ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Autobot on January 30, 2005, 06:39:20 AM
-
I was wondering if anyone could give me some input as to the better choice for a lift kit between these two. I was originallly looking at the Calmini 3" kit and a body lift, but I noticed that Rocky Road offers their 4.5" combo kit for even less than the Calmini suspension kit alone.
Is the Calmini worth all the extra cash? Is the Rocky Road kit of lesser quality?
???
-
look at how the lifts r made. the 3" lift has alot more parts and gives alot more articulation and in my apinioni alot stronger. however the rocky-road body lift is the easiest to install. the rocky-road kit comes with:
OME springs, by far the best riding on the planet for your vehicle. Forget those stiff California sold springs! We have various spring rates available to really suit your vehicle's needs.
Longer OME struts for a true long travel front suspension. No cheesy strut spacers like other shops use.
Rear DT shocks for the smoothest riding shocks you can install on your vehicle.
Coil spacers front and rear for a full 2.5" lift.
the calmini lift comes with:
(http://www.puresuzuki.com/SK19900fs.jpg)
CALMINI does it right! We offer a system that truly improves every aspect of the vehicles off-road ability. Our system, using replacement control arms that create lift and ground clearance is the only way to go. Our exclusive longer control arms increase wheel travel, and maintain proper track width and wheel alignment. You can't do either with just a longer spring or weak coil spring spacer. Also, it's fully bolt-on. This is a full performance suspension system, not just a lift kit. Kit features our ultra high-strength tubular replacement control arms and 4 heavy-duty coil springs for maximum off road performance and chassis ground clearance. Heavy duty drop link arms included to position front axle housing properly. Our complete kit includes: CALMINI tubular control arms, 4 new lifted coil springs, front axle drop brackets, strut spacers, extended rear trailing arms, rear V-Bar with adjustable heim joint for extreme rear flex, CALMINI performance shocks, struts, polyurethane bushings, hardware, and complete instructions. This is the supreme off-road kit for your Sidekick or Tracker. Accept nothing but the best for your rig!
-
The RRO kit is probably a lot easier to install compared to the Calmini kit, but Calmini does make some quality stuff.
-
Is the Calmini worth all the extra cash?
Yes, every penny of it.
-
Yes, every penny of it.
And then some,
Because you can scrap their springs, their shocks and struts, and upgrade the heck out of them, well beyond what either manufacturer produces.
I wish they sold these kits in pieces. They'd rarely sell another spring, shock or strut again.
-
And then some,
Because you can scrap their springs, their shocks and struts, and upgrade the heck out of them, well beyond what either manufacturer produces. ÂÂ
I wish they sold these kits in pieces.  They'd rarely sell another spring, shock or strut again.
What he said. I've run both and if you want easy to fit and something as a daily driver and light trail work go with the OME kit but if you want to get the most out of it I'd suggest the Calmini 3" with the OME front struts. as a starting point then look in the Tech archives here for Mike Hagen's mods.
-
Thanks for the info everyone :)
What he said. I've run both and if you want easy to fit and something as a daily driver and light trail work go with the OME kit but if you want to get the most out of it I'd suggest the Calmini 3" with the OME front struts. as a starting point then look in the Tech archives here for Mike Hagen's mods.
Yea, I think I'm still leaning toward the Rocky Road kit. I'll still be using it as a daily driver, and easier install is definately better for me right now, at least untill I get the hang of everything. I can always upgrade in a year or so. I dunno, lol. So many choices! :P I won't be buying for another month or so (at least until it gets warmer here:) ), but I'm just trying to get my research done now.
-
One more thing, if you go the Rocky Road then get some camber bolts to correct the camber. The OME on it's own is fine but with the coil spacers you'll find the camber needs attending to. Also have a look at the thread on "ball joint drop" as this is a worthwhile consideration to let the rear work a little better. You could get even more out of the rear by using a longer travel shock if you need it. For offroad work removing the front swaybar helps. I was happy with my kit but now I'm pushing it further and felt the Calmini would let me take it further.
-
I was happy with my kit but now I'm pushing it further and felt the Calmini would let me take it further.
That and the fact you got a super cheap deal on yours ;) I emailed Seriajim straight after I saw him post that ad, you must be able type faster than me ;D
-
;D
-
I'm debating the same thing right now, but I'm leaning towards the Calmini lift primarily because I plan on keeping my tracker around and continueing to upgrade it for a long time. It will still be a daily driver so I would like a smooth ride on the road and I have heard stories of the stiff springs, shocks and struts from calmini. This thread seems to back that up as well. I have a heavier 4dr, does the calmini lift still ride really stiff with these, or is this mainly a problem on the 2dr?
-
The 4-door is a little heavier - not really that much.
I bugged the hell out of Steve Kramer for about a year and a half, and I finally got softer shocks from him.
-
Mine is the 4dr. I have an ARB winch bar and a 8000lb winch and OME struts upfront with my Calmini 3" and it rides fine just a little bodyroll due to removal of the swaybar. I actually find the srings softer than the OME I used to have on.
-
I assume the OME springs you thought were stiffer were the heavy duty springs to go with your ARB bar and winch?
-
Yep.
-
Just wanted to let you know that the rear shocks have changed from their original design and are a much softer valving than before (as Bob mentioned previously). Also we are working on a new front strut as well. Any questions, feel free to email or call.
CALMINI Products, Inc.
sales|removethispart|@calmini.com
-
I'm running Calmini's 2" Lift in my X-90 Daily Driver (1000 miles/week) and love it. It is 100% Calmini Kit (shocks, struts, etc...) and it rides as good or better than stock. For building an off-road vehicle though I would say go with their 3" Kit.
Zig
-
Kit also includes: new ball joints, heavy duty tie rod extensions w/ tie rod ends, rear track bar bracket, replacement front struts, rear shocks w/boots, bump stop extensions, strut spacers, complete hardware, and polyurethane bushings at all contact points
Any chance you will be getting rid of the strut spacers in favor of longer struts in the redesign?
-
Just wanted to let you know that the rear shocks have changed from their original design and are a much softer valving than before (as Bob mentioned previously).
I can't begin to tell you what an improvement this is! On the original shocks, with as light as the 2-door is in the rear, it was just brutal. Now, it's a great ride, even with the tires at 23 psi. I sometimes wheel with a Toyota club, and they can't believe the obstacles I clear on 31's, while they're battling them on 35's.