Hey everyone, I am interested in getting a 9-10" lift, I am interested in getting the full throttle suspension because a local dealer has one on his lift and he recommends it, however I've heard good things about the CST. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

It is a matter of opinion, Each one is a goog quality.

You have to ask yourself, who has the best deal, and what do I like?

They are both great lifts and they both will achieve the same results.

I had the Full Throttle on both my last two trucks and would highly recommend it. Not sure about the other company. I know that I would stay away from whiplash.. Not a good lift to have...

Full Throttles customer service is TERRIBLE. CST makes some nice stuff along with RCD and Cognito.

FTS are nice kits, but like norcal said customer service is non-existent.i couldnt even get up with those guys to buy one.
CST is an awesome lift.i almost put that one on my truck but went with Cognito instead and im so glad i did.i love it

Ive never had a problem with FTS service but of course I live near there shop here in Fresno Ca. I have a 12" lift and love it.

You can't go wrong either way. I would say check prices and buy the one you get the best price thru.

A local lift shop told me to go with Cognito because with CST you can't install cognito's steering setup. If I went with CST 9-11'' would I be dissapointed with the steering? I need opinions? for those of you that have a cognito lift, was this problem something that swayed you to getting the cognito lift vs. something else?

i believe the drop bracket that cst uses works to stabilize the steering in the same way as cognito so i don't think its necessary.

i believe the drop bracket that cst uses works to stabilize the steering in the same way as cognito so i don't think its necessary.

Thats what I was looking to hear, anyone else agree?

i went with cognito for some big reasons in my opinion.
1.it leaves the steering in the stock location and it gives you supports/braces for the pitman and idler arm. nothing drops down
2. it doesnt drop the upper a arm down.i do not like the upper a arm drop down brackets. just my opinion.i could go on for days about why i do not like that but i wont go there so as to not offend anyone any further that has a CST or other kit that drops the upper a arm mount.again just my opinion.
3. it widens the track more than CST and some of the others which i think looks better and makes the truck more stable. again my opinion
4.it was cheaper. fact not opinion

reason 5 came later as a bonus. i have now seen both kits with my own eyes and the cognito appears slightly more heavy duty to me. but the CST does come with skid plates.

i can tell you the Cognito is super easy and self explanatory to install.if i can do it myself in a day with ZERO problems without hardly even glancing at the directions a monkey could do it.its highly possible i would have bought a 12 or bigger FTS kit but i couldnt buy one. couldnt get up with them.came really close to buying a 12" Bulletproof kit too.it was just alot more money than the Cognito.2 things held me back on the CST,price and that upper a arm drop bracket

Full Throttles customer service is TERRIBLE. CST makes some nice stuff along with RCD and Cognito.

hey man you know your sh!t..... i would stay away from full throttle. cst,rcd, and cognito are good......

Wow I'm sad.
It's to bad not that many people like full throttle.

I'm o.k now //
my mfg. choices :

www.COGNITOMOTORSPORTS.com *** for gm ifs kit
www.offroadunlimited.com *** for sac kits & more
www.cstsuspension.com *** for gm ifs kits

I run the cognito 10-12" on my truck and it gets used off-road, and it works, I have had zero issues with it. I also do not like the way cst drops down the upper control arms.

I run the cognito 10-12" on my truck and it gets used off-road, and it works, I have had zero issues with it. I also do not like the way cst drops down the upper control arms.

nice truck !!! what wheels are those ??

those appear to be Diamo 16's or maybe kmc hoss. nice truck :)

Well I guess I'll throw my 2 cents in cause it looks like I am the only one who's a CST guy. I went CST for one reason......the front track width. My buddies have Fabtech and RCD with 35's and 10" wheels and i just didn't like how they looked with the front wheels hanging out like they do. I run the 6" CST with all the extras, 325/20 on a 9" wheel, and it was exactly what I was going for. The fit and finish of the products was awesome and the truck rides and handles better than when stock. I am going to the 7 to 8 inch range to make room for 37's so I'll let you know if my opinion changes.

I here what you guys are saying on the UCA drop brackets, and I agree, but I use mine for hauling my toys and people. No serious off roading here....that's what the toys are for!!

I think that everyone has awesome trucks on this post, but when it comes down to these details it's personal preference........price, strength, looks. I would recommend both the CST and Cognito. Good Luck and let everyone know how it turns out.

My 12" Full Throttle kit has had zero problems. I'm not sure why everyone dislikes them. And as far as the track width it is the same as stock on FTS kits. If you decide to go FTS call em up ask for Joey and tell him Eddie sent you.

I also vote Diamo 16. There is no way those are KMC Hoss since I am still waiting for mine to come in.

-Nel

wow,
Everyone has a different opinion,
I'm now told from another lift shop, that CST doesn't include spindles like Cognito because the factory spindle is much stronger. And the reason CST drops the upper A arm is to get correct steering geometry. Cognito did not drop the upper arm, hence the cognito steering kit to correct this?

Sounded like a sales pitch to me as they didn't even sell Cognito. opinions?
I would think an aftermarker spindle would be stronger.

Sounds like a shop that benifits more if they sell a CST kit.

There is no data confirming that a stock spindle is stronger than a cognito fabricated spindle. Go to the cognito website and readup on the basis for dropping the lower control arm (Increases the ability of the suspension geometry to resist the increased loading of a taller tire, etc.....)

CST and Cognito are two different approaches to the same delima, how to lift a IFS truck. They are both good at it and both have their good and bad points. Many have listed on this site the two differences with each, being;

Cognito
1. Increased front track width. Some think that this is a bad thing. 7-9" kit is about 3/4" increase overall.
2. Upper A-arm stays in stock locationg providing suspension components increased ability to resist the increase larger tire side loads.
3. Only one cut to lower a-arm mount.
4. Sway bar in stock location, just longer end links.
5. Use of idler/pitman arm braces. A benifit for sure.
6. Exposed front diff? Con?
7. Usually lower install cost than upper a-arm drop kit.
8. Shorter shocks must be used for dual front shock kit which looks a little odd compared to a a-arm drop kit. See below.
9. More backspacing than stock to clear taller spindle. Makes the tires stick out more.

CST
1. Upper a-arm dropped. Requires a lot of cutting of upper a-arm mounts and bump stop.
2. Must use centerlink assembly to drop down tie rod elevations to maintain stock geometry. Some say that this causes alignment to get out of wack easier due to more braketry at steering components?
3. Can't use idler/pitman arm braces?
4. Front track width stays the same, does not increase.
5. Stock knuckle is used.
6. Allows for longer dual shocks up front since upper a-arm is dropped (CST upper a-arm required)
7. Seems to be higher priced than other brands, just because of the name?
8. I didn't have very good customer service with them. Would not return multiple emails that ask questions about their products.
8. Usually increased install costs than knuckle lift due to bracket removal/grinding???9.
9. Allows for increased backspacing of wheels, stock backspacing. Keeps tires tucked in.

I am sure others will have comments on the above:D . Like I said, both are good kits, it just depends on what above items you are comfortable living with.

-NEL

Nels, that was great.enough said

duramaxed, to answer your question if you were to see the stock spindle/knuckle and the cognito its purty self explanatory which one is stronger.

Nels, that was great.enough said

duramaxed, to answer your question if you were to see the stock spindle/knuckle and the cognito its purty self explanatory which one is stronger.

Thats what I thought, thanks for confirming

I have both stock and Cognito spindles here if any whats to see them side by side??

I have both stock and Cognito spindles here if any whats to see them side by side??

I'd love to see them side by side.

I have both stock and Cognito spindles here if any whats to see them side by side??

Email em to me and ill watermark and post for you......

CST, and other that use the same type drop not only keeps the track width in check, it all so allows many more wheel choices. You can run a 5" off set whick also keeps the track width in check. The lifts that use the replacement spindle require a wheel with less off-set making the track (Front and back!) wider, while increasing the front track width with the spindle. So you may end up widiening the front track width some 4+ inches compared to going with a lift that uses drop brackets, and a wheel that has, say a 5 1/2" off-set.

Just something to think about.

If I were to lift my truck, I get a lift that uses stock spindles, and adds drop down brackets, due to the fact that I already have Hummer wheels with a 5.5" off-set. If you have your wheels picked out, you maybe better off checking to see what off-sets they offer before you fork out a ton of money on the lift. (It may not work!)

anyone having allignment issues that are running the CST kits?

why does everyone want a narrow track? a wider track will make the truck more stable the higher you go.

Because it's ugly not trying to affend anyones lift but in my opinon when lifting a truck that high looks usualy have somthing to do with it. Thats why I chose the FTS lift it uses drop brackets keeping geometry stock the way it should be. Just my $.02

Because it's ugly not trying to affend anyones lift but in my opinon when lifting a truck that high looks usualy have somthing to do with it. Thats why I chose the FTS lift it uses drop brackets keeping geometry stock the way it should be. Just my $.02
Not only is it fugly, you must add wider flairs to keep it legal. The tires throw boulders up against the side of the truck (Not too mention at other vehicles!) is another good reason to keep the tire tucked in where they're meant to be.

Not only is it fugly, you must add wider flairs to keep it legal. The tires throw boulders up against the side of the truck (Not too mention at other vehicles!) is another good reason to keep the tire tucked in where they're meant to be.

OK < OK<
The best thing about the off road after market world today is options. You have many. I'm not the first one to say this but you just need to start with if you want a spindle lift (wider) or drop down a-arms (stock width). From there pick the mfg. with the most upgrades and serviceable parts. When that is done check out there customer service. That can kill the whole excitement of you building your truck. Never think parts don't get shipped wrong or incomplete, will that company be there for you when you need your truck and its in a thousand pieces. RETURNS / DEFECTIVES / CREDITS. Ask before its a problem.

I have 30+ miles on my 6" CST lift with CST upper arms and uniball joints with absolutely zero problems including alignment. I am sure each vendor make a good kit, CST, Cognito, FTS all carry good reps as does the others. Personally like any vehicle you also have to decide what type of driver you are. Hard core ground and pound, occasional 4x4''r or the highway driver..... I love my lift and if I hadn't gotten it Cognito would be my second choice. I personally don't want my truck looking like a pre runner...

Pit

I have 30+ miles on my 6" CST lift with CST upper arms and uniball joints with absolutely zero problems including alignment. I am sure each vendor make a good kit, CST, Cognito, FTS all carry good reps as does the others. Personally like any vehicle you also have to decide what type of driver you are. Hard core ground and pound, occasional 4x4''r or the highway driver..... I love my lift and if I hadn't gotten it Cognito would be my second choice. I personally don't want my truck looking like a pre runner...

Pit
I would hope after just 30+ miles it is still ok! Unless you meant lots past 30, when you used the + sign.;)