Trailmaster Vs. Superlift : Info On Both
Many people don't really know the difference between the two kits. To be honest, they have small differences, but they both reach the same goal. The biggest draw back of the Trailmaster kit is that it does not use a full-blown spindle, it uses only a spacer. Superlift, on the other hand, uses a full spindle, which both kits achieve the upper control arm at the same angle (close to stock). I've taken pictures of my Trailmaster kit on my truck to show some differences between the Superlift and Trailmaster kits!
Superlift Front Side Suspension:
Trailmaster Front Side Suspension:
Trailmaster Front Crossmember:
You can see how the Trailmaster kit maintains the origional spindle, and uses drop down brackets for the rack and pinion. Some say the drop down brackets are cheesy and somewhat pitiful, but I have expierenced no problems. If you look at the actual rack and pinion, on the Superlift kit you can see the horrible angle that the kit puts on the rack. The Trailmaster kit doesn't put the strain on the rack and pinion! I think Trailmaster did a great job on that part. The crossmembers are different, but they serve the same purpose and get the same job done!
Trailmaster Upper Control Arm/Spindle Spacer:
This is Trailmasters flaw. This is used on the Explorer and Ranger kits that they put out for these years vehicles, and they haven't had any problems with them, but people find them to be not as reliable as a full spindle like Superlifts. I couldn't find a picture of the Superlift spindle, but it's basically just a full spindle to connect the lower control arm to the upper control arm (like factory).
Superlift Rear Suspension:
I have the Superlift rear suspension on my truck (except shocks), because I modded the Trailmaster Ranger kit to fit on mine. Anyway, the Superlift and Trailmater rears are the same: Huge drop down brackets for the sway bar, 4" leaf springs, and all the bushings.
Trailmaster Drop Down Brackets:
Crossmember and DANA 35-IFS Brackets:
Torsion Bar Brackets, and Tranmission Brackets:
The Superlift and Trailmaster setups are very similar. Besides the spindle and the rack and pinion, the kits are pretty much the same. In my opinion, the Superlift kit is the better of the two. The Trailmaster kit came out first, which in turn, gives Superlift the advantage to fix Trailmasters flaw (i.e. spindle setup). I give both companies thumbs up!
-Drew