ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: MUD CHILD on August 22, 2008, 11:09:33 AM
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I have searched a lot of the old threads but I'm still am not finding what I want to know(conflicting opinions in the threads) I would like to put OME struts in my 2 door with the 3" calmini suspension lift. First question is... part # OME951 is this the right strut for my application(2 door)? Second question What do I do with my strut spacer? I have read that 1) you reuse it, 2) that you take it out, 3) that you take it out and do a strut mount flip, and 4) that you do the flip and reuse the strut spacer. So.... which one is it? Any info from people that have done this mod would be appreciated
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I have a 4dr but am interested as well
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I don't remember my strut number but I think that 951 is the right number. The OME strut is the same length as the Calmini strut with the extention on it. So what you decide to do to create more strut length is up to you but I have mine with the mount is back in the original position.
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I don't know the part number I used, but the OME strut worked great on mine (ALOT SMOOTHER RIDE). I initially installed it in the 'stock' 3" lift form... strut mount drop in it's instructed position. The strut is a little longer but gave me no issues. Then I continued to use it when I did the hagen widening and added spring spacers... and they still worked fine. And they outlast the other struts under abuse.
Zig
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I've had to remove my strut spacers because the CVs were maxxing out.
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There's conflict 'cause there's several ways it can be done. Just depends on what you're looking for.
Conservative CV setup:
Just run the OME lift stock. It gives 1.5" of lift.
Aggressive CV setup:
Run OME lift
Add spring spacers
Run strut mount flip (MUCH stronger) or strut extension (less reliable, but can be done)
I like staying as low to the ground as I can get for a given tire. So my recommendation - if you don't NEED the extra lift of the spacers - don't run it. Rock buggies are LOW to the ground for a reason.
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Jeremiah... I already have a 3" calmini suspension lift installed I was just wondering what OME strut to install (part#) for a 2 door and I wanted to know if I should remove the strut spacer that I have installed from the calmini kit, because I have read that the ome strut is 2.5" longer. That strut with a 3" calmini spacer may cause the cv's to bind under droop
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The OME strut is 1.5" longer than a stock strut. There are conflicting opinions but I always say to try it for yourself so that you know what works on your truck. I had to replace a CV boot so I assembled the driveshaft with all the grease washed out and no boots fitted. Then I fitted the OME strut with the Calmini spacer, let the wheel drop fully and swung it through its full arc of travel. I could see that the CV was maxing out so I removed the spacer.
I also noticed that with the Calmini kit the CVs don't go fully back in the cups when the suspension is compressed. If you do the stub axle conversion and space the shafts correctly then it should be possible to run the OME struts and the Calmini strut spacers.
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I did not think about that... Rhinoman is correct. I was running the Calmini Anvil with the Hagen Maxima shafts (deeper CV cups that Kick).
With the OME struts giving 1.5" of drop...
You could add the new OME struts (1.5 " of drop) and flip your factory upper strut mount (2" of drop). That would give you a total of 3.5" of drop compared to the Calmini 3" kits 3" drop bracket. You should have no issues with an extra 1/2" of drop.
Zig
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Jeremiah... I already have a 3" calmini suspension lift installed I was just wondering what OME strut to install (part#) for a 2 door and I wanted to know if I should remove the strut spacer that I have installed from the calmini kit, because I have read that the ome strut is 2.5" longer. That strut with a 3" calmini spacer may cause the cv's to bind under droop
So, you want to run calmini springs and OME struts? I wouldn't do that. The struts & springs won't match, and without the softer OME springs, the strut is a waste of $$$.
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Jeremiah... I already have a 3" calmini suspension lift installed I was just wondering what OME strut to install (part#) for a 2 door and I wanted to know if I should remove the strut spacer that I have installed from the calmini kit, because I have read that the ome strut is 2.5" longer. That strut with a 3" calmini spacer may cause the cv's to bind under droop
So, you want to run calmini springs and OME struts? I wouldn't do that. The struts & springs won't match, and without the softer OME springs, the strut is a waste of $$$.
I have heard of quite a few people running the OME struts with the calmini 3" suspension lift, and not one has anything bad to say about it. Most say it's the best thing they have ever done. I'm not sure I understand why you think running a OME strut and a calmini coil won't work
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You could add the new OME struts (1.5 " of drop) and flip your factory upper strut mount (2" of drop). That would give you a total of 3.5" of drop compared to the Calmini 3" kits 3" drop bracket. You should have no issues with an extra 1/2" of drop.
Zig
I need to take some pics of this stuff and post them up here. The Calmini strut spacer is only 2" and the strut mount flip only gives 3/4" extra drop. So the OME struts and strut mount flip would give 1/4" more travel than the Calmini set up which should be OK.
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Rhinoman,
With my vehicle (and 3" kit) on the other side of the states form me I have no way to check but I'm almost positive the drop is 3". Either way, I tried the 3" kits drop bracket and kept the upper mount inverted when I first installed the 3" kit and it overextended stock CV's every time at full droop :P . I did not do it intentionally, just in a hurry on the install and forgot to flip it back over. Oh well, live and learn. I will see if I can find mount pics.
Mudchild,
I ran the Calmini supplied struts for years and when I spent the extra money for the OME struts I never went back. The OME are more durable under abuse and ride MUCH better on and off road. I never even considered the other struts again after trying out the OME.
Zig
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(http://www.izook.com/tech/tracker/3inchtrackkick/images/image035.jpg)
My bad, that does look like 2" not 3". BTW that pic is how NOT to install the factory mount to the Calmini supplied drop bracket :P
Zig
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I have heard of quite a few people running the OME struts with the calmini 3" suspension lift, and not one has anything bad to say about it. Most say it's the best thing they have ever done. I'm not sure I understand why you think running a OME strut and a calmini coil won't work
The people that have run OME springs vs Calimini springs say it's a night and day difference. The Calmini springs (supposedly) don't last as long either. The only time I have heard of people liking the Calmini springs is if they have a heavy front end (Bull bumper, winch or both) to settle down the stiffness of the Calmini setup. Otherwise, they seem to be happy with the lift, but not the stiffness of the ride.
There's LOTS of options mix & matching the kits. I run pure OME, but would love to get some Calmini arms. I've been in a truck with Calmini - there's big difference between how each performs. My OME kit is MUCH better. That extra 3" of travel makes a difference. In my opinion (and I'm sure there's plenty of others out there) buying the OME strut, and not spending the extra for the matching springs is money poorly spent. It's what - like $70 for OME springs? If you can't afford it, look into Ford Ranger springs - they're closer to the OME than the Calmini's.
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I have heard of quite a few people running the OME struts with the calmini 3" suspension lift, and not one has anything bad to say about it. Most say it's the best thing they have ever done. I'm not sure I understand why you think running a OME strut and a calmini coil won't work
The people that have run OME springs vs Calimini springs say it's a night and day difference. The Calmini springs (supposedly) don't last as long either. The only time I have heard of people liking the Calmini springs is if they have a heavy front end (Bull bumper, winch or both) to settle down the stiffness of the Calmini setup. Otherwise, they seem to be happy with the lift, but not the stiffness of the ride.
There's LOTS of options mix & matching the kits. I run pure OME, but would love to get some Calmini arms. I've been in a truck with Calmini - there's big difference between how each performs. My OME kit is MUCH better. That extra 3" of travel makes a difference. In my opinion (and I'm sure there's plenty of others out there) buying the OME strut, and not spending the extra for the matching springs is money poorly spent. It's what - like $70 for OME springs? If you can't afford it, look into Ford Ranger springs - they're closer to the OME than the Calmini's.
The OME springs would be to short for my application, to get the 3" of lift out of them you need to need to run a spring spacer. I am running a 3" lift spring with a spacer already to correct ride height. With the OME spring I would have to run a large spring spacer to get the ride height back to wear it is now, so I'm thinking that buying a spring that is too short to start with and stacking a huge coil spacer on top of it is money poorly spent. I have also read on OME web site that there struts work well with ALL springs, they only recommend there springs but they are NOT necessary
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You could also send a note to Rockrat, rock4xfabricationinc|removethispart|@comcast.net, he is building a 7" suspension lift for the Sidekick enthusiast. He is a fabricator and may have some insight into a better spring tall enough for your application or you could get a spring shop to build some for you.