Fabtech 2WD Lifts

[ILuvSilverados]

Checking out Fabtech's suspensions lifts and they have a 3' system for $409 and i'm thinking, that is not bad for a suspension lift. But when I look down I see they make the Long Travel and Performance system. All I want is looks, I got a 2WD pickup, I doubt I'd do a lot of off-roading. Would thing 3' System work or do I need to save up and get a performance or long travel system?

[J to the izA]

go for the spindle lift. if you are only going 3 than its better than coil lifts.

[red2wd]

I am about to get the 4" spindle. I have heard really good things about Fabtech. If you get the coil lift, you can always decide to add the spindles and vice versa. And you can also get coil spacers real cheap and add a leafs. What year is yoru truck? ext. cab?

[Fatboy]

I have the 6" fabtech lift for 2wd Chevy, Rocks....!:rocking:

Higher is always better.........:thumbup:



:smokin:

[y2kboti]

ILuvSilverados even if your just going for looks how rall do you want to be? If you go with just the 3" kit that will put you a little taller than a stock 4x4. I would suggest going with 4" spindles and #' coils. It will stiffen the ride a little but it will also look alot better IMO. Here are the downfalls of 2WD lifts. If you change the coil the ride will suffer, if you change the spindles you'll need no wheels. On the other hand it will look alot better. You may want to contact Jeff over at PLC. He sells @wd CST kits that are alot better than Fabtech IMO. Sure they give you the same amount of lift but I think CSTs quality is much better; I guess if all your after is looks it doesn't matter. Also check out these links and tell him I referred you.

http://www.truckworld.com/board/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000622

http://www.performancelifts.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=352

[MulishaTroop]

Well I have the fabtech 4" spindles with there 3" coil springs and upper a-arms. The 4" spindles are by far 10 times beefer and stronger the the 3" bullzeye spindles they use to use. The spindle also makes your tires stick out 1 more inch giving you a wider wheelbase. As far as going with CST im not trying to bash any body but the CST kits look pretty much Identical to the Fabtech kits. And for the past year at least I have made posts and asked what makes CST so much better and nobody as been able to answer my ? the just say you get what you pay for but how does that answer why CST is said to be better. If I were you and just going for looks I would go with the 7" performance fabtech and 3" body and run some 35's or if you want to keep more of a stock ride then get the 6" RCD kit it uses a drop down bracket so you keep your stock coil springs and arms and it also comes with 5100 bilstiens wich are much better shocks then the fabtech. The fabtech kits aren't really fullblown offroad kits but the are design more for offroad with having the stiffer coil springs and stuff. I am speaking from experiance with my truck it's a 93 so if its the newer body style then it may differ a little but its pretty much the same becasue on either truck style the rcd will give you more of a stock ride then fabtech. I hope this helps.

[J to the izA]

the RCD kit does include new coils that are taller.

and the wheelbase doesnt increase. just the front track :tongue:

[MulishaTroop]

Originally posted by JA4x4
the RCD kit does include new coils that are taller.

and the wheelbase doesnt increase. just the front track :tongue:

Yes JA4x4 thats right I couldn't think of the right word for the life of me wheel base was the only thing to pop in my mind but I new it was wrong :assclown:

[2doorhoe]

I am also looking at getting the 4inch spindle lift, so I was wondering if anyone has any pics of this

[y2kboti]

MulishaTroop being out here is CA I see alot of CST products and have been down to their shop a number of times. CSTs quality far exceeds Fabtech. I know the 4" Fabtech spindles are better than the old Bullseyes they used previously but look at a 4" CST spindle and you'll see the difference. Don't get me wrong Fabtech makes a decent product and if your going just for looks you'll be fine. But quality wise they don't compare.

[Jeff@PLC]

I don't really want to get into the who's better debate. The people that are willing to spend more for a better product buy CST. And yes, Fabtech makes a pretty good product. The biggest advantage CST has over Fabtech is quality control. Fabtech is turning into the McDonalds of the off-road industry and cranks stuff out so fast it's getting harder and harder for them to make sure everything is as it should be. CST has a small production crew that is limited to talented fabricators that build products in cycles and maintain a close watch during every stage of construction, whether it's the first cut of the tube or the powdercoat inspection before it's boxed. Everyone is correct when they say the two items look the same. It's the difference between solid gold and gold plated - both look the same right? I recommend the hell out of Fabtech products to customer that just can't afford CST products. CST is probably the most expensive line of suspension products out there and I'll be the first to admit the stuff ain't cheap. If you want a cheap 2wd lift that is as good or better than Fabtech e-mail me - there are still options when it's time to lift a 2wd vehicle. Not everyone can afford to buy CST and it's usually us poor folk that speak badly of companies that charge a premium for their product.

Regarding the Fabtech spindles. Just about every cast spindle used to be built by a company called Bullseye. Fabtech used to buy spindles directly from Bullseye - then Fabtech got wise and bypassed Bullseye. What everyone needs to remember is cast spindles require a steel foundry and those ain't cheap. Fabtech has their spindles made for them now and is improving upon the original designs. The CST fabricated spindle is built by hand from 1018 sheet steel and is one of the best examples of CST craftsmanship. While $689 for a 4" fabricated spindle is expensive, just ask those with long travel kits that have snapped cast spindles if the extra $200 bucks is worth it... you bet your butt it is. I know it's lame to say this, but in certain cases CST builds the best stuff and to get the best you have to pay for it. In other cases where strength or reliability aren't as critical a Fabtech product is as good as a CST product. In fact, CST uses Fabtech spindles in the majority of their kits.

If anyone has 2wd questions e-mail me. I don't have enough time to make the rounds to all the boards as frequently as I'd like to. If you e-mail me I can guarantee that I'll e-mail you back in 24-48 hours tops - unless it's a race weekend.

Jeff @ PLC
www.PerformanceLifts.com

[Fatboy]

Thanks Jeff@PLC ! I wish I had talked to you before I got my Fabtech....
:think:



:smokin:

[Big Angry]

Originally posted by Jeff@PLC
I don't really want to get into the who's better debate. The people that are willing to spend more for a better product buy CST. And yes, Fabtech makes a pretty good product. The biggest advantage CST has over Fabtech is quality control. Fabtech is turning into the McDonalds of the off-road industry and cranks stuff out so fast it's getting harder and harder for them to make sure everything is as it should be. CST has a small production crew that is limited to talented fabricators that build products in cycles and maintain a close watch during every stage of construction, whether it's the first cut of the tube or the powdercoat inspection before it's boxed. Everyone is correct when they say the two items look the same. It's the difference between solid gold and gold plated - both look the same right? I recommend the hell out of Fabtech products to customer that just can't afford CST products. CST is probably the most expensive line of suspension products out there and I'll be the first to admit the stuff ain't cheap. If you want a cheap 2wd lift that is as good or better than Fabtech e-mail me - there are still options when it's time to lift a 2wd vehicle. Not everyone can afford to buy CST and it's usually us poor folk that speak badly of companies that charge a premium for their product.

Regarding the Fabtech spindles. Just about every cast spindle used to be built by a company called Bullseye. Fabtech used to buy spindles directly from Bullseye - then Fabtech got wise and bypassed Bullseye. What everyone needs to remember is cast spindles require a steel foundry and those ain't cheap. Fabtech has their spindles made for them now and is improving upon the original designs. The CST fabricated spindle is built by hand from 1018 sheet steel and is one of the best examples of CST craftsmanship. While $689 for a 4" fabricated spindle is expensive, just ask those with long travel kits that have snapped cast spindles if the extra $200 bucks is worth it... you bet your butt it is. I know it's lame to say this, but in certain cases CST builds the best stuff and to get the best you have to pay for it. In other cases where strength or reliability aren't as critical a Fabtech product is as good as a CST product. In fact, CST uses Fabtech spindles in the majority of their kits.

If anyone has 2wd questions e-mail me. I don't have enough time to make the rounds to all the boards as frequently as I'd like to. If you e-mail me I can guarantee that I'll e-mail you back in 24-48 hours tops - unless it's a race weekend.

Jeff @ PLC
www.PerformanceLifts.com
Jeff, thanks for that informative answer. That is the first time on any board that I have seen such a detailed reply as to why CST is regarded as the top notch off road suspension maker. I am not trying to step on anyone's toes here, but I don't recall ever seeing specific examples of the quality and craftmanship that goes into these lifts. Good job and thanks again.:thumbup:

[y2kboti]

Nice post Jeff. I look at how many times I have said CST products are better and everyone second guesses me. Doesn't bother for two reasons. One, I have seen their products first hand and two, I don't really care if others choose to take my advice...thats exactly what it is advice. On the other hand just looking at their pictures should give the average Joe the anwser as to why their products are better. I wish I had taken some pics of the spindles...Do you have any besides the ones shown in the long travel kit?

[red2wd]

Good answer Jeff. But if someone were to just get the 4" spindles, it sounds like you might as well go with fabtech because they are cheaper and CST uses them as well. Also, does the long travel kit come in 4", if so its only 900? If not, the 7" long travel kit is more like 1500 more than just the spindle lift. I'm not trying to be a smarta$$, I'm just not sure if I have my stuff wrong. Also, will DC 3" springs work with a 4" spindle lift? Thanks for the help!

[Jeff@PLC]

I've been trying to get some digital close-up pictures of the CST products before they are powdercoated. We just got a new Canon G2 that is capable of doing the CST products justice. Once things are painted or powdercoated it's tough to see just how nice some things are put together. In the bare stage is the best time to show close-ups of how things are prepped before they are welded, and then after the weld, just how well it in fact has been welded.

There are plenty of other manufacturers out there that build awesome stuff that NOBODY knows about. Hopefully as more and more truck and SUV owners get online they will learn that there are at least five or six companies that all build products for their vehicles. I know of a few companies and small shops that make CST prices look bargain basement cheap. I don't want to come across as the great promoter or defender of CST... but if somebody wants to see a bunch of CST kit photos I'd be happy to post them.

While on the subject of alternative kits... I know of at least two places that offer a lift for the 88-98 and 99+ 4x4 GM IFS trucks that cycle a clean 11-12" inches of usable front travel. It uses new wider upper and lower J-arms with a coilover King or SAW shock, custom shock mounts and runs a Porsche 930 CV joint to maintain the 4wd functionality. It's a bunch of cash and very few are willing to step up and spend the $$$. That is the kit of the future though. The majority of the lifts installed these days actually reduce off-road capability and performance. It's all about image. CST is trying hard to take that step beyond where other manufacturers have gotten stuck. The million dollar question that somebody needs to ask Fabtech is where the idea to build 2wd lift kits came from... I know the answer and it isn't Fabtech!

Aloha

[red2wd]

Nevermind, I just went to your website and I thought you were talking about only fabtech lifts. But if I wanted the 7" kit (not long travel) how much extra would it cost to get an extra set of leafs with that? Are the Ubolts long enough? That is without shocks right? Thanks

[Jeff@PLC]

Fabtech doesn't offer a 4" lift spindle for the 2wd Silverado or Sierra. And the price on the PLC website needs to be changed - just noticed that. CST was planning to release a 4" cast spindle of their own design - it's still in the works but at the rate they are selling the fabricated spindles the motivation to offer a cheaper solution isn't very high.

If you want an actual 4" lift spindle for the 1999+ Silverado or Sierra you have two choices right now. CST and Full Force Suspension. The CST 4" fabricated spindle sells for around $689 a pair! The Full Force Suspension fabricated spindle, which looks almost identical to the CST made spindle, sells for $539 a pair.

Dick Cepek offers a 3" spring and A-arm kit that should work with any spindle on the market. There are basically two spindle designs and the difference is in the ball-joint taper. Fabtech uses a stock taper and CST and Full Force use a larger taper, larger is stronger. The Dick Cepek arm and spring kit will accomodate either ball-joint and therefore can be used in conjunction with either a CST or Fabtech style spindle. The D!CK Cepek coilsprings are $125 for a pair. In fact, you can get an entire Dick Cepek 99-02 3" arm/spring kit with Series 77 shocks and blocks for $695 - and that's before the FSC.com discount!

As with all of the kits PLC sells you can add or subtract whatever you like. If you want an Add-A-Leaf no problem... if you want a 3" rear block instead of a 2" block because you hate the west coast look, no problem. If you want a custom built spring pack instead of an AAL or block kit, no problem. Most of the kits that PLC sells are put together by the customer with assistance from myself, Seth, or Tony. That way the customer can get as much bang for his or her buck, regardless of who makes the kit.

I hate to take up FSC.com's space with what boils down to an advertisement - if you have any other questions please e-mail them to me in private, I'd be happy to reply to them in detail there. jeff@performancelifts.com


Jeff @ PLC
www.PerformanceLifts.com

Here's a picture of the CST fabricated spindles:
http://www.performancelifts.com/images/cst/CST-4inch-spindles.jpg

[J to the izA]

Camburg here in HB makes nice stuff. they fabricate a lot of desert trucks.

[MulishaTroop]

Thank you for clearing up the CST vs Fabtech thing. I was not trying to bash or make one company to be better then the other I just have never had a straight answer (untill now) on why CST is better. How good are the DC coil springs cause I think I need a new pair mine are probally like 4 yrs old they were on the truck when I bought it but I have the Fabtech 4" spindle, 3" body lift, and the Fabtech upper a-arm and 3" coil spring. I belive the coil springs are sagging because I have 35" Generel Graber MT's on 15x 10 rims and they rub pretty bad and the guy at the local shop says they shouldn't rub cause he has done installs like that and put them on 36's. Also does anybody have any feed back on the H&M motorsports long travel kit for the 89' - 98' c1500 long travel kit. Also I heard that you can mix and match the whole Fabtech and CST kits with eachother.

[red2wd]

I was talking about the 88-98 trucks