ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: wildgoody on January 21, 2006, 11:28:33 PM
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I'll be getting the steel on Monday, He
is going to start machining as soon as
I get it to him.
They are going to be 2-1/2" long to work
with the spring spacers that are available
from Digger.
I'm starting with 5 sets and I asked him
how much, trying to get the cost at about
$50 for the pair, but he said he would have
to see how long it takes to turn them out
This might be a prototype pair to start and
have them CNC mass produced to reduce
costs as well as increase production #s
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I'm on the list!
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are these for the older models, 89 and up? i could use a set.
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They'd work for all of them, 89-05. They can all use the same shocks.
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oh sweet!! same thing i had in mind then ,, my buddy has a huge water cutter was going to get him to cut some for me ..
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So does 2 1/2" of steel make 1 1/2" of extension to the struts? That's the size of Digger's spacers right? If so I'm in.
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No, 2-1/2" of length, the front is a compound
ratio, 2" at the spring is 3" at the wheel, but
the CVs can't take 3" without moving the axle
housing down, so 2-1/2" it is for CV life
Also, no upper mount flip is needed with these
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So if with these extensions give you 3" at the wheel, do you need 3"spacers on the back and longer shocks to match?
I would be interested in a set. And the spring spacers to go with.
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Yes, here is my recommended list,
this one done for tracker_guy
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=10316.msg99079#msg99079
Wild
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Hey wild, I only want like an extension for a lift that is going to be 2" at the wheel. Think your buddy can accomodate that?
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I second AJM's request. I'm a little concerned that the 99+ model's can't go quite as far as the sidekicks. They haven't been beaten on as much, and Calmini only does 2.5" instead of a 3". So what do you think, do you want to keep them all of the same size or can we get some made that aren't quite as long?
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I was going for max lift, but the change is
not a problem, it will be available either length
if that's what you want, I'll have him turn out a
set of 2-1/2" tonight, these are for my brother,
and a set of 2" after that, how many people think
the 2" is better suited for their rig ???
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I'm in for 2". I'll be sending you an PM shortly.
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I'm not interested, but I think 2" is better for the cv's
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also interested in 2 inch extension, even 1.5 inches might work better for my plans if that's a possibility.
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Update,
I got the steel today, chromoly
4140 should be nice and strong
1.5" is too short, not enough steel
in that length to keep the strength
2" is as short as they can be made
and keep product integrity
Sorry
Wild
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I'd go for whatever is necessary for a 2" lift. I'm less worried about max extension with it than having it too long and bottoming the shaft out on compression.
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No, 2-1/2" of length, the front is a compound
ratio, 2" at the spring is 3" at the wheel, but
the CVs can't take 3" without moving the axle
housing down, so 2-1/2" it is for CV life
Also, no upper mount flip is needed with these
Ok, I did not read this post carefully enough. The 2.5" strut spacer helps the CV's when there is a 2" spring spacer. If you get 3" lift at the wheel on the front, since you have a straight axle in the rear, will a 2" spring spacer in the rear only give you 2" at the wheel? meaning you will need a 3" spacer in the rear to match the 3" of lift at the wheel in the front? I know the crown vic shocks are 1.5" longer, but are they long enough for a 3" lift?
My rear is slightly higher than the front, but I like it that way, because when I fill the thing with people and junk, the hitch hits more on the trail, so maybe the rear squats with added weight.
Thanks
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since you have a straight axle in the rear, will a 2"
spring spacer in the rear only give you 2" at the wheel?
Yes, the rear is a 1:1 lift ratio
I know the crown vic shocks are 1.5" longer,
but are they long enough for a 3" lift?
Yes, unlike the lift spacers at the springs, the
shocks are inboard, which creates a ratio of
the movement, I have 3" rear spring spacers
in the rear, and I run Crown Vic shocks, at full
droop, the spring is just loose enough to move
(rattle) around
You want 2-1/2" front strut extensions to match
your rear, and keep the rear slightly higher
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Ok so is it really that easy to get 3" of suspension lift? what about that thingy-ma -bob that hangs on to the top of the rear diff? can that handle the lift? In your other post you said 2" lift for about $150. That would be the same for 3" of lift? Amazing! :D
I know you wont get the same results as the calmini super articulation 3" suspension lift, but this is way less money.
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what about that thingy-ma -bob that hangs on to
the top of the rear diff? can that handle the lift?
It's really at it's limit with 3" in the rear, I built a rear
upper A-arm spacer to get the LSPV to work correctly.
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It's really at it's limit with 3" in the rear, I built a rear
upper A-arm spacer to get the LSPV to work correctly.
Do you have a picture of that?
whats a LSPV?
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LSPV is the load sensing proportioning valve, not
all came with it, I belive the models with ABS do not
have this
Here is the rear A-arm spacer, it also rotates the axle for
bigger tire clearance and better driveshaft angle
(http://wildcatent.freeyellow.com/rear-spacer.jpg)
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ok, i'm still interested in the 2inch extensions
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Just for everyone's info about the coil spacers;
The cost of the material has risen dramatically. Almost double what I started out paying for it. Because of this it has started to become not financially worth it anymore for me to sell them for the cheap price I had on them before. Also Sky has now invested in a poly machine, so they can actually make them cheaper than I can now. I only have a couple sets left and they are going to be listed on ebay. Once they are gone, I'm probably not going to be making any more unless the price of UHMW comes back down.
If anyone is interested, I plan on making at least one custom 2" set that would include two 1-1/2" spacers for the front and four 1" spacers for the rear(2 per side, screwed together to make a solid 2" spacer for each side). This would lift the vehicle at least 2" all around, would make good use of the strut spacers spoken of in this thread and would work well with the Crown Vic shocks. The cost of this custom spacer set from me would be $80 shipped for the spacers, rear rubber isolator centering rings and full instructions. You would have to get your own strut spacers/extensions and shocks.
Like I said, I'm almost out and done making them, so if anyone is interested, let me know asap! SnakebiteEMS|removethispart|@hotmail.com
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Aww man Digger, I hoped this would
boost your spacer business :( I have
been posting for people to contact you
for their spacer needs.
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I really do appreciate it, it's just the price of the material is going up so high so fast that I would have to start charging the same as the name brand places just to come out ahead at all. If I can find a cheaper place to get the material from, I will, but until then I am going to have to slow down for a while...
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I still have a bunch of spring spacers & strut spacers avalible if you guys are not going to be making them . stan
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dumb question here// so if you put these strut spacers in does it give you more lift or does it just give the strut more travel? just wondering cuz i just finished putting diggers 1.5 spacers in and got it all aligned and all that fun stuff.. just don't reallt want to do it again if i don't have to..lol( ::))
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Hey Wild, what kind of suspension and tires are you running. Do you have these extensions on your kick or are you running OME's or a strut flip? Alos, got any pics? The only pics of the turbo Kick I've seen are the underhood shots on your web page and your icon.
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The Strut extensions will add 2-2.5" to both the compressed and extended length of your struts. So it does not actually give you any lift or additional travel (the struts still travel 6.5"), but with coil spacers and larger tires you can't compress your struts all the way anymore, so your usuable travel is only 4-4.5". Since you can now compress the struts all (or most of) the way and they extend further, you have now regained the lost travel.
Another nice effect (even if you don't care about the travel) is that it recenters the struts so they are at the balanced position in the middle of the compressed and extended range. Since struts are often (always??? :-\) valved differently in the different ranges of motion this is a good thing.
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I have a different setup, made from
easily cut and welded flat steel, But
I also have a 3" front spacer, no strut
mount flip, and 2" spring spacers (steel)
and 3" rear spacers with Crown Vic shocks
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Hey Wild,
Any progress on these?
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I would like a set of the 2".
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I need to get an old strut up to the guy so he can
make sure the threads are going to fit right, He's
waiting on me, I've been busy, my bad, sorry
I'll get it up to him tonight
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LSPV is the load sensing proportioning valve, not
all came with it, I belive the models with ABS do not
have this
Here is the rear A-arm spacer, it also rotates the axle for
bigger tire clearance and better driveshaft angle
([url]http://wildcatent.freeyellow.com/rear-spacer.jpg[/url])
a nice little part there
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LSPV is the load sensing proportioning valve, not
all came with it, I belive the models with ABS do not
have this
Here is the rear A-arm spacer, it also rotates the axle for
bigger tire clearance and better driveshaft angle
([url]http://wildcatent.freeyellow.com/rear-spacer.jpg[/url])
Are you planning on building these spacers?
a nice little part there
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Ya, I have all the sizes for the steel.
Problem is I don't have access to the
drill press I used to use, and my big
problem is I don't have a garage, so I
can't work a little here and a litle there,
I have to borrow space, and that's not
allways available, this is one reason it
takes me so long to get stuff done.
I was going to have these cut and holes
punched and just do the final welding,
I think price is going to be about $80,
steel has gone crazy, and prices reflect
that. Will include the upper bolts and nuts,
you use the stock bolts on the bottom
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LSPV is the load sensing proportioning valve, not
all came with it, I belive the models with ABS do not
have this
Here is the rear A-arm spacer, it also rotates the axle for
bigger tire clearance and better driveshaft angle
([url]http://wildcatent.freeyellow.com/rear-spacer.jpg[/url])
Are you planning on building these spacers?
a nice little part there
If I had a trackick or something with 3 link I would consider making spacers like that
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Ya, I have all the sizes for the steel.
Problem is I don't have access to the
drill press I used to use, and my big
problem is I don't have a garage, so I
can't work a little here and a litle there,
I have to borrow space, and that's not
allways available, this is one reason it
takes me so long to get stuff done.
I was going to have these cut and holes
punched and just do the final welding,
I think price is going to be about $80,
steel has gone crazy, and prices reflect
that. Will include the upper bolts and nuts,
you use the stock bolts on the bottom
if you have the specs on the parts you need, I can cut and punch them.  I could build the complete part if you can sell them.
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Ya, I think we have about 10 people here that wanted them,
I just was going to pay a local steel company to do the cut
and punching, which drives the cost up
Where are you Troy ?
I'll check your BIO too
I have web space, I'm going to be setting up these parts
for sale with a PayPal click button and have parts waiting
and available for shipping, I've wanted to have several
products available for a while now, but no shop space :P
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I am in Oklahoma. Look at our website. we have a few things for zuks
http://designsofsteel.com/
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Cool, lots of stuff, a nice mix for all
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thanks,
We are working on tracker stuff now.
Here are a few shots of our rocker guards and one of our winch bumper.
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Wild, I have a budy that does CNC work when you get a proto type I can put you in touch with him he is always looking for more work.
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Anybody had a problem with these? The person selling me my lift kit says they're junk and suggests another route. Says a buddy had a set break on him offroad. He's over a month late on delivering my lift so I don't know how much to put into his opinion on this so far. :P
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Well, these are going to get made, at least in
prototype for now, it's been about 2 hours machine
time, and the threaded end isn't finished yet.
I can't beat the $60/Pair that BDS was it ?
was selling these for, unless CNC can turn them out
faster or cheeper.
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I'm still interested, just let us know how they do. I'd buy from BDS pretty fast but hey, you guys are fellow Zukers.
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is there any intrest in this type of strut spacer?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/sikid_01/DSC04591.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/sikid_01/DSC04591.jpg
I could build these easily out of 1/4", powdercoated, with hardware for around $75.00.
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You Tracker/Kick guys could use those but myself, Maroon, and Maplebar would have a problem with those. We'd have to mess with our strut tower brace that goes across the engine bay.
The lift I'm getting...sometime soon :P...eventually...wants us to use those and then to make the angles work you have to cut your brace in half, cut out an inch, and then weld it back together. I'd rather use the strut extensions and never even have to touch the brace.
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what if the top and bottom plates were offset?
What is your application?
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Can you post a closeup of the strut tower brace?
I can't think of a reason those wouldn't work.
The solid one here is the first thing I built, I have
another type that I like better, but they semed to
take too long to build, but now with the machine
time approaching half a day a pair for the strut
extensions, I might rethink them
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what if the top and bottom plates were offset?
What is your application?
99-05 GV's, XL7's, and Trackers with the strut tower brace going across the engine bay.
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is there any intrest in this type of strut spacer?
([url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/sikid_01/DSC04591.jpg[/url])
[url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/sikid_01/DSC04591.jpg[/url]
I could build these easily out of 1/4", powdercoated, with hardware for around $75.00.
Take some flat plate to sandwich the Trackick upper mount onto the Vitara upper mount. The Vitara model is secured to the frame mount and also holds the upper strut bar. It is also ~2.5" larger in diameter in comparison to the Trackick upper mount. By doing this, you'll be lowering the upper strut point by 2" or so.
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what if the top and bottom plates were offset?
What is your application?
With the 99+ GV, Tracker and XL7 the problem is that the top of the upper mount for the strut is also the mount for the strut brace. I don't think you could offset the extension for the uppert mount, there would be problems going through the fender and aligning the struts correctly. You also need an extension for the strut brace anyways, this could be offset so you don't have to cut up the brace.
Below are pics of the upper mount and an offset extension for the strut brace that I have seen. I think the strut brace is on a GV with a lift and bodylift so it is dropped a ways below the fender.
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Take some flat plate to sandwich the Trackick upper mount onto the Vitara upper mount. The Vitara model is secured to the frame mount and also holds the upper strut bar. It is also ~2.5" larger in diameter in comparison to the Trackick upper mount. By doing this, you'll be lowering the upper strut point by 2" or so.
I remember seeing this suggested by you before. Did you ever do it? Last I remeber your front end wasn't lifted.
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The solid one here is the first thing I built, I have
another type that I like better, but they semed to
take too long to build, but now with the machine
time approaching half a day a pair for the strut
extensions, I might rethink them
Wild, so are these extension not happening anymore? Thanks
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what if the top and bottom plates were offset?
What is your application?
With the 99+ GV, Tracker and XL7 the problem is that the top of the upper mount for the strut is also the mount for the strut brace. I don't think you could offset the extension for the uppert mount, there would be problems going through the fender and aligning the struts correctly. You also need an extension for the strut brace anyways, this could be offset so you don't have to cut up the brace.ÂÂ
Below are pics of the upper mount and an offset extension for the strut brace that I have seen. I think the strut brace is on a GV with a lift and bodylift so it is dropped a ways below the fender.
You might want to have a look at this.
http://forum.difflock.com/discus/messages/8/140631.html?1138648788
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I'll have at least one pair, I don't know how
long total it's going to take to machine, so
I wouldn't count on these being available
in quantity, this was a test to see how they
would come out and if they could be mass produced]]
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Thanks for looking into this Wild, I will probably figure something else out since I want to get my lift installed soon. I hope it works out for you, since it seems like such a nice setup. I would happily point people your way if you do mass produce it.
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You might want to have a look at this.
[url]http://forum.difflock.com/discus/messages/8/140631.html?1138648788[/url]
An interesting setup, but I can't see how they are addressing the strut brace.
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Sounds like my lift is on my way so I might just see about getting the BDS extensions myself. I'll still be paying attention and another Track/Kick is in the works so I will likely be on the market again.
I kinda feel like these strut rod extensions are the best fix available right now without cutting, welding, or having to get into complex angles and figer'in' :P Far beyond me.
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(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/2175000-2175999/2175091_14_full.jpg)
Okay, got my extensions today. $44 delivered with taxes so your should be similar. According to BDS the part number FSE3 is for a PAIR, not a single extension.
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i'm really interested to see how those extensions work out.  i think 44bucks is a lot better than new struts from OME - pricewise. i've installed my spacers from jdmcrx and am happy with them after putting 1000km or so with them installed.  i've done some offroading and the increased clearance has been nice, with all the snow and crap up here....  unsure how the articulation has been affected yet though.  haven't done any proper wheeling.   also interested to see what kind of aligment issues you have after installing your lift, are you going with 1.5inch front coil spacers?  camber bolts were not sufficient and my alignment shop said they wouldn't even bother trying them.
cheers
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Yep, going with JDMCRX's lift. Yes I am planning on going with camber bolts. Dunno what your alignment shop's issue with them is as many people have used them successfully in the past. Did they give a reason? A lot of shops know a lot less fact and a lot more mumbo-jumbo than they think or will let you know. Did yours ever align?
The OME struts would give better overall performance and travel but hell, these are less than a seventh the cost. :P
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the only camber bolts that i could get my hands on were ingall (not sure about the spelling there), 35 bucks each and supposed to be good for 2 degrees of adjustment, i was out way more than that. the shop ovalized the holes and used the factory bolts and things are holding in place well. check with jdmcrx about his alignment, i believe he went the same route after having the camber bolts break, again see what he says..
one thing for sure, if you are happy with the bds extensions i'll be next in line to install on my ZR2! the less bling i spend on this the better.
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I am super happy with my BDS extentions..
I used their camber bolts too.. but I wasn't too impressed with them.. they look mighty weak.. but they did bring my camber back inline.. I have 2" longer springs in front... so my lift is a bit more than 2".
I used the BDS Struts too.. but I don't really recommend them. They are just your garden variety Gabriel Ultras, revalved for off road applications (supposedly) and priced DOUBLE what a Gabriel would cost you a NAPA or the Zone... But, to tell you the truth.. I can't notice any difference.. but then, I crawl around, I don't rally the thing.. For simple trail riding/mud, etc.. I recommend a good set of stock struts, and BDS extentions with a longer coil, or if you must.. a coil spacer (YUK) If you are just putting spacers on, don't bother with good struts.. it's a waste of time, as you have already taken any ride or handling out with the spacers..
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I rode in my friend's 4 door kick with rocky road 1-1/8th" spacers and because he took out his sway bar it rode like my stock GV with no sway bar.. I haven't driven it so all I have is the passenger prospective but you know.
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Okay, got my extensions today. $44 delivered with taxes so your should be similar. According to BDS the part number FSE3 is for a PAIR, not a single extension.
Ah crap!!! My supplier said they were sold individually so I should have 2 pairs coming in today. If I can't get the shop to refund me for one of them is anybody interested in it?
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Ya, I'll take them
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where or who do i contact about getting some of the strut extentions? phone, website i can order from etc.
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Here is the BDS suspension system.
http://www.bds-suspension.com/suspensionsystems_2suzuki.html
Click on the BDS Distributor link to find a place to buy them. (BDS only sells through their distributors)
The strut extensions are part # FSE3
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if the fit is right on your zr2 i'd really like to take the extra pair off your hands... lemme know.
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where or who do i contact about getting some of the strut extentions? phone, website i can order from etc.
On a lark, I stopped by the local specialty truck store (Chux Trux) where the Pickup Cowboys get their bigtime lifts. Turns out they are a BDS dealer and can get the extensions. So I imagne nearly all the specialty truck shops carry or can get BDS...
Natually, Maplebar's post is the best idea as there is a searchable list of dealers on the BDS website.