Cv axles, Napa/trak motive or top notch

Fifty · Mar 21, 2026

I need to go a little taller on my 2015i gmc Yukon xl.
I’ve noticed the cv axle is what is current limiting any additional droop or lift.
I need to raise the vehicle about 1.25” to get it level. (Z71 suburban height level)

So longer cv axles is what is needed so I can utilize the whole shock. My shocks are essentially 19.5 extended 4.9 travel and I want to toss a level spacer on there until I get new shocks built that will 20.25-20.5 extended and 5.3 travel

Anyone use the trakmotive lifted truck axles sold through Napa?

It looks like top notch sells a similar axle for half the price. But I have never heard of them. So no idea on quality.

Any opinions on these axles?

Doubeleive · Mar 21, 2026

Fifty said:
I need to go a little taller on my 2015i gmc Yukon xl.
I’ve noticed the cv axle is what is current limiting any additional droop or lift.
I need to raise the vehicle about 1.25” to get it level. (Z71 suburban height level)

So longer cv axles is what is needed so I can utilize the whole shock. My shocks are essentially 19.5 extended 4.9 travel and I want to toss a level spacer on there until I get new shocks built that will 20.25-20.5 extended and 5.3 travel

Anyone use the trakmotive lifted truck axles sold through Napa?

It looks like top notch sells a similar axle for half the price. But I have never heard of them. So no idea on quality.

Any opinions on these axles?

have you looked at axle spacers?

RCD 2011 - 2019 GM 2500HD Front Axle CV Spacer Kit # 20-72423

Race Car Dynamics replacement part # 20-72423. Front CV Drive Axle Spacer Kit. For use on Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD / 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500HD / 3500 trucks equipped with RCD Suspension Kit # 10-41811. Please read below for more important fitment information...

performancelifts.com

Fifty · Mar 21, 2026

Not sure if those will fit a 1500

But my real concern is that it would make the joint angle worse. The trackmotive use a higher angle joint and it also keeps the joints spread to minimize angle at full droop

Doubeleive · Mar 22, 2026

Fifty said:
Not sure if those will fit a 1500

But my real concern is that it would make the joint angle worse. The trackmotive use a higher angle joint and it also keeps the joints spread to minimize angle at full droop

from the photos of the axle it basically looks like the spacer is buiilt in, I was just suggesting other things to consider. Not sure what all mod's you have done or are doing but shocks alone are probably not going to give you extra travel, probably going to need to do other mods like control arms, brake lines, and even abs sensor harness.
If you are just doing a level kit there is no need for extended axles

Fifty · Mar 22, 2026

I have extended travel shocks. Not a huge amount. But it requires unbolting/loosening the cv nut on the knuckle
Abs line and brake line are fine. It needed high angle ball joint upper control arms.

They are 19.5” extended and 4.9” travel.
Fox makes a 20.5” ext 5.3” travel and I believe kings 3.0 are those same specs.

I am going to make a 3.0 shock with those same specs but want to get the supporting mods done.

Does anyone know if the 1500 Silverado uses the same cv axle pn? Or is the steel knuckle located the unit bearing slightly different than the aluminum knuckle?

Doubeleive · Mar 22, 2026

Fifty said:
I have extended travel shocks. Not a huge amount. But it requires unbolting/loosening the cv nut on the knuckle
Abs line and brake line are fine. It needed high angle ball joint upper control arms.

They are 19.5” extended and 4.9” travel.
Fox makes a 20.5” ext 5.3” travel and I believe kings 3.0 are those same specs.

I am going to make a 3.0 shock with those same specs but want to get the supporting mods done.

Does anyone know if the 1500 Silverado uses the same cv axle pn? Or is the steel knuckle located the unit bearing slightly different than the aluminum knuckle?

I don't know for sure but I have read there are some slight differences. I had a 4.5" lift put on my 2018 silverado, the brake lines and abs harness are at max extension with wheels off the ground even with them adjusted to allow it. Eventually I will address that. I haven't really been to gung-** on the off-roading with it lately.
because of the long wheel base off roading is somewhat limited for me when most of the trails around here are jeep trails with tight turns and rocks, you just can't fit a square peg into a round hole. I do what it can do

Fifty · Mar 22, 2026

I’m only at about .5” over a stock suburban. My front brake lines and abs wires have tons of slack.
My rear brake lines are at max safe. But I don’t want that to go any higher back there. I have plenty of travel.

But yea. The lwb does not do well with tight turns.
You can always see if wams can hack the bcm and abs computer to allow individual rear wheel lock. So it drags the inside rear wheel when making a tight turn.

I may order those trakmotive Napa shafts and see what if any extra they allow.

Doubeleive · Mar 22, 2026

Fifty said:
I’m only at about .5” over a stock suburban. My front brake lines and abs wires have tons of slack.
My rear brake lines are at max safe. But I don’t want that to go any higher back there. I have plenty of travel.

But yea. The lwb does not do well with tight turns.
You can always see if wams can hack the bcm and abs computer to allow individual rear wheel lock. So it drags the inside rear wheel when making a tight turn.

I may order those trakmotive Napa shafts and see what if any extra they allow.

no elocker on the 2018, I could put air or elocker on it if I changed the axle but the 9.5" otherwise has limited options on the market.
all that aside I have the crew cab & standard bed it barely makes a single turn u-turn on a 2 lane road, just barely. which is fine I bought it for the room and bed size, would really prefer a 8ft bed but can't get them in a 1500 with a crew cab

Fifty · Mar 22, 2026

I meant this:

Fless · Mar 22, 2026

Like split brake pedals, but electronic; farm tractors have had them for years to make sharp turns around corners.

Dirty looks · Mar 26, 2026

I have those shafts on my yukon. 3.5 lift
I don't have enough miles on it to verify longevity but in durability testing the rear driveline grenaded while they remained unfazed.

Fifty · Mar 26, 2026

I ordered the trakmotive ones as Napa had a 20% off and free shipping deal going.
Arrived last night. I’m going to try to install Saturday or Sunday

I’ll take some measurements and see how their extended dimensions work out compared to oem ones.

Dirty looks · Mar 26, 2026

I should have been more clear, I currently have track motive as well.
RCV's will be installed when I do the long travel kit and 9 1/4 front diff.

Cv axles, Napa/trak motive or top notch

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RCD 2011 - 2019 GM 2500HD Front Axle CV Spacer Kit # 20-72423

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