A shackle reverse system is one of the best upgrades one can install on any solid axle vehicle.....
The calminni system is a bit awkward, I recommend the warrior system. Lowrainge carries it.
The warrior system does not decrees your approach angle .
As to his drive line issues: any lift over 2 or 3 " can cause drive line angle issues. Johns geometry was wrong.....No offence John , Just a fact....
My recommendation parallels Johns. The OME's are a good product. You can expect 1.5" of lift with them, a nice ride , and if combined with the Warrior sr kit , Will vastly upgrade the drivability of your Zuke. Boath on and offroad...
As to the shock statements : You get what you pay for...... If you opt for a cheap shock of any brand , that's exactly what you get.
We build all our rigs around FOX shocks..... Expensive , yes , but well worth the money......Boxcar...
Boxcar, I disagree with you on my geometry being wrong with the SR. The only suspension mod was the Calmini SR and there was no adjustment for the caster angle with this bolt on kit. I even had a machinist look at my driveshaft to look see if it was the problem. Nope, it was the driveshaft angles. It's been 15 years, but I'm pretty sure that the u-joints were operating at 2 different angles.
Furthermore, I have not experienced the front driveshaft vibration problem with either the OME springs SPUA or the 3" RRO Deaver springs SPUA. I can drive either rig on a snowy road at 40mph in 4WD without any major front driveshaft vibrations.
Also, I've run the OMEs/Red Ryders/30' ATs for 10+ years with no problems-all across the US and even drove this setup on the German autobahn.
The Red Ryders are lightly valved, which make them perfect for the Samurai vs the fullsize truck shocks that most vendors try to sell with their SPUA kits. I've only had a problem with a couple of the Red Ryders, but they have a lifetime warranty. Most of mine are 10+ years old and still work fine.
I agree with you on the gearing though. A 4:1 case would be the minimum I would go with for larger tires.
Pictured below is the 3" Deaver Springs, 30" ATs, 4:1 case, 0.865 fifth and Red Ryder shocks. It does many of the trails around Oklahoma, cruises comfortably at 65mph, and handle winter snow duties with ease. Still has the stock 1300 engine and I will probably go back down to 235/75 tires when it comes time to replace them.