late model trucks have pretty good front spring rates, so unless you feel they have settled too much or unevenly, you shouldn't have to replace them. Have fun!

[@joe7528]

@rearwheelperformance okay, thank you! 2014 Ram 1500 rwd is what i have .

[@franciscogutierrez2017]

Does this add 2 inches to eliminate rake plus 4 on top of that? Or just 2 inches to eliminate rake plus 2 inches lift?

[@rearwheelperformance]

No, and then yes.

[@yarsanch7078]

I have a new body Ram 1500 4x4, between these two options the only one that works for me is struts spacers?

[@rearwheelperformance]

4 wheel drive applications are a more involved design when considering their axle shaft connections and movement. Spacers are a good moderate lift option, and much more than 2-3" a full lift kits with control arm and differential relocation brackets would be required.

[@tiki9199]

i have a 2wd 2019 ranger and want to get a spindle lift but the only thing i can find is a lift kit for a 4wd with spindles in it. would a 4wd spindle fit on my 2wd

[@rearwheelperformance]

Due to the design of the 4wd front end components, it is not possible to design a 4wd lift spindle. There are likely full suspension kits that have extended length spindles that work with the kits lower are drop brackets. Not much is easy or cheap on the 4wd chassis lift if more than just leveling is required.

[@512juancho]

So i have spacer lift kit on my truck and i see the upper control arm is outta wack can i get a spindle and install it and that would fix the upper control arm being so outta wack right?

[@rearwheelperformance]

If the spacer is causing the issues, then yes, removing the lift spacers, repairing or replacing the control arms and installing a spindle lift should help.

[@512juancho]

@@rearwheelperformance but i can leave the strut spacer in and use one of yalls spindle and itll correct the angle on the ball joint in the uca?!

[@rearwheelperformance]

@@512juancho Sorry no, the suspension travel and geometry are the same at the connection to the control arms. Problems using a strut spacer lift with stock spindles will be the same or a bit worse on lifted spindles.

[@512juancho]

@@rearwheelperformance so my best option is either a upgraded aftermarket UCA or remove the strut spacer and use a lift spindle right?

[@rearwheelperformance]

@@512juancho Yes, both will likely solve your mechanical issues, but the spindle solution will also restore the ride and handling back to near stock feeling.

[@APtS_Gh0stHunt3R]

why do people say it is bad to leveling kits? I have a truck and every shop is trying to sell me a suspension set which cost $1600 and I don't ride off road... mine is just a 4x2. so should I just do a leveling kit>?

[@rearwheelperformance]

Leveling kits and spacer kits biggest drawback is the reduction of suspension dropout travel. The control arms are set to a different ride height angles than they were engineered for, which can also effect ride and handling, even on the street. Depending on the make and model, upper and/or lower ball joint wear and failure can also be increased. A couple of inches usually is ok, but many 3"+ spacers can be brutal in the short and long run.

[@APtS_Gh0stHunt3R]

@@rearwheelperformance Thank you for you reply. I am thinking around 1.5" to 2" max spacers. not going to do anything more than 2".

[@guadalupezepeda2374]

Hello there so I had a question regarding the spacer put on the break line to relocate it how can I find it and is there a better video that c an show me how to install it safely

[@rearwheelperformance]

Spacer lifts will rarely require modification or extension of the brake lines, but most spindle lifts will require modification or extended brake lines. Most companies that distribute suspension lifts will also usually also sell or include extended brake lines that can be installed if necessary.

[@guadalupezepeda2374]

@@rearwheelperformance I just recently purchased a 4 inch spindle lift kit from maxtrac and I was wondering how you did it with the break line on the video it doesn’t show you installing extended break lines ?

[@rearwheelperformance]

@@guadalupezepeda2374 The hard spacers in the video are prototypes that are being long-term tested for safety and functionality, but are currently not in production. Until these are released, we recommend extended brake lines as the best way to proceed.

[@MrSantiago1970]

Installing a3”spindle do I need to use different size on Shocks

[@rearwheelperformance]

It is not necessary to change to longer shocks (or change struts if equipped) for a simple spindle lift.

[@emiliogonzalez9100]

Can I still upgrade the upper control arm for one that’s made for a 3 inch lift?

[@rearwheelperformance]

Probably, but we'd like to know the complete vehicle application and manufacturer part # of the control arms is.

[@emiliogonzalez9100]

@@rearwheelperformance it’s a 2002 gmc Sierra rwd, I have a 3 inch rough country lift kit that has the spindles/knuckles

[@chrisgoated2584]

I have a 07 4wd Tahoe would I be able to put 4.5” spindles ?

[@rearwheelperformance]

If it is part of a kit intended for fitment into a 4wd application it may. 4wd spindle/knuckle kits have a lot more required components in their kits.

[@nickdismute6214]

Can you run both a leveling kit and lift spindles

[@rearwheelperformance]

For many applications, yes. But, more lift can mean that there may be more modifications required to allow for brake line and sensor wire lengths and routing.

[@nickdismute6214]

So extended brake lines should be fine?

[@rearwheelperformance]

@@nickdismute6214 Extend the brake lines and any other wires that it may have depending on the application. Turn the knuckles full left/right at dropout to make sure everything is routed freely and not overextending or rubbing on anything.

[@gavinw1216]

do y’all make 4wd lifted knuckles for 07 toyota 4 runner

[@rearwheelperformance]

We do not have a supplier for any 4wd spindles at this time, sorry.

[@joeclark9042]

Hey can anybody tell me how I can get ahold of rear wheel performance I want to see if they got a lifting spindles for my truck

[@rearwheelperformance]

We worked only on the 09-20 F150 2WD lift spindle/knuckle development up until cov and paused the program after the first finished batch arrived. We have designs for more vehicle models, but are holding off on production of those for now. 877-910-2244 M-F 8a-4p Central

[@Adan345]

How much for bigger spindle for my 2006 Ford f150 4.6 2wd

[@rearwheelperformance]

That generation chassis was fairly brief, and we haven't seen any cost effective cast iron spindles. There is at least one manufacturer making fabricated steel spindles, but we would expect them in the $1000 range. Our supplier does not currently make them.

[@jaswinderahluwalia]

Can you lift Golf Mk 7 1.4tsi year 2014 by about 1.5 inches

[@rearwheelperformance]

Haven't tried it, but you likely can fabricate lift spacers (if yuo can't locate a ready-made kit). .25" to .75" likely would be a streetable range, and more than that would likely sacrifice ride and handling.

[@leonardcusumano3524]

Would you recommend spacers just for the look, I do not go off reading, thank you

[@rearwheelperformance]

Spacers up to a couple of inches are fine for the street. If going more than about 2 inches or for heavy trail riding you would want to make sure there is enough drop-out travel with no binding in ball joints or tie rods.

[@midntdlight4782]

So if you have a 4x4, a spindle lift won’t work?

[@rearwheelperformance]

A 2wd spindle will not allow for a front axle to pass-through. But, there are dedicated 4wd spindle lift kits available that use a combination of a 4wd spindle and lower control arm relocation brackets.

[@Nathan-pw1rh]

spindle lift not doable with 4x4?

[@rearwheelperformance]

There are lift kits around 6" that use modified spindles along with drop brackets to lower other components such as the lower control arms to accommodate the axle shafts that 4 wheel drive vehicle have. 2 wheel drives are much simpler so they can use lift spindles with minimal other modifications. Lift spacers are often the cheaper and easier alternative for 4 wheel drive applications, but they are only designed to add a few inches of height.

[@ericyue34]

So just to clarify, you CANNOT spindle lift a 4x4? I just bought a 6” lift truck and found out who the brand of the lift is because I want to lower the truck 2” but they are saying it’s impossible since it’s a spindle lift

[@justind9631]

That’s just common sense that you can’t put 2wd lift spindles on a 4wd because for one the cv axles a have to go through and there wound t be room for the front differential

[@rearwheelperformance]

These particular 09-20 2wd lift spindles will not fit any 4wd/awd application. Some other brands have much more involved spindle lift kits for 4wd, but they use a different design of extended length spindle that is used along with lower control arm drop brackets. If it is a later model F150 there are 2" drop spindles available that fit both 2 and 4 wheel drive applications.

[@smookmaine7281]

Do u have a website?

[@rearwheelperformance]

We are working on a RWP site for the media content. We sell parts through www.nationaldrivetrain.com, but are not actively cross-promoting it with our social media. Thanks

[@smookmaine7281]

@@rearwheelperformance I need a spindle kit for 2020 Tundra

[@tuckersavant9998]

can u do both

[@rearwheelperformance]

It can be done (stacking spindles and spacer lifts), but many manufacturers and suppliers will recommend against it. Safety related things like brake line and electrical line routing and lengths can also get more complicated. It is frequently done against the manufacturers' advice, but can work out ok when done properly.

[@nickdismute6214]

So basically get extended brake lines?

[@christopherhamilton4373]

Lift spindles only work on 4wd if you pull the axles and run 2wd hubs

[@rearwheelperformance]

Surely.

[@theone-jm3gl]

How much

[@rearwheelperformance]

Usually not much, but sometime too much. Depends on how much you have.

[@leonardcusumano3524]

that’s off roading

[@rearwheelperformance]

We got you.