When lifting a truck, it’s common to explore different ways to achieve additional height and improved stance. However, not all lift components are compatible with one another. One of the most frequent questions we hear is whether 2WD lift spindles can be added to a truck that already has a subframe-style lift kit. While the idea sounds simple, the two systems work very differently. Understanding why can help you avoid wasted time, incorrect parts, or unsafe suspension setups.
Why 2WD Lift Spindles Don’t Work with Subframe Lift Kits
If you have a 2WD truck with a subframe-style lift kit installed and you’re hoping to gain a few more inches of lift, you may have looked into adding 2WD lift spindles. On the surface, it seems like a simple solution: just bolt them on and enjoy an extra 3–5 inches of height.
However, 2WD lift spindles will not work on trucks that already have a subframe lift kit. Here’s why.
How 2WD Lift Spindles Create Lift
A 2WD lift spindle adds height by relocating the hub mounting surface lower on the spindle—usually by 3–5 inches. This extends the spindle length below the lower ball joint, lifting the truck without changing the distance between the upper and lower ball joint mounting points.
Because the spindle keeps this distance the same as stock, it can be installed by itself without affecting suspension geometry or ride quality. This works perfectly on trucks running factory suspension geometry.
How Subframe Lift Kits Change the Suspension
Subframe lift kits work differently. These kits lower the entire lower control arm assembly by dropping the subframes. To maintain proper suspension geometry, the steering knuckle included with the lift kit is physically longer than the stock part.
Typically, the steering knuckle is lengthened by the same amount that the subframes are lowered. For example:
- If your lift kit drops the subframes 6 inches,
- Then the steering knuckle supplied in the kit will be about 6 inches longer from the upper to lower ball joint mount.
This longer knuckle bridges the gap created by relocating the lower control arms downward.
Why 2WD Lift Spindles Cannot Be Used with Subframe Lifts:
Once a subframe lift is installed, the space between the upper and lower control arms is increased. A 2WD lift spindle still has the original factory spacing, which is now too short to reach both ball joints.
In other words:
- Subframe lifts require a longer steering knuckle.
- 2WD lift spindles keep factory ball joint spacing.
Trying to install 2WD lift spindles on a subframe-lifted truck means the spindle simply won’t reach both control arm mounting points. The parts are not dimensionally compatible, which makes the combination physically impossible to assemble.
The Bottom Line
2WD lift spindles are designed for trucks with factory ball joint spacing.
Subframe lift kits increase that spacing and require a custom-length steering knuckle provided in the kit.
Because of this difference in design, 2WD lift spindles cannot be used to add extra height on top of a subframe lift kit.
