ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: pdasilva on January 24, 2005, 06:59:00 PM

Title: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: pdasilva on January 24, 2005, 06:59:00 PM
I wonder when this suspension kit will be available?Has anyone heard any news about this kit.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: track_this on January 24, 2005, 07:36:52 PM
dont hold your breath :-X

shane
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: mudfkr on January 24, 2005, 07:57:44 PM
"The most eagerly anticipated suspension product of the decade."

I'm Guessing about 8.5 years it should be hitting the market about then, if the proto type doesn't rust away in the mean time.  ;D

Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: tracker8wr on January 24, 2005, 11:51:02 PM
the first mention of this lift was 3 years ago the first post to thier website was 1 1/2 years ago so u be the judge. same with calmini SAS even longer.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 01:12:51 AM
Quote
the first mention of this lift was 3 years ago the first post to thier website was 1 1/2 years ago so u be the judge. same with calmini SAS even longer.


The only difference being that CALMINI could have production parts already but doesn't think anyone wants it.  But that discussion was already covered ad naseum in another thread.  Everyone would rather build their own setup.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Natebert on January 25, 2005, 02:00:39 AM
Quote


...  Everyone would rather build their own setup.


Would have rather purchased a kit, but I had no choice.

~Nate
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: brlj on January 25, 2005, 02:26:37 AM
Rocky Road also has offered a Lockrite for the front diff that has been "comming soon" for a few years now.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 02:26:59 AM
Quote


Would have rather purchased a kit, but I had no choice.

~Nate


....yeah, but how much would you pay for the setup on Erics knowing it has a CALMINI built front axle housing, etc.?
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: whitfield on January 25, 2005, 02:34:15 AM
I believe that their should be a happy medium.  Sell the kit in different forms.  Full on finished and a build it from our pieces (Cheaper more diys fab)  Not everyone can or will put $2500 in a Suspension system.  

I'd say give it about 2 year.  Once the price of the Sidekick based fleet comes down a little more their wheeling capibility will be forced to  increase 10 fold.  once the Buying market (CASH) is their then the parts will follow.  

Meanwhile Calmini will continue to make cool cutting edge for Nissans and RRO will build for Jeeps it is what pays their bills...
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Natebert on January 25, 2005, 03:13:48 AM
Quote


....yeah, but how much would you pay for the setup on Erics knowing it has a CALMINI built front axle housing, etc.?


Lets see.
I built my own for ~$5500 the first time.
I scrapped it because it wasn't strong/good enough.

I spent ~$2500 for FJ80 axles, + $1000 for new springs, right now and I'm in the middle of round two with about another $2000 to go to finish.

So I'm up to ~$9000-$11,000 so far, not including the MONTHS of my own time along with vehicle downtime and custom work.

I think I'd pay to have had it done right the first time.  But I surely DIDN'T do it myself because I thought that Calmini's was too expensive.  I did it because it just wasn't available and still isn't from anybody.

~Nate
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 03:37:48 AM
I was merely suggesting that most guys wouldn't pay for it.  Champagne taste on a beer budget I guess.  While the idea of offering numerous setups obviously allows for everyone to pick and choose, but with the little interest that is out there, why would CALMINI build the kit 5 different ways to sell 7 kits a year? The R&D time simply wouldn't be worth it.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Natebert on January 25, 2005, 03:42:23 AM
I think different 'upgrade' levels of the kit are a great idea.

That way people can get different levels of comitment with their own fab skills.  The problem then becomes that people will only buy the parts they think they can't fab themselves.

Would you buy the Calmini shocks/struts with their 3 inch suspension lift, when you can get your own (OME) which might suit your tastes better?

This is the same reason why you can't just buy their A-Arms and use your own springs and struts.  (which I think that they'd still make a killing on)

~Nate


Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 03:47:03 AM
The biggest issue I can see with them offering the individual parts is some guys will buy the arms, try to smash in an 8" lifted coil he took from a wrecked F250 out of the junkyard, then when the vehicle can't align or someother front end problem arises (cv, steering, etc.) it will become CALMINI's problem cause they may a "sucky"  part that doesn't work.  They design it as a system to work together.  It would be like leaving out the center section of a bridge you are building and then questioning why cars keep falling into the ravine below.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Natebert on January 25, 2005, 03:51:15 AM
Quote
I wonder when this suspension kit will be available?Has anyone heard any news about this kit.


Heather and I saw some pieces in person last March, but don't know if it's gotten any further.

~Nate
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 04:19:35 AM
Didn't that kit start 4-5 years ago? ???  I though I heard about a guy starting up that type of kit some time ago but can't think of name right now.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Bobzooki on January 25, 2005, 04:30:08 AM
I have the Rockfather suspension installed on my 4-door.  It gives me 32 inches of clearance, 46 inches of articulation, and allows me to drive straight up trees, usually to a height of at least 16 feet.  I'm running 44 inch tires, and 8.44:1 diffs, all on e-lockers.  With my 43 spline chromoly axles with neutronium CV's, I can run full power, wedged against a rock, at full droop, and it just climbs right up.  During testing, I drove up the outside of a 10-story building.

...and they all lived happily ever after, the end.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 04:38:20 AM
exactly ;D
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: mudfkr on January 25, 2005, 04:45:08 AM
Quote
I have the Rockfather suspension installed on my 4-door.  It gives me 32 inches of clearance, 46 inches of articulation, and allows me to drive straight up trees, usually to a height of at least 16 feet.  I'm running 44 inch tires, and 8.44:1 diffs, all on e-lockers.  With my 43 spline chromoly axles with neutronium CV's, I can run full power, wedged against a rock, at full droop, and it just climbs right up.  During testing, I drove up the outside of a 10-story building.

...and they all lived happily ever after, the end.


Got pix's ?  ;)
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 04:50:09 AM
The pics are still top secret...he should have them ready soon.  ;D
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Natebert on January 25, 2005, 05:14:41 AM
Quote
I have the Rockfather suspension installed on my 4-door.  It gives me 32 inches of clearance, 46 inches of articulation, and allows me to drive straight up trees, usually to a height of at least 16 feet.  I'm running 44 inch tires, and 8.44:1 diffs, all on e-lockers.  With my 43 spline chromoly axles with neutronium CV's, I can run full power, wedged against a rock, at full droop, and it just climbs right up.  During testing, I drove up the outside of a 10-story building.

...and they all lived happily ever after, the end.



*ROFLMAO*
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: DaddyDave on January 25, 2005, 05:44:56 AM
Quote
I have the Rockfather suspension installed on my 4-door.  It gives me 32 inches of clearance, 46 inches of articulation, and allows me to drive straight up trees, usually to a height of at least 16 feet.  I'm running 44 inch tires, and 8.44:1 diffs, all on e-lockers.  With my 43 spline chromoly axles with neutronium CV's, I can run full power, wedged against a rock, at full droop, and it just climbs right up.  During testing, I drove up the outside of a 10-story building.

...and they all lived happily ever after, the end.


REEEEPOST : http://ad-rag.com/114723.php
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: blacknight on January 25, 2005, 06:02:36 AM
(http://ad-rag.com/916cd15cca823cea154188c0add474d3/2004/octjpgs/scale.jpg) 8) ::)
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Rhinoman on January 25, 2005, 06:47:09 AM
Quote

This is the same reason why you can't just buy their A-Arms and use your own springs and struts.  (which I think that they'd still make a killing on)

~Nate


But your driveshafts wouldn't reach your diff  :P
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: hcgalvin on January 25, 2005, 07:25:01 AM
Quote


Got pix's ?  ;)



They're unobtainium.
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: hcgalvin on January 25, 2005, 07:25:57 AM
Quote
I have the Rockfather suspension installed on my 4-door.  It gives me 32 inches of clearance, 46 inches of articulation, and allows me to drive straight up trees, usually to a height of at least 16 feet.  I'm running 44 inch tires, and 8.44:1 diffs, all on e-lockers.  With my 43 spline chromoly axles with neutronium CV's, I can run full power, wedged against a rock, at full droop, and it just climbs right up.  During testing, I drove up the outside of a 10-story building.

...and they all lived happily ever after, the end.



Enough, Jake.

(I'm dying to see what he's got to show us in Moab.)
Title: Re: rocky road rockfather suspension
Post by: Natebert on January 25, 2005, 07:36:44 AM
Quote


But your driveshafts wouldn't reach your diff  :P


Why wouldn't they?