ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ppltrak on August 28, 2008, 05:35:30 PM
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Ups guy came buy today and brought me these. I think that they will work out good. They are 16" 3"ID and 550ppi. The Calmini springs are 14 3/4" long and I ran a 1 .1/8" spacer on top of that. I have been running OME springs and alot of spacer and I like the ride and they are 540ppi so I thought 550ppi would workout fine.
Kevin
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Where did you pick up the coils from?
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Where and roughly what did they run?
Are you thinking about the rear springs as well?
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Those look wicked!!! I'm going to order a set of them for myself as well
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I'll hopfully get them in this weekend and let you know how they work before any ordering of more coils :)
Kevin
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Mud child order them at 14" because I need to cut them down. I just spent an hour w/ spring compressers and couldn't fit them. I'll cut them down to 15" and try on tues. I'll keep U posted.
Kevin
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Mud child order them at 14" because I need to cut them down. I just spent an hour w/ spring compressers and couldn't fit them. I'll cut them down to 15" and try on tues. I'll keep U posted.
Kevin
Thanks for the heads up! Try taking the bottom ball joint off at the control arm and then put the spring in and use a floor jack under the control arm and jack it up till you can get the ball joint bolted up. If it to tight also use a spring compressor on the spring at the same time.
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If you cut them down the spring rate will increase.
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I'll just cut the closed end and 1/2 of a coil. they should still be OK in the ppi rate.
Kevin
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What brand of spring are they and where did you order them form??
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Yes Please share! Many of us are looking for a different source for front coils!
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http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/ These guys carry 3"ID coils for a decent price
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:) Great Link, Thanks Biker! BTW, I ride too, 88 FLHS.
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So if the Calmini 3" front springs are 14 3/4" tall...if you order 14" springs, with the factory 450 ppi rate, you should essentially gain 2-2 1/2" of lift right? For $75 a spring, that isn't a bad price if this will work...
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Did you get the springs in? how does it ride? The wire diameter of the new spring looks quite a bit thicker that the calmini spring.
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So if the Calmini 3" front springs are 14 3/4" tall...if you order 14" springs, with the factory 450 ppi rate, you should essentially gain 2-2 1/2" of lift right? For $75 a spring, that isn't a bad price if this will work...
I think he miss typed. His first post said they were 16" not 14 because you can't cut down 14" to get 15".
I am also very interested in how they came out and all that. I have my Calimini springs with 1 1/2" spacers and would like to get rid of the spacer but keep the height.
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The front springs are a bigger diameter than the Calmini ones, will they clear the brake caliper? I know of a few people who have had brake failure because the spring pushed the brake caliper across. The brakes will pump back up but sometimes you don't have time or you don't realise what happened. I understood that the Calmini springs were a higher rate than the stock springs so if the coils are stock rate and 3/4" shorter than the Calmini ones you will get a fair bit less lift. I don't want to sound critical but I'm interested in this too, just wondering.
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Well I got the springs installed today. I had to cut them down a 1/2 inch so that I had a pigtail to fit into the a-arm. With that said the ride height is at the top of the struts IE no down travel. They hopefully will settle down some because right now I can hardly push the kick down in the front. ??? Rhinoman the springs arn't much wider than the Calmini springs and I already rub the caliper sometimes, but I expect it. I might try and cut another 1/4 revolution out of the springs and hope that they will help with the lever action on the stiff ride. The are 550 ppi and the OME ones are 540ppi so I don't get why thy're so stiff. Oh by the way the Calmini spring is a dual rate spring 380ppi to a 580ppi.
Later,
Kevin
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I think he miss typed. His first post said they were 16" not 14 because you can't cut down 14" to get 15".
I am also very interested in how they came out and all that. I have my Calimini springs with 1 1/2" spacers and would like to get rid of the spacer but keep the height.
Well, the ones he ordered were 16"...You can see that they are around 1.5" bigger than the Calmini's he was running before. I just have a theory that since the Calmini's are 14.75" tall and w/ say 450-500ppi, I would think this will be ideal for a 2-2.25" of lift and a good ride/flex. Not to sure though since the wire diameter is different...this adds another kink in the theory because different diameters will flex/compress/sag/fatigue differently...even though they may have the same spring rate. This is interesting, and I think it may work...now the issue with the overall diameter and brake calipers presents a problem ::)
Well I got the springs installed today. I had to cut them down a 1/2 inch so that I had a pigtail to fit into the a-arm. With that said the ride height is at the top of the struts IE no down travel. They hopefully will settle down some because right now I can hardly push the kick down in the front. ??? Rhinoman the springs arn't much wider than the Calmini springs and I already rub the caliper sometimes, but I expect it. I might try and cut another 1/4 revolution out of the springs and hope that they will help with the lever action on the stiff ride. The are 550 ppi and the OME ones are 540ppi so I don't get why thy're so stiff. Oh by the way the Calmini spring is a dual rate spring 380ppi to a 580ppi.
Later,
Kevin
Couldn't you run a strut spacer (if you are already, couldn't you make longer ones?)
FYI, be careful turning down the outside dia. of the springs...they're probably heat treated/or treated in a way in order to maintain the spring rate once formed...turning them down, even if its overall a 1/4", will effect the integrity of the spring :o
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The are 550 ppi and the OME ones are 540ppi so I don't get why thy're so stiff. Oh by the way the Calmini spring is a dual rate spring 380ppi to a 580ppi.
OK I see now. In that pic the Calmini ones don't look progressively wound.
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Only the first 1" is softer then mine go to 520ppi and the same goes for the rear which after 1" go to 202ppi.
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ppltrak ... could you take a pic of them installed in your kick, would like to see how they sit in there. As well as a side view so we can see your ride height.
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OK I'll get some pics soon. I ended up cutting about 1.5 inches off and reinstalled them they are great now the ride is very good. If I were to do it again I would order them in 14" length and run a 3/4" rubber spacer.
Kevin
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OK I'll get some pics soon. I ended up cutting about 1.5 inches off and reinstalled them they are great now the ride is very good. If I were to do it again I would order them in 14" length and run a 3/4" rubber spacer.
Kevin
If you run a 14" spring with a 3/4" spacer that is the same length as a Calmini coil, so you would not be gaining any lift. I'm not trying to be an ass I just want to get this all figured out before I order my springs. Stock 2 doors have a front spring rate of 450 and The 4 doors are 500. Do you find the 550 a little stiff? I was thinking of running a 500 rated spring. Here is a pic of a 3" calmini coil I took when I had them out they are almost 15' long
CLICK ON PIC TO MAKE IT LARGER
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The problem is that the Calmini spring sags due to the low side of the dual rate. I have widened the front and have 2.75" backspaced wheels which has more leverage on the spring. I hope that helps.
Kevin
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The problem is that the Calmini spring sags due to the low side of the dual rate. I have widened the front and have 2.75" backspaced wheels which has more leverage on the spring. I hope that helps.
Kevin
I am running 2.5" backspaced wheel on mine, How does it ride now? Is it a little stiff? I think I am going to go with the 500ppi spring rate. How bad is it rubbing on the caliper?
Ryan
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The ride is way better. You should try some OME 540ppi coils and then see. I think 500ppi might be too soft w/ 2.5bs wheels.
Kevin
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Here is some pics with them installed and some of my rear end :-[
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My rear :-[
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That looks good, nice to see a little room between each coil unlike the calmini springs the are almost coil bound when the truck is sitting level. Time for me to order some new springs, thanks for you help and pics. BTW nice job on the rear links
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Looks good, I'm doing the same to my rear links, actually decided to just build some. BTW, that's some serious angle on your front cv's, can't imagine you have much if any front droop.
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It's on a lift in the coil pics ;)
Kevin
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I run the calmini 6" kit and i cant stand how stiff it is my fronts are bound up all the time my wheels are back spaced 2.5" and i have the heavy duty calmini front bumper. im not sure what to try i would like a much softer spring but im afraid it will just compress completly, i also plan to add a winch. right now its so stiff if i hit a speed bump i take the risk of shattering my tail bone and compressing my vertabreas :laugh:
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Hey Lost, my springs were stiff too but after awhile they gave up the ghost. Try and cycle them completely a few times.
Kevin
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Yeah, My Calmini's ( all 3 sets!) started out stiff, softened up nicely after awhile, gave a good ride and ride height for about 6 months, then began to sag and droop. I keep haaveing to add larger spacers to compensate. Like to foin out where you got those heavy duty coils ppltrak. Thanks.
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The ones I got were from a company in Las Vegas called FOA shocks. They make race and crawler shocks I just used there 3" ID coils. Just do a search for 3" coils there are more and more company's building them these days.
Kevin
PS they are for coil over shocks
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So how do the springs ride, I have needed an upgrade for a while now.
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The new springs ride GREAT I should have done this awhile ago.
Kevin
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On a related note. Anyone know the length and spring rate of the rear Calmini 3" springs?
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14.75" long and a dual spring rate 380ppi and 580ppi.
Kevin
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14.75" long and a dual spring rate 380ppi and 580ppi.
Kevin
Are you sure? I mean, they don't 'look' dual rate...
-Eric
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"14.75" long and a dual spring rate 380ppi and 580ppi."
Thats what you said the front were on page 1.
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Oh sorry I thought he was talking about the front :-[
Kevin
I'll rate the rear soon
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Yes it was the rears I was curious about :)
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???
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Oh sorry I thought he was talking about the front :-[
Kevin
I'll rate the rear soon
Have you had any chance to meassure the rear yet?
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The rear coils are 14.5" long I havent got a chance to rate them yet
Kevin
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The rear coils are 14.5" long I havent got a chance to rate them yet
Kevin
Thank you :) I really apriciate this help. Interesting, the 2" calmini coils are 14" long. If you have the time I would love to know how many coils each coil has, and the diameter of the spring steel.
I'm trying to pice together my own lift from various car springs and an old Calmini 2" kit.
The springs I consider for the rear is 15,5" long but it has a sligtly thicker coils than my 2" calmini ones, so Iäm a bit worried that they will be to stiff, but then again the lwb is sagging in the rear right now.
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I just got my new springs from FOA yesterday, now to find the time to put them in. I'm also going to put some OME struts in at the same time. I'll keep you guys posted on how it turns out.
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What rate and length?
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I got the same ones as you 16x550
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Here is some pics with them installed and some of my rear end :-[
that poor CV joint!
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Hutch that pic is with the kick on a lift. It looks alot better on the ground. It jumps real nice now ;)
Kevin
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looking forward to it!
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I just got my new springs from FOA yesterday, now to find the time to put them in. I'm also going to put some OME struts in at the same time. I'll keep you guys posted on how it turns out.
Have you lowered your diff? What is your tire size? And, ground clearance at frame?
Thanks
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Have you lowered your diff? What is your tire size? And, ground clearance at frame?
Thanks
I have a 3" calmini suslension lift, so yes there are 3" drop brackets installed. I am running 32x9.50 Super Swamper TSL'S. Not sure of the clearance at the frame I haven't measured it since I put the springs in. I will measure under the front cross member and let you know
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Hows the ride? Got any pics?
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Hows the ride? Got any pics?
It rides better than ever!!!!!
Here are a couple pics of it in action this past weekend
click on pictures to make them larger
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Looks Great MUD CHILD!
I have the same suspension set up ( OME Struts / Calmini 3x3) and was looking to do the same thing with new springs. Just a few questions about your rig and such, because I want to get it right the first time. Is your front end widened? Did you have to cut anything off of the 16" springs? How much? Any additional info would be great...
Thanks.
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Looks Great MUD CHILD!
I have the same suspension set up ( OME Struts / Calmini 3x3) and was looking to do the same thing with new springs. Just a few questions about your rig and such, because I want to get it right the first time. Is your front end widened? Did you have to cut anything off of the 16" springs? How much? Any additional info would be great...
Thanks.
I like the way you think, ask questions and do it right the first time. No my front end is not widened, I cut 1 3/4" off of the springs, this brought my truck up 2" from where it was sitting with the calmini coils. It rides like a different truck after installing the OME struts and new springs. The cv angles are fine I played quite hard this past weekend and was very happy with the front end. I am running 2 1/2" backspaced rims on my rig, it will make a difference on you rim backspacing as to how your truck will ride. If you have any more questions just let me know
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Thanks for the response, good information MUD CHILD.
My set up is almost identical to yours. I also run 32x9.50 Super Swamper TSL'S, but with Heavy Duty Eaton 3 inch backspaced wheels. I figure I can cut the same amount off the coil as you have done. I'm using the Calmini winch bumper, and I see you are running something a little lighter, so that should make up the difference. Additionally, I've got two Maxima shafts sitting here. So I'm going to fabricate up some new front axle shafts for a little more articulation. Again many thanks. Can't wait to get rid of my spring spacer.
Again thanks.
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Keep us posted as to how it works for you and how you like it. As far as the cv's go even at full droop they are not running excessive angle I personally think they are fine the way they are
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Works good doesn't it! I like the new coils alot.
Kevin
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Works good doesn't it! I like the new coils alot.
Kevin
Yep it's like night and day!!!
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This needs a bump.
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I'm a noobie so I just sit back and try to learn from all of your comments and questions. I noticed in this give-and-take that twice it was mentioned that the writer was glad to be able to eliminate their spring spacers! COMMENT? kody
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I'm a noobie so I just sit back and try to learn from all of your comments and questions. I noticed in this give-and-take that twice it was mentioned that the writer was glad to be able to eliminate their spring spacers! COMMENT? kody
The ride with a coil lift is a marked improvement over running with a coil spacer. But you can't beat the spacers on lift for your dollar. :)
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Tracker Sidekick 2dr Convertable
452.8 PPI Front 156.5 PPI Rear
Tracker Sidekick 4-dr
508.7PPI Front 177.9 PPI Rear
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I'm a noobie so I just sit back and try to learn from all of your comments and questions. I noticed in this give-and-take that twice it was mentioned that the writer was glad to be able to eliminate their spring spacers! COMMENT? kody
I would think that the load is carried by more coils 20 as aposed to 15. With that there will be less chance coil bind.
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this thread delivers :)
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You think 600LB would be tomuch for a 2door hard top with TT winch bumper and 8K winch.
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I have rode in ppltrak's kick with the 550s... I think he had to cut a couple coils off to get em to fit which does raise the rate slightly.. either way it worked pretty damn good and we beat the snot out of it one night and it was smoooth.. faster you went the smother it was..
depending on length and backspacing on the wheel I think you could get the 600s to work but I would probably start with the 550s...
that was more like $.03
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I think he had to cut a couple coils off to get em to fit which does raise the rate slightly
I've seen/read this stated manytimes, but don't understand why it should be so...
Spring rate is measured as the force (measured in pounds) it takes to compress the spring a given distance (measured in inches) - the free length of the spring never enters the equation.
Also a check of Old Man EMU's catalogues will reveal that the difference between OME's light, medium & heavy (coil) springs for any given vehicle, lies not in the spring rate, but in the free length, with the light spring having the shortest free length.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
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If some one was going to buy a new Calmini kit and then wanted to run these springs what would be the magic number if you didnt want to cut the spring?
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15 1/2 is the lenth of spring that is needed max, but they only come in 15 and 16 no half sizes. The 600 Lb springs i found on craigs list for 60 bucks thats why i was thinking of runnin them.
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These coils do not fit in the stock coil bucket correctly. I do make a coil adaptor for them. Here's a link with some pics and info http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/technical-discussion-performance-modify/fixing-calmini's-saggy-front-spring/ (http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/technical-discussion-performance-modify/fixing-calmini's-saggy-front-spring/)
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what springs?
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what springs?
The FOA coil springs
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Ok I think im catching on. In order for this to work you will need spacers and cut a new spring? What about the rear?