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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: wiretap_MD on December 17, 2006, 02:36:44 AM

Title: New mods: rear bumper and shock adaptor
Post by: wiretap_MD on December 17, 2006, 02:36:44 AM
Kindly refer to the links below...

Rear shock adaptor:  http://4x4ph.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8193 (http://4x4ph.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8193)

Rear bumper:  http://4x4ph.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8033 (http://4x4ph.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8033)

Thanks for visiting
Title: Re: New mods: rear bumper and shock adaptor
Post by: ack on December 17, 2006, 04:00:13 AM
Sorry, but I get an error trying to access those pages having to do with access priveledges...
Title: Re: New mods: rear bumper and shock adaptor
Post by: wiretap_MD on December 17, 2006, 07:39:35 AM
I needed to replace my rear shocks with something firmer than the Doeschtech prerunner shocks that came with the Calmini kit. With a full extension length of 22 inches, options were either shocks from a Crown Victoria or an E150 which had the same length. OME and Bilstein stock shocks were still too short to serve as a replacement.

A friend recommended the Bilstein 5125 offroad series which had the full extension length I wanted. The only problem was that it used an eye-type mounting for both ends.

An adaptor was then fabricated:

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Photo_120906_001.jpg)


 I needed to replace my rear shocks with something firmer than the Doeschtech prerunner shocks that came with the Calmini kit. With a full extension length of 22 inches, options were either shocks from a Crown Victoria or an E150 which had the same length. OME and Bilstein stock shocks were still too short to serve as a replacement.

Ronald of 199 recommended the Bilstein 5125 offroad series which had the full extension length I wanted. The only problem was that it used an eye-type mounting for both ends.

An adaptor was then fabricated:



It was an adaptor to convert the upper shock mounting to an eye-type. With this, it opens up the Vitara to more shock options than before.

Here's a picture comparing side by side my old doeschtech calmini shock with the Bilstein 5125:

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Photo_120906_002.jpg)

Pictures of the adaptor mounted:

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_3164.JPG)
(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_3166.JPG)

Shock boots were removed to prevent dirt accumulation. Here are the final pics of the adaptor and Bilsteins installed:

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_3162.JPG)
(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_3163.JPG)

On road, the Bilstein 5125s ride waaaaay better than my former shock. Firmer, better dampening, with less bounce and sway.

Title: Re: New mods: rear bumper and shock adaptor
Post by: wiretap_MD on December 17, 2006, 08:47:32 AM
Rear bumper with integrated Class 2 hitch receiver

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_30281.JPG)

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_3029.JPG)

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_3030.JPG)

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_3031.JPG)

(http://tsikot.yehey.com/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_3032.JPG)
Title: Re: New mods: rear bumper and shock adaptor
Post by: HotRod on December 17, 2006, 09:11:13 AM
Good looking rear bumper.
Teh one thing I do see is that running the other eyelites on the shocks
is they seem to shorten your shocks reach by 2 more inches.
But I like being able to run the shock bodys upside down.
Title: Re: New mods: rear bumper and shock adaptor
Post by: cj on December 17, 2006, 12:24:16 PM
Good looking rear bumper.
Teh one thing I do see is that running the other eyelites on the shocks
is they seem to shorten your shocks reach by 2 more inches.
But I like being able to run the shock bodys upside down.

It looks to me that with those shocks and the pin-eye adapter that the down travel available may be a touch more than the Calmini allows but without the specs on both shocks I can't tell if it makes any difference to the uptravel. I too have been looking at swapping to eye-eye shocks due to the larger range of options available.

That's a nice job with the rear bumper although I think a bit more angle on it by the rear wheelarch to open it up even more would have nice. A swingaway wheel carrier would have been nice too ... get that weight of the door.
Title: Re: New mods: rear bumper and shock adaptor
Post by: wiretap_MD on December 17, 2006, 05:33:03 PM
It looks to me that with those shocks and the pin-eye adapter that the down travel available may be a touch more than the Calmini allows but without the specs on both shocks I can't tell if it makes any difference to the uptravel.

Yup I agree but since I have a 1.5 inch coil spacer, that would compensate for it.