Oh it was close, but I never experienced any contact, no cut or torn boots. No problems on my 3 trucks.. I did my 2002 Silverado ECSB (sold), my 2005 Avalanche (still have), and my 2003 Silverado RCSB (still have). All 3 trucks are 4x4. I did all the work myself and I never had an issue.

 

Belltech 2508s have less bumpsteer effect than McGaughy 17+ spindles, which are the only McGaughy spindles that would work with a CV shaft. The tie rod placement is slightly better on Belltech. Otherwise dimensions are near the same.
If you were talking about the McGaughy 16" spindles I would have agreed with you that they are great, but not in the case of 4wd/awd where McG is inferior.

 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion for sure.. I was just sharing mine. I have no issues with reliability, bump steer, or driveability with the components I've chosen. My experience is clearly different than yours as the research I did the belltechs showed they were the inferior parts. I will continue to endorse mcgaughys as that is what I have experience with.

 

Yeah I wasn't stating it as a matter of opinion, it's based on the actual geometry of the product (not quality either as they are both about equal there). The differences are minimal, but the lower you go, the more bumpsteer would be felt with the McG 17" than compared to the BT. The 2508's have a slightly lower tie-rod mount meaning the toe and other alignment angles will see less drastic change through the travel.
Wasn't trying to debase your input on purpose so don't get too defensive.
It's the 16" McGaughy spindle (same height as OE spindle) that is ideal for a lowered GMT800, but unfortunately that does not apply to us with 4wd/awd.

 

torque the uppper ball joint then trim some of the stud off for clearance..

 

ShredSled first off killer truck! your and black04 were my inspiration for building mine. I had the McGaughys with djm upper and lower control arms and stock keys. I didnt like the minimal clearance between the cv axle and upper ball joint. these belltech spindles 2508 do they give more clearance there?
this is how it sat on that set up unfortunately I had to get rid of that truck but im in the process of recreating it but want to right parts first time!!

 

Tydriver any pics of your Truck?

 

Yeah, well I wasn't speaking from a matter of opinion either. I was speaking from a stand point of actual geometry as well.. I believe your understanding of suspension geometry isn't 100% accurate. The issues goes deeper than the tie-rod mounting point on the spindle. I'm not going to get into an internet argument, its pointless. This is my last post regarding the differences, its pointless to argue. I've never dealt with the 16" McG spindles, and I've never had a 2wd truck dropped, all my trucks have been 4wd also. I suppose if you're going for a mega-dropped truck then you could argue the slightly higher CV shaft location of the BT spindles pay dividends towards their life span, but at best thats just an argument with no known or proven facts that have been documented. The changes made in the overall suspension geometry by the taller spindle have been proven, and documented.


~~~ Straight from McGaughy's Website ~~~

Spindle comparison

One competitor tried to copy it a second time and our attorneys had production stopped again. Now, their only way around our patent is to make their SPINDLE TALLER with a higher steering arm (shown below) which createsBUMP STEER, excessive BALL JOINT ANGLES, ALIGNMENT ISSUES, and the list goes on and on!!!

Their spindle DOES NOT keep the stock geometry.





There's no denying the taller spindle argument and its effect on bumpsteer and suspension geometry, there's also a reason bell tech copied them 2x. Their design is superior.

 

Tydriver i researched for months before I bought McGaughys the last time and I guess I will be doing the same again just heard belltechs have more clearance and was considering them only for that reason but I do want to beat the sh@t out of my truck when its done so i would like for it to be proper !
i do like the stabilizer that shredsled uses and the fabtech and cognito steering braces and think i will be using them too.... any ideas on tie rod ends?

 

Sorry, I didn't see this post earlier.

I don't have any of my '03 Silverado, it's not all that photogenic as its my daily driver.

Here's my '05 Avalanche lowered with McGaughys and hellwig big bars...


More pics here:

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...-truck-515896/

My 2002 Extended Cab 4x4