Lifting Dilema

rtippett

What is the difference (besides looks) between A arm lift and spindle lift? Which is better?

BGW

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scottyb

A block lift will block the body up off of the axles leaving the ground clearance unchanged except for increase in tire size.

A spindle lift will reposition the wheels lower and lift the axle up off of the ground higher.

An a arm will replace the axle with independent suspension giving the best ride and improved clearance.

Jake's Golf Carts

Which style spindle lifts and which style a-arm lifts are you referring to? There are many different makes of both. What Scotty said is pretty much dead on. But note not all a-arm lifts give you independent suspension/long travel.

AirJunky

Also note that on a block lift the only place the ground clearance is "unchanged" is at the axle between the two front tires. And even that changes to some extent. You are increasing clearance under the middle of the cart though.

By raising the body to make room for tires, and installing larger tires, you can raise the axles, front & rear. Articulation & amount of travel is not effected by the spindle or block lifts unless your replacing springs & shocks too.

And regardless of what front suspension you install, using the live axles these carts have ensures that you will not get any more clearance under the rear axle than the larger tires provide. The use of a custom IRS is about the only way to increase clearance under the rear axle. Using a 3 link or 4 link rear suspension will improve articulation..... the end result being better clearance & keeping the rubber on the road.

Which is better is something you have to define by asking yourself what you want in the end.... and what your willing to spend. A-arm suspensions or Independent suspensions will usually give more articulation & longer travel (usually).... and their usually the most expensive. Block lifts are cheap & easy. Spindle lifts are basically somewhere between the two... more lift, more clearance under the front axle, but no more articulation or travel than the stock springs gave you in the first place.

At least thats how I see it..... YMMV.

mikesmotortoys

Lift kit basics 101:
A spindle lift will basically give you more clearance for larger tires, using all your stock suspension components
An A Arm lift is more of an 'engineered' kit with better stability and function. Not all A Arms are created equally, though.