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Diff Drop Bracket Options

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Offline MKOLSEN22

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Diff Drop Bracket Options
« on: May 13, 2007, 06:45:09 PM »
I'm in the process of designing some front differential drop brackets for the Track-Kicks and just wanted some input from the group. 

First off the brackets that I am designing are different from what is currently available (or should I say not available seperatly  ie. Calmini). 

My question is this, would any one out there be interested in a 2" drop bracket as well as a 3" drop bracket?  With the design that I am working on either one would be fairly easy to make.  Just wondering what the interest would be in either size.

Let me know what you think.  Thanks!!

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Offline museboy07

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2007, 07:57:18 PM »
I bet tons of ppl would want them just cause you can't buy just them separetely anywhere...i would like a set too so i could make a custom lift
1994 Tracker, 2in Ironman springs w/ 1in spacers on top, soon to have custom diff drop brackets, 31x10.5-15 All Tarrains, Pro Comp long travel shocks, KYB performance struts, strut mount flip w/2in extensions, 3in rear a-arm spacer, ...DD

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Offline MKOLSEN22

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #2 on: May 13, 2007, 09:07:04 PM »
I bet tons of ppl would want them just cause you can't buy just them separetely anywhere...i would like a set too so i could make a custom lift

Sounds good, but what size would you be interested in?  Either the 2" or 3".  I'm trying to decide on which size to produce first.  Let me know.  Thanks!

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greenbeen

Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2007, 10:10:32 PM »
i would like 3" for me please. have four off road rigs that would enjoy these, thanks.

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Offline john1974

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2007, 07:44:52 AM »
2 inch and I would buy! ASAP!!!!!
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Offline crikeymike

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2007, 09:50:03 AM »
2" because any lower and it wouldn't clear my skid plates, and it would possibly get hit more often if i didn't have skids there.
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Offline MKOLSEN22

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2007, 07:22:59 PM »
Thanks for the responses.  I'm not going to make any promises on a time line because of my busy schedule, but I have had a chance to get 1/2 of the brackets drawn up so far.  It will probably go to the back burner untill the weekend again, but I plan to work on it some more come Saturday. 

I've got precious little time during the week because it all seems to be spent on my family, work and going back to college after a 12 year break.

I'll keep you up to date as I go.  If any one else is interested and has a preference on bracket size post up and let me know.

p.s.  These brackets are going to be laser cut and cnc bent in an effort to have a very nice and accurate piece when they are ready.  Thanks again!!

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Offline museboy07

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2007, 07:57:03 PM »
put me on the list for some 2inchers
1994 Tracker, 2in Ironman springs w/ 1in spacers on top, soon to have custom diff drop brackets, 31x10.5-15 All Tarrains, Pro Comp long travel shocks, KYB performance struts, strut mount flip w/2in extensions, 3in rear a-arm spacer, ...DD

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Offline Digger

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2007, 08:11:48 PM »
Well, if I have measured them right, the Calmini brackets for the 3" kit lower the diff approximately 2" at each end and around 1/2" or so at the crossmember while the brackets for the 2" kit lower the ends about 1" with the same 1/2" crossmember bracket...

My skidplate comes down from the bumper, trusses the front A-arm mounts and extends back to the front diff crossmember, bolted in at all 3 places(bumper, arm mounts and crossmember). I would only have room for about 1" lower brackets without having to re-work my skidplate. Any lower than about 1" and my diff would be hitting the skid. That said, I would suggest sticking with the 2" drop primarily and the 3" drop for more extreme custom lifts over 3-4", like if someone wanted to add coil spacers to their Calmini 3" kit...
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Offline MKOLSEN22

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2007, 08:54:24 PM »
Digger thanks for the measurements and the advice.  Also thanks for mentioning the Calmini approach for the rear/pinion mount.  I'll have to look into dealing with that critter as well.  Points well taken.

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Offline Digger

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #10 on: May 14, 2007, 09:02:32 PM »
The rear will only drop a certain amount before the crossmember that supports it gets in the way, that's probably why the rear/pinion mount doesn't drop very far. In the end, the front diff housing tilts forward/down a little more than stock when using the Calmini kit, but it pretty much has to to get the drop needed. I don't think it hurts anything to tilt it a little at any rate.
Had a cool sig pic till I changed the text... sigh...
90 Tracker: "Silver", 2" BL, 1-1/2" Coil Spacers, Strut mount flip, Calmini Header, Winch, 31" Swamper radials, Sold.
98 Suzuki X-90: Calmini 2" Sus, 1-1/4" whl spcrs, 2" Exhaust, Cobra Safari Bar, Neon, Sold.
96 Suzuki X-90: Mostly stock daily driver(for now)

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #11 on: May 15, 2007, 05:12:41 AM »
The measurements that I have taken agree with Digger's. I don't think 3" is practical the crossmember is in the way and any further rotation of the diff could cause problems with both the propshaft and the diff oil level.
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Offline crikeymike

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #12 on: May 15, 2007, 07:49:51 AM »
Here's an idea...

Would it be possible to incorporate the pinion mount "strap" idea into the rear lowering bracket.  If you have to redo the mount at the pinion end anyway, it seems like it would be worth doing it as strong as possible to help support the housing where the pinion tends to stress it out and break it.
1993 4-door Sidekick
3" hybrid Calmini/OME lift, 2" B/L, Rear air locker
Shrockworks bar & sliders, Full skid plates
4.24:1 t-case
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Offline bentparts

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #13 on: May 15, 2007, 02:07:08 PM »
That's exactly what I did when I made my diff lowering brackets. I'd previously made a diff "strap" to lock down the the output side ( or  Pinion side.) When I modified the crossmember mount for the diff, I modified the strap as well, and now incorporate all three, lowering brackets and strap. BTW, when I made my diff lowering brackets I also was limited as to how far I could lower it by the skid plate. Lowered, the diff clears the skid plate by about 1/4". Any further lowering IMO, would be counter productive as the diff becomes even more exposed to damage. Oh, one more thing, now that I've pretty much made my own 3" lift and finished it, I got a call from Calmini yesterday. You guessed it, after 11 weeks, the 3" lifts are back in stock. Woopee.
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Offline Quaddawg

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Re: Diff Drop Bracket Options
« Reply #14 on: May 15, 2007, 02:13:31 PM »
 I might be interested in 2" brackets if the price is right. I was going to make my own, but I would just as soon buy some ready made.
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