Advice onn 3" lift Springtech spindles

[GHungy]

Does anyone have good or bad to say about the Springtech brand of lift Spindles.
They are over $100 less than Fabteq's, and that includes free delivery. The thing that worries me, though, is that the sales guy stated they were not for off-road and I didn't even get to that part of the conversation yet. He sort of scared me! He followed that statement with "everyone else's products are not recommended for going off-road".

[lifted2wds10]

those are the spindles i had on my truck. they had doetsch tech stickers all through the box so im not sure if they are the company that actually casts them or what but anyways, i beat the crap out of mine when i had them and i never had a problem. you are much more likely to break a ball joint than break a spindle. they say things like that to Cover their a$$. if you were to take it off road and break it somehow and wanted to sue because you thought it was a defective product, they can say well that is not their reccommended use.

AIM sells the same cast spindles and their site said that they could actually snap at the spindle shaft if you use the wrong offset wheel. i talked to 6 different people from AIM and they had never heard of that happening. i don't know who makes up these warnings but they really need to communicate them to their staff so they can explain the warnings. but whatever thats the way the cookie crumbles

[Scott241]

the way i see it, would you rather have a busted ass spindle going down the freeway/ at like 80 or out on a trail in the middle of nowhere, all becasue you dident want to spend the extra 100 bucks to get the best quality spindle avaible, that is tested and true, somewhere the red baron did a side by side comparsion, about another companyies lift spindle, and fabtechs, lets just say he pointed out stress cracks on the cheap spindle and the fabtech spindle, no cracks whatsoever, when it comes to saftey expecially when choosing a main component such as a spindle, i would pay the extra 100 bucks for something that i know will hold up.

[pdiculous963]

They are now cast at the same foundry, i have mine and they seem pretty good, after a few months

[The Red Baron]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scott241

the way i see it, would you rather have a busted ass spindle going down the freeway/ at like 80 or out on a trail in the middle of nowhere, all becasue you dident want to spend the extra 100 bucks to get the best quality spindle avaible, that is tested and true, somewhere the red baron did a side by side comparsion, about another companyies lift spindle, and fabtechs, lets just say he pointed out stress cracks on the cheap spindle and the fabtech spindle, no cracks whatsoever, when it comes to saftey expecially when choosing a main component such as a spindle, i would pay the extra 100 bucks for something that i know will hold up.

There are good spindles and cheap spindles.

Here is a cheap lift spindle.



Here is a Fabtech lift spindle.



Look how much beefier the Fabtech spindle is.

Fabtech is the only one I ever recomend for that reason. Spindles are too important to go cheap on.

Does it look like the rust is discolored from flexing like a leaf spring at the top corner of the cheap spindle or is it just me?

Lets take a closer look.




Those could be casting marks or they could be cracks...

I think I would still recomend the "second design" BEEFY Fabtech spindles, wouldn't you?

[GHungy]

Thank you all for your time spent replying. It sounds like the ST"s are o'k, but the extra meat on those Fabtech's is worth the extra $100 to me. When it comes to brakes and suspension, I live by the old saying; "buy the best and you'll never regret it!"

[matrad]

looks like im gonna have to be checking my spindles for crax...then either re-enforcing for the time being....or upgrade to fabtech!! plus the fabtech spindle looks like it sticks out more..or is that just the wheel back spacing??

[The Red Baron]

Quote: Originally Posted by matrad

looks like im gonna have to be checking my spindles for crax...then either re-enforcing for the time being....or upgrade to fabtech!! plus the fabtech spindle looks like it sticks out more..or is that just the wheel back spacing??

That's just the wheel back spacing.

Don't get into S10-Geek's panic mode, those spindle have been used that way for over 2 years. I just copy and pasted some posts from the old thread. Here is more info you should know. Check the link below for the whole scoop.

Quote: Originally Posted by The Red Baron

Matt, you made an excelent point earlier. Just because the casting is thicker doesn't nessisarily mean it's better. Just like wood, metal comes in many different quality levels. It's my understanding that the first generation of everyones spindles, Bullseye, AIM and Fabtech had quality issues. Turns out they were all useing the same crappy foundury. A few years back Fabtech and AIM started useing the foundry out here in LA and now the stories of broken spindles are getting older and older. I don't think Fabtech even advertises thier spindles as the second design any more. I like the overkill beefy Fabtech spindles but in actuality, in this sue crazy day and age, if a company is still selling spindles they had to have worked the bugs out by now.

Matt, those pictures were taken back in the summer of 2004, if your spindles are still in one piece it's probibly not going to be a problem. I've seen how you drive.

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f134/help-with-small-2wd-lift-265949/

[pdiculous963]

This cracked spindle stuff is bullshit, we;ve all heard of it but none of us have seen it, so go ahead man and buy them, they;ll be sweet

[lifted2wds10]

so s10geek these drop spindles just break and fall all apart on the highway and send the cars careening to their fiery deaths? red barons only seen one and youve seen 3 total, you seem the resident expert on the subject. do you have pictures of these busted spindles?




red baron i wish i had a better front pic of these spindles to compare to the ones that you have on your first pic because the ones i got seemed like super thick castings

[The Red Baron]

Quote: Originally Posted by lifted2wds10

red baron i wish i had a better front pic of these spindles to compare to the ones that you have on your first pic because the ones i got seemed like super thick castings

WOW! That is a AIM (AKA Doetsch Tech and Spring Tech) spindle? There is plenty enough front angle to see that is every bit as beefy as the Fabtech spindle shown below!



Barry James is the guy who used to spread the False rumors about the AIM spindles. He's posted that BS all over the internet. He is the one who I got the idea of the "weaker" brand name from. I never questioned him about it until now. I wish I had years ago. Thanks for posting the pic, you've made a AIM spindle believer out of me!

[The Red Baron]

Quote: Originally Posted by pdiculous963

This cracked spindle stuff is bullshit, we;ve all heard of it but none of us have seen it, so go ahead man and buy them, they;ll be sweet

Amen brother.

[AlabamaNoma]

Sweet! I've heard those rumors quite a bit. My Sonoma is out of the shop and I'm starting my new job so the cash flow for mods is about to pick up.

By the way, 91 Sonoma vs. 03 Mustang...managed to completely total the Mustang and even ripped the rear axle out of it.......my truck was in the shop one month and is back riding just as good as before!
GMC/Chevy 4 Life!



P.S. Watch out for rebar in the road.

[The Red Baron]

Quote: Originally Posted by AlabamaNoma

P.S. Watch out for rebar in the road.

Screw the rebar!!!

I'm looking out for YOU!!!

[pdiculous963]

+1, haha

[AlabamaNoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Red Baron

Screw the rebar!!!

I'm looking out for YOU!!!

No kidding...full metal GMC holds up much better than a mostly plastic/fiberglass Mustang.

Yeah, what happened is I was making a corner, actually BELOW speed limit and suddenly my tire blew. With the left front tire gone, steering went out the window and I made an undesired left turn. Unfortunately for a 19 year old girl in a shiny yellow Ford Mustang, she was in my path.

A day later, my insurance guy came to look at it. I told him about the tire blowing and he was poking around at it and noticed something wedged into the wheel itself...a piece of broken Rebar, about 4 inches long. Fortunately, the insurance guy was a family friend before he went into insurance, so he was able to pull some strings and got it declared road hazard or some shit and I'm able to keep my original payment.
I now pay CLOSE attention to what is in the road when I'm driving...except for possums, those suckers are toast.

[matrad]

looked at my spindles today(aim 3") and so far they aren't crackin.. so im still good for a little while...should give me enough time to save for a set of fabtech!!!

[slam]

[quote=
I now pay CLOSE attention to what is in the road when I'm driving...except for possums, those suckers are toast.[/quote]




Now thats good. lol

[AlabamaNoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by slam

Now thats good. lol

That's a redneck sport down here in Bama. ROLL TIDE!

[Red_devil]

I am looking into getting my 3" spindles for my truck. Where do I go to get them online. I can't find the site anywhere. Can someone help me out. I'll save now and look good driving. Also, the 2" shackles can be bought at a local auto store right? No add a leafs needed?

[Donahue]

Quote: Originally Posted by Red_devil

I am looking into getting my 3" spindles for my truck. Where do I go to get them online. I can't find the site anywhere. Can someone help me out. I'll save now and look good driving. Also, the 2" shackles can be bought at a local auto store right? No add a leafs needed?

dont get the auto parts store shackles, they are junk and are way too weak. make your own if you want to save money.

[89-S-Dime]

Quote: Originally Posted by lifted2wds10

so s10geek these drop spindles just break and fall all apart on the highway and send the cars careening to their fiery deaths? red barons only seen one and youve seen 3 total, you seem the resident expert on the subject. do you have pictures of these busted spindles?




red baron i wish i had a better front pic of these spindles to compare to the ones that you have on your first pic because the ones i got seemed like super thick castings

Hey lifted2wds10 that spindle looks like it's made by Aim, how long did you run that spindle before you went to a SAS ? did you ever take it off road?

The Red Baron had posted some photos above of a Aim spindle that had cracks in the casting but some how the photos were deleted, what happened to the photos Red Baron?

[89-S-Dime]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Red Baron

There are good spindles and cheap spindles.

Here is a cheap lift spindle.



Here is a Fabtech lift spindle.



Look how much beefier the Fabtech spindle is.

Fabtech is the only one I ever recomend for that reason. Spindles are too important to go cheap on.

Does it look like the rust is discolored from flexing like a leaf spring at the top corner of the cheap spindle or is it just me?

Lets take a closer look.




Those could be casting marks or they could be cracks...

I think I would still recomend the "second design" BEEFY Fabtech spindles, wouldn't you?

What happened to the photos of the cheap spindles?

[What?]

Quote: Originally Posted by Red_devil

I am looking into getting my 3" spindles for my truck. Where do I go to get them online. I can't find the site anywhere. Can someone help me out. I'll save now and look good driving. Also, the 2" shackles can be bought at a local auto store right? No add a leafs needed?

Spindle, you can get one from ebay or www.chassistech.com...however try and search for any used fabtech for better deal

As for shackles, just exactly what Donahue said, however, just go buy one from www.3leaffab.com, well worth the lift of the $ and quality , you'll have to get longer shocks however, so you can use zr2 shocks in rear, itll fit and longer than stock

[What?]

Quote: Originally Posted by 89-S-Dime

Hey lifted2wds10 that spindle looks like it's made by Aim, how long did you run that spindle before you went to a SAS ? did you ever take it off road?

im still running the same AIm Spindle and its as thick as fabtech spindle, actually slightly larger than fabtech spindle in most all around design compared to 2nd gen fabtech, not 3rd. It held up as strong as it did with fabtech in offroading, its last thing to worry about

Quote: Originally Posted by 89-S-Dime

The Red Baron had posted some photos above of a Aim spindle that had cracks in the casting but some how the photos were deleted, what happened to the photos Red Baron?

i believe it was the 1st lift spindle may have that had crack but nothing ever since

Quote: Originally Posted by 89-S-Dime

What happened to the photos of the cheap spindles?

PM him or check over at www.dezertdimes.com its old pics

[The Red Baron]

Quote: Originally Posted by 89-S-Dime

What happened to the photos of the cheap spindles?

After over two years of off road beating those couldn't have been cracks. They have to have only been common casting marks. Other people were using the pics as scare tactics to say the older style AIM/Bullseye spindles have broken. Not true. I searched for many hours over many days on several forums and NEVER found anyone who ever posted pics of, or complained of a broken spindle!


That is why I took down the pics...

[89-S-Dime]

ok thanks

[Red_devil]

Quote:

dont get the auto parts store shackles, they are junk and are way too weak. make your own if you want to save money.

So how would I go about makeing my own and out of what. I love to fabricate stuff, but I'm not much of a welder and I am not sure where to start. Would it be better to just flip the axle and then replace the original spindles with 3.5" aftermarkets? Or would this set everything off. I want to save as much money as I can without haveing to get rapped by the local lift shops. They are good but expensive.....OOO, I see your website. I like the shakles and when i am in the market i will buy from you because they look very dependable. Worth the money it seems. What would you suggest?
I just bought my 2" body lift today and it should be here soon. Looking forward to lifting and putting 2 inch spacers for the wheels so that they are not tucked up under my truck. I will get under the frame when thats done and spray some undercoating on it to nicen things up. I will be doing the body lift myself, because of the local shops, like I said, and may need some tips as to how to...put things together. I did a 3" body lift once on a 89 F-150 and it looked great but it took about 3 months of work by myself. I want to get it done in a weekend with some help from some friends. I think it can be done. My bigest problem is the core support. I don't want to take my whole front end apart. what should I do????