So today I finally ordered my spindles. I am getting the Doestch Spindles from Suspension Max. They have an ebay store, as well as a location in CA. The spindles on ebay come with 2" blocks for just under $300, $297 i think. Well, obviously, 2" blocks will do an EDGE no good, since we already have them. I talked to YC at suspension max. I was able to get just the spindles for $260. They also have the 2" drop shackles for a C1500 (full size GM). So I ordered them as well. My total for the Spindles and shackles was $333.95 to my door!

I just got off the phone with summit and ordered some add a leafs for the rear. So overall the truck should be close to level, or maybe a little more in the rear. Hopefully the shackles help counter act the added stiffness of the add a leafs. Oh and the AALs from summit were like $33 to my door. So total price for the 3" of lift (Front: 3" spindles Rear: ~2" AAL + 1" shackles) shipped to my door was roughly $367. Not too shabby.

Now to just find a place to put them on...since apparently hell froze over.

Pics will be up as soon as I find a warm place to install them...or until I run out of patience and decide to bear the elements.

 

ahhh... feels good to be in texas...

congrats on the lift, mike... can't wait to see it :)

 

If you have a 2WD Edge, which you do Mike, you have 1.5" blocks, not 2". For some reason, the 2WD Edges have smaller blocks. I put Carl's old blocks in mine to get an extra 1/2".

Let me know how bad that add-a-leaf is, since we have basically the same truck. You still have the RSX's, yes? So we even have the same shocks!

 

haha...must be nice to work on your truck year long...if i had a heated garage, heck a garage period, it would be doable...but alas, I don't have such resources

 

I ain't got a heated nothin'...dang Texans...

 

Shhh! Don't tell anyone

haha...One of Rachel's friends called her to see if I could pick her up since she was stuck at a friends house and couldnt get home in the snow. I get there pick her up, on the home I told her I was laughing b/c she asked based on the fact I had a truck...I told her it wasn't a 4x4...she was surprised. I told her I just treat it as if it were...well, actually I drive smarter than if it were a 4x4.

But back on topic, yes John I still have the RSX shocks...although down the road, I guess it may be good to swap them out for some longer shocks in the rear to take advantage of the added suspension.

And, well I guess regarding the blocks it saved me $30 and I got the AAL's which provided an extra 1" rather than 0.5". So I guess it all works out...somewhat.

 

I thought you got 2" from AAL's? I guess there's different types. Most of it is from the arch they force in your springs, and part from the thickness.

 

That's my impression too...oh I re-read my post...ok I meant had i got the 2" blocks and not the AAL I would have gained 0.5" over the stock 1.5" blocks. With the 2" AAL I will gain 2" over the stock blocks or 1.5" more than the 2" blocks that I declined. Ok I said an 1"...well actually on summit it does say 1.5-2.5" AAL. And I think this is what you were referring to with the way the arch the springs.

 

Most likely. I have to replace my bars up front, and when I do I'm cranking them a bit more. Won't get to spindle retrofit height though.

 

Did you figure out what bars you are getting? What stiffness?

 

No, I will got with 1's if they show up, B's preferred since I have a rather lighter front end. Both are stiffer than stock, which is important if you're going to run at things in 2WD. Djaye's checking his source for a set, and they show up on eBay from time to time.

Need some warmer weather to put them in though. This single digit stuff and below zero wind chills are a bit much even for me as far as doing work on the truck -- much less the snow out there!

 

I hear ya about the cold...any advice on installing the shackles?

 

I did a post on it somewhere and I think I described it.

I lifted the truck with a high lift jack in the rear receiver, then put jackstands under the frame. You just need to lift it to where the springs are starting to "hang" from the shackles instead of pressing against them -- right after the shackles start to pivot. The wheels will never leave the ground.

The bottom bolt (spring to shackle) is on with the bolt head on the inside and the nut on the outside -- backwards of easy. I found it easier to take the nut off the bottom, then remove the top (shackle to hanger) bolt. Then you can pull down on the spring until you can get the bottom bolt out. I reinstalled them the other way around to make it easier in the future.

The top bolt has a nut with a bit of plate welded to it that keeps it from turning. You need only turn the bolt on the outside. The nut will fall down in a recess at the top of the hanger, and you'll have to hold it in place when starting the bolt when the new shackle is installed.

After the old ones are off, to install the new ones, I did the top bolt first, loosely, then the bottom. The longer shackle makes it easier, and you can always raise the truck a bit more if needed. You can just flex the spring up and down by hand to get it to line up also.

It's really pretty easy.

 

do one at a time, make sure to have the vehicle secured with blocks under the wheels, have a jack under the axle, on the side u're working on, remove bolts, insert shackle, put bolts in, replace shackle to place-where-leaf-should-have-gone, then jack up axle a bit to make it go back, tighten down....flip sides.....viola!

 

Yeah, what he said! ^^^^^

 

haha, i think we posted at the same time, i didnt see u're reply john....i just summed it up for ya!

 

I talk too much, lol! Yours was more succinct!

 

haha


now, where did u find this lift? those prices seem damn good, and i'm searching on ebay for a set myself...i cant find any?

 

just call up Suspension Max like sawred did sounds like he got a good deal

 

3 options:

1. Do a search on ebay. You can probably search for Suspension Max. Or do a search for "Ranger Spindle" and they should have one come up. It may be down at the bottom where it says similar auctions.

2. Just call Suspension Max direct. 714.632.7024. Ask for YC.

3. Email direct. sales@suspensionmax.com

 

I will have a nice package waiting for me when i get home
haha..one more box to move tomorrow to the new apt...ugh

 

and then one more mod to do to the truck....if u do it u'reself, try to do a write up for us!

im surious as to how siliar they are to the fabtech and procomp spindles...

 

I'd like to do it myself...hope to knock out the rear this weekend. (I think it's actually supposed to top the 40's) The front I am hesitant to do, since i've never messed around with the brakes before. But if i end up doing it myself or with help i will try to get some nice pics and a write up. Otherwise, donations for the lift labor can be sent to Mike Collarin. My paypal account is under sawred@yahoo.com i think

 

....Brent Burnette....

haha

yeah, i'm wantin to crank my t bars and add my shackles, but my slightly-above-freezing weather is telling me "NO"

 

What are you doing about rear shocks?