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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: adamd on December 11, 2004, 01:04:20 AM

Title: which lift kit?
Post by: adamd on December 11, 2004, 01:04:20 AM
Recommendations and info would greatly be appreciated!

Body lift... Rocky Road 2" or calmini 3"?

Susp lift Rocky Road 2.5 or Calmini 2" or Calmini 3"

It's my understanding that the highest susp lift you can safely go is 3" or Cv's start breaking.. I want this to be streetable, and I'll probably put 32's on it...

Adam
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: bioniconion on December 11, 2004, 01:24:24 AM
i was under the suspension debate for a whole 20 seconds until i read that rocky road is coming out with a 6inch suspension early next year for the track/kick. made my mind up REAL fast. they say ull need to weld a bit..but if u can't do it yourself then u can pay someone to do it fairly cheap  :)
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: wildgoody on December 11, 2004, 02:10:34 AM
Don't hold your breath, there
are lots of promises, but no parts.

I applied for the job of Engineering
designer, but I never got called back  :(

There have been several things in
the "works" for several years now,
I have yet to see more than what is
currently available.

I don't have an R and D budget,
and I get more stuff done  :P  if
I only had a R and D budget, I'd
get all sorts of trick stuff done  
8)

Wild
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: bioniconion on December 11, 2004, 03:48:33 AM
so pretty much get the 3inch lift calmini style  :-/
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: 1bigtracker on December 11, 2004, 05:56:58 AM
its all about buget.  if your on a tight buget, do a body lift and some coils spacers.  if you have a few G's to throw down then go for a Calmini 3+3.  32's with a calmini 3+3 with the right backspaced rim you wouldn't have to cut the fenders at all.  also looks nice when you don't have to cut the fenders.  i would recomened a heavy winch bumper and winch for the front and some Rancho shocks in the rear to smooth the kit out a little

stu
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: szabotage on December 11, 2004, 06:33:34 AM
got more time than money? cost me 30 bucks Canadian in steel to make my own SPOA kit including a knuckle over steering kit, helps if you got the right tools tho.

MIG welder
drill
sawzall or similar cutting device
and your standard wrenches n stuff

mike
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: 1bigtracker on December 11, 2004, 06:46:01 AM
Quote
got more time than money? cost me 30 bucks Canadian in steel to make my own SPOA kit including a knuckle over steering kit, helps if you got the right tools tho.

MIG welder
drill
sawzall or similar cutting device
and your standard wrenches n stuff

mike

i think he talking about IFS zuki's, but YOU CAN BUILD A SPOA FOR 30 BUCKs CANADIAN!  could you break that down for me?

stu
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: Chief on December 11, 2004, 06:58:42 AM
I had a buddy machine up some 2" spacers for me from nylon, then made some 2" strut spacers, then a spacer for the rear third link balljoint. All I need now is longer shocks in the rear, and to capture the rear coils so they don't pop out when I flex the rear.

Rides great, and will flex well when finished. I'm cuttin the F*** outta the wheel wells to fit 32's.
I'm also installing a 2wd tranny and a sammi t-case soon. Rear end is welded also.

All in all, when I am done, I think I'll have less then $2000 into the whole project, including the price of the tracker (1200).

I didn't really like anything I saw on the market lift wise, and I thought it was all way to pricey, so I gathered some tools and some friends and have slowly been piecing it together.
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: szabotage on December 11, 2004, 07:38:10 AM
this is a guesstimate of what it cost since I used scraps of metal lying around the shop to build it.

you can either buy the perches here locally for 2 bucks each or buy a length of 2x3 sq. tubing and cut/ notch it accordingly to fit the axles. lets say -$8.00

reused the old U bolts and hangers

swithced the hangers left to right to mount the shocks properly (although I suggest new shocks and relocating the shock mount tab lower onto the axle housing) and re drill the U bolt holes (left is different to the right) -$0.00

now for the hi-steer  bracket:

-1/2" thick x 1.5" wide x 8.5" long metal strapping (steering arm mounted to the king pin)
-section of a used sammi lower steering arm (part with the tie rod and adj. coupler, got mine from a narrow axled SJ I have for parts)
-and 1/4 thick strapping to mount off the brake caliper
cost of steel approx. $10

I don't wanna get into the details of how I built that but it was easier than it is to describe, if I had pics of it that would save me alot of time too

as for the rest of the misc parts like the brake lines, grade 8 stud for the knuckle over  that should top it off to about 30 bucks

front brake lines I got off the drivers side kick from my parts trucks yard but can be easily attainable at any wrecker for peanuts if you can get em off, rears can come off alot of jap vehicles out there I think mine came off my mazda 323 GTX and for the tapered hole to fit the tie rod end, I just cut off the one from my sammi, notched out a section from the 1/2 inch think strapping I had and welded it in.  

the part I cut off my sammi to be used for the hi-steer bracket left me with a stub so I fit the section of the sammi steering arm (the one with the coupler and tie rod) over the upper steering arm stub. it is a direct fit into each other so I just weld'er up  

I guess I forgot bout the tie rod section I cut off the SJ steering arm so that may add to the price list.

on top of that I also built my own dual shackles for an extra 1" of lift using the remaining scraps of metal strapping  but that's another story.

hope this helps and isn't too confusing to read :P
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: Mikerpm4x4 on December 12, 2004, 11:58:21 AM
Quote
Recommendations and info would greatly be appreciated!

Body lift... Rocky Road 2" or calmini 3"?

Susp lift Rocky Road 2.5 or Calmini 2" or Calmini 3"

It's my understanding that the highest susp lift you can safely go is 3" or Cv's start breaking.. I want this to be streetable, and I'll probably put 32's on it...

Adam



Id recomend going with the 2 inch calmini suspension cause it corrects camber and caster issues that are created with lifting IFS. As far as body lifts I could go either way. I hear the 2 inch is easier to install. You may need a little extra fender trimming with the 2 inch body lift though.  However if you go with the 3 ich calmini bodylift you leave yourself open for aftermarket things like rocker skids and bumper add ons. I wouldnt go with the Calmini 3 inch suspension unless you plan on adding bumpers, rollcage and trailgear right away. They tend to ride stiff without all the gear. So my recomendation is 2 inch suspension with 3 inch body.

Mike
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: adamd on December 12, 2004, 12:31:27 PM
Hey Mike, today I was wheeling with a local club and there was a sidekick there with 235/15's on a stock body and no susp mods... Does that mean I could run 31's with just the 3 inch body lift? Moneys tight and I will wait on the suspension for a little while, till summer. But I will get the body lift from Calmini. Just curious on how big a tire I can run...

Thanks!!

Adam
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: Digger on December 12, 2004, 12:45:00 PM
I'm currently running a 2" body lift with 1" coil spacers and 31x9.5x15" Swamper TSL's. I had to pound the floorboards back a little bit to clear them, but they work fine. I run 15x8" rims with 3.5" of backspacing...
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: Mikerpm4x4 on December 12, 2004, 12:45:08 PM
It would be tight. Mabey if you run a narrow wheel.

Mike
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: lil_Truck on December 12, 2004, 12:46:52 PM
Why don't you get the 3 inch body lift, put it on, go down to the tire store and see what fits.

My guess it with a little fender triming they will fit.
Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: adamd on December 12, 2004, 12:58:40 PM
Quote
I'm currently running a 2" body lift with 1" coil spacers and 31x9.5x15" Swamper TSL's. I had to pound the floorboards back a little bit to clear them, but they work fine. I run 15x8" rims with 3.5" of backspacing...



Coil spacers are considered susp lift right? Sorry sorta new at this... So yeah then with a 3" lift and the same coil spacers I shouldn't have a prob then...

Title: Re: which lift kit?
Post by: Digger on December 12, 2004, 01:08:39 PM
Coils spacers are sorta considered a suspension lift, but are really easy to install and are much less expensive than the other suspension lift options... I would say that with 1" spacers and a 3" body lift, you should clear 31s no problem... Just make sure you have enough room at the front of the floorboard...