Spindle Lift Question

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viv1d

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Ive currently got a leveling kit on my Tahoe, but I will be adding a spindle lift next week. If I get a 3 inch rear space will my truck sit pretty level? Also, will I have any problems fitting some 295/70r18 Trail Grapplers (I think they are about 34.5s)?

Front will have
~3 in spindle
+ ~ 2 Inch keys

Rear
~ 3 Inch spacer

Just wondering how my truck would sit.
 

jdpber

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for starters ont he TIREs you need to specify the wheel that is being used. Is it a stock rim or aftermarket. BECAUSE the offset of a wheel is more important than the width dn diameter. for example if you have a 35 on a -15 on a truck for example with no clearance issues at all, then that same truck you toss on a -75 wheel you will have maybe 1/4 turn of the wheel before you are ripping the fire wall out of the truck and the front bumper off. this is why the super wide wheels and crazy offset wheels run a smaller tire to compensate. the further out you go the greater the axel length becomes and decreases the clearance.

SO lets start with the Wheel.

i am assuming that you are a 2wd as you are stating that you are adding only a lift spindle. and if so you will probably be level dependent on the health of your rear springs. a worn rear spring can sag up to 4". after 190k miles and a lot of towing even with air bags i had to replace my rear springs simply because they were worn and starting to sag.
 
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viv1d

viv1d

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Yeah Im pretty sure Ill just replace to rear springs with z71s. Also the rims are 2014 stock z71 rims. (Hollander 5647)
 

01Konvict

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That setup will clear and use 2" rear spacer with new z71 springs. Decrank keys to match desired height. Anything over 2" starts needing pan hard adjustment and stretches brake lines.
 
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viv1d

viv1d

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My last question is will i need new rear sway bars or will mine be fine with the z71 springs+2 in spacer?
 

01Konvict

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No need for new bars just longer links. The rears are from a 3" jeep but can't recall exact name. On this forum section though. For front nobody has found longer ones yet. I suggest either making some from all thread or go to local auto parts store and search same boot size but longer lengths to fit.
 

bluex

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What lift spindles is everyone using? I'm looking at the rough country ones for my 02 suburban. I'm seeing conflicting info on if they will work or not?
 

bluex

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That setup will clear and use 2" rear spacer with new z71 springs. Decrank keys to match desired height. Anything over 2" starts needing pan hard adjustment and stretches brake lines.
I've been searching for information on my question above. Will the rough country spindles work on a 2wd suburban? I'm finding info from RC saying they wont?
 

01Konvict

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Don't know but its a cast piece of carbon so cant be but so bad. Doubt you will break them or they will randomly break on you. Haven't heard of any breaking before unless jumping a truck.
 

bluex

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Good point, no jumping or anything here, it will stay on the road or an easy trail for the most part since it's 2wd
 

06_2WD_Z71

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I've got 3" Maxtrac spindles on my Tahoe. A few things to be aware of, they usually require wheels with a max backspace of 4.5, and they usually push the track out. Both of these move the wheel out and can cause the issues King Daddy was talking about.

The Maxtrac spindles get a "C" in my book. Why? They stated on their website that the spindles push the wheel out .5 inches. That's fine with me. Well after installing one spindle and test fitting a wheel, I found out that they actually push each wheel out 1 5/8 inches. Holy crap! A little off is one thing, off by 3x is BS. How about don't publish a spec if you can't get it right. So I've had to deal with some rubbing with 34s because of this. 35s are out of the question.

Other than that I don't have any issue with them; they do what spindles do without issue. They bolted up fine and the machining and threads were all good. They are quite a bit heavier than the stockers, and look pretty beefy, so I trust them strength-wise.
 

Chizzychase

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I've got 3" Maxtrac spindles on my Tahoe. A few things to be aware of, they usually require wheels with a max backspace of 4.5, and they usually push the track out. Both of these move the wheel out and can cause the issues King Daddy was talking about.

The Maxtrac spindles get a "C" in my book. Why? They stated on their website that the spindles push the wheel out .5 inches. That's fine with me. Well after installing one spindle and test fitting a wheel, I found out that they actually push each wheel out 1 5/8 inches. Holy crap! A little off is one thing, off by 3x is BS. How about don't publish a spec if you can't get it right. So I've had to deal with some rubbing with 34s because of this. 35s are out of the question.

Other than that I don't have any issue with them; they do what spindles do without issue. They bolted up fine and the machining and threads were all good. They are quite a bit heavier than the stockers, and look pretty beefy, so I trust them strength-wise.

Ive got the same set of spindles sitting around for my truck. Just waiting to save up for install atm. I have debated putting them on myself but my fear is not getting it back together the way is was and being that its suspension components.

Also is there anything else i need to be weary of when I either install them or have them installed?
 

06_2WD_Z71

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As far as the install, in theory there is not much to it, but somehow it took me all weekend and a bit of follow up work, not even counting the time it took to align it afterward (I did the align myself). I'm kind of slow doing things I am unfamiliar with though. If I did it again it would be much quicker.

Bolting the spindles on is pretty straightforward. However on the brake lines, there is a bracket that secures the line to the spindle. The bracket is clamped onto the brake line. You have to rotate the bracket 180 degrees and move it down the brake line a bit. It was fairly difficult to do that, but by spraying the line with silicone spray I was able to work it to the correct position. Then you want to check to make sure that the brake line is not tight at full extension and wheel turned full left and full right. Move the line on the bracket as needed to address that. I also checked with the wheel compressed to make sure the line wasn't hitting anything; no issues there.

My Tahoe has ABS, so I had to re-route the ABS wire and check it at full extension as well.

Also after I installed the spindles, my alignment was way off. Even if I had a shop do the alignment, I would have set the toe before even driving it.

Good luck, it's a significant job, but nothing like lifting a 4wd!
 

Chizzychase

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As far as the install, in theory there is not much to it, but somehow it took me all weekend and a bit of follow up work, not even counting the time it took to align it afterward (I did the align myself). I'm kind of slow doing things I am unfamiliar with though. If I did it again it would be much quicker.

Bolting the spindles on is pretty straightforward. However on the brake lines, there is a bracket that secures the line to the spindle. The bracket is clamped onto the brake line. You have to rotate the bracket 180 degrees and move it down the brake line a bit. It was fairly difficult to do that, but by spraying the line with silicone spray I was able to work it to the correct position. Then you want to check to make sure that the brake line is not tight at full extension and wheel turned full left and full right. Move the line on the bracket as needed to address that. I also checked with the wheel compressed to make sure the line wasn't hitting anything; no issues there.

My Tahoe has ABS, so I had to re-route the ABS wire and check it at full extension as well.

Also after I installed the spindles, my alignment was way off. Even if I had a shop do the alignment, I would have set the toe before even driving it.

Good luck, it's a significant job, but nothing like lifting a 4wd!
Sounds like a handful. I have a shop in the area that quoted me 250 to install them and that's including alignment, do you think that would be worth it especially considering I may have to buy an air compressor, impact gun, ect. to do the job?
 

06_2WD_Z71

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$250 to install and align? I'd be all over that. However I don't have a compressor or any special tools. You just need a good set of deep sockets and a breaker bar. But if someone is willing to do it for $250 and it's a decent shop, I'd go that route.
 

OhFourChevy

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Yeah Im pretty sure Ill just replace to rear springs with z71s. Also the rims are 2014 stock z71 rims. (Hollander 5647)

Were you able to fit those z71 wheels with the spindles?
Did you have any clearance issues?
Any rubbing? Trimming?
 

Chizzychase

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$250 to install and align? I'd be all over that. However I don't have a compressor or any special tools. You just need a good set of deep sockets and a breaker bar. But if someone is willing to do it for $250 and it's a decent shop, I'd go that route.
Yeah, I'm thinking I may do that. I live in FL and it was 104 the other day with like 90% humidity so im thinking i would rather pay someone to sweat and do it.
 

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