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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: DVHewitt on September 12, 2008, 01:24:39 PM

Title: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: DVHewitt on September 12, 2008, 01:24:39 PM
Good day to all
I like to ask you all about Calmini. As of today I have been waiting for a order from them just under $4000. It has been over 30 days and they will not tell me anything about the order. When I made the order I gave them my master card Number. Before you know it the card was charged the full amount.
So I emailed them asking I have my UPS numbers.
Calmini  What parts
Me,, the ones you charged on my CARD.
I will not tell you the rest because I have a hard time believing it all still.!!
It has been over 30 days and I have no parts they say I will be informed when they have all the parts and they are ready to be sent out.
When I made the order they informed me that all parts were in stock????
If so why is it taking so long to get any.
I think the person I was talking to is made because I made him give me my money back till all parts were ready to be shipped.

Is there a place in Canada that has a good name were I can get parts to make my tracker a grown up 4x4
Darren
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: lostsamurai on September 12, 2008, 04:39:30 PM
you should get all your stuff through www.lowrangeoffroad.com sean will take care of you he is located in utah but the problems he will save you from will be worth more than the shipping cost 8)
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Freak on September 12, 2008, 04:51:33 PM
I have used a few of the vendors and have had great luck with Low Range as well. I have read about troubles like yours with Calmini before and I hope it works out for you!
I am in Canada as well and we have Breeze industries and OTT in BC. I have had good luck with Breeze but I'm not sure if they do Tracker stuff.
Kevin's Off Road Extra's in North Vancouver is a great source for used parts and general information but for the most part we're left with our friends down south of us.

Good Luck
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: MUD CHILD on September 12, 2008, 05:08:04 PM
I have bought a lot of stuff for my kick through NORTH SHORE OFF ROAN in Vancouver. The can get all the calmini products as well. Talk to Will in the Internet department he knows his stuff. The also ship for free on purchases over $200.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Rodzilla on September 12, 2008, 06:49:23 PM
I'm a Canadian living in Costa Rica and have always had great service with Sean at Lowrange. You wont go wrong ordering through him. And anytime I spoke or had tryed dealing with Calmini directly I was never pleased.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Hellpit101 on September 12, 2008, 07:15:10 PM
+1 more for Sean |removethispart|@ Lowrangeoffroad
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: phloop on September 12, 2008, 08:08:42 PM
Sorry to say it but you fell victim to the newbie syndrome. You find your first Zuki and google Zuki parts and the first ones that pop up are cal mini and rro. You order you goodies and then find a Zuki forum to find out why you have been fighting for so many months to get your parts.

Not sure how to do it but go too your card company, explain that you ordered your stuff on what ever date you did. You were charged the next day or when ever it was and you have yet to receive any product from them 30 days+ later even after numerous calls. They may be able to help get your money back.

Then call the BBB, it will not be the first time they have dealt with this.


After you have dealt with this head ache check out the sponsers here and else where like ZOR, TT, Low Range Off Road, and the like.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Cuthulu on September 12, 2008, 08:54:15 PM
I tried to order the roof rack and was told it was in stock.  Same thing as you, I went with a chargeback.  It will get you your money back alot faster, they can't fight one without proof that they have provided the product.  Also their merchant bank keeps track of thinngs like that I can assure you.

Still makes me sad, I really like that roof rack design.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: DVHewitt on September 13, 2008, 08:47:38 AM
I did get my money back I emailed them Master Card rules and informed them about Canada's laws  about this kind of things. Calmini paid back my master card the next day. thank you for the info I will try low range off road.

 Have any you tried www.zukination.com/home.htm for parts. I was thinking doing a road trip and get him to install his 4.5 ‘Alter Ego’ Extreme and take home anything that looks good.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: lostsamurai on September 13, 2008, 01:25:39 PM
plus if you drive down here sean will personally adjust your idle at no charge :laugh:
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: derekj on September 14, 2008, 05:43:17 PM
Hey Darren,

National 4wd stocks most of the Calmini stuff for the Kick's. I ordered a few things from Zukination as well for my truck. Still waiting to hear some more feedback on his 4.5" kit before taking the plunge. Where in Canada do you live?

Derek
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: bzzr2 on September 15, 2008, 09:02:19 AM
spoke with a guy running the 4.5 zukination lift at suzican this year, he was very happy with his lift and the way it worked, didn't run the trail he ran that day but the guys who did said the truck work very well..
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: RJkick on September 15, 2008, 01:39:31 PM
If you can wait a bit this could be good

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=22423.0
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Beauoffroad on September 16, 2008, 05:40:05 AM
I am soooo glad you posted this discussion.  I am just starting to build an 88 Sami and was going to order some items from Calamini.  I like the 6.5 gear set.  Anybody have any comments on the product?  I looks like other similar ratio gears require some alteration grinding inside the transfer case.  I don't like the idea of weakening an already light case.  I do like the Calamini gear set so I'll contact Low Range and see if they plan to get it back into stock? 

Carl 
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: lil_Truck on September 16, 2008, 10:46:08 AM
Calmini product is very good.  Happy with all that I have gotten from them.

Timing, not so good.  The last time I ordered something from them (a rear bumper and anvil) it took about 6 months.  They called and asked if I still wanted what I ordered.  I cancled the bumper but got the anvil.

As for service, the only time I called I talked to Steve the owner and he was helpful.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Drone637 on September 16, 2008, 01:01:31 PM
I am soooo glad you posted this discussion.  I am just starting to build an 88 Sami and was going to order some items from Calamini.  I like the 6.5 gear set.  Anybody have any comments on the product?  I looks like other similar ratio gears require some alteration grinding inside the transfer case.  I don't like the idea of weakening an already light case.  I do like the Calamini gear set so I'll contact Low Range and see if they plan to get it back into stock? 

Carl 

All the 6.5 kits require grinding on the inside of the case.  It's not to bad though, and is quite easy to do.  I run the Trail Tough gears in mine and have never had a problem with them.  Make sure you get some stronger transfer case mounts though.  The lower gear ratios put a bit more strain on the stock ones then they can handle.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: lostsamurai on September 16, 2008, 05:09:29 PM
I am soooo glad you posted this discussion.  I am just starting to build an 88 Sami and was going to order some items from Calamini.  I like the 6.5 gear set.  Anybody have any comments on the product?  I looks like other similar ratio gears require some alteration grinding inside the transfer case.  I don't like the idea of weakening an already light case.  I do like the Calamini gear set so I'll contact Low Range and see if they plan to get it back into stock? 

Carl 

you have to grind the case its not very much, but i belive it does weaken the case you MUST upgrade your t case mounts MUST not just because you WILL tear them to pieces but your t case will tear in half i went with rocky roads kung foo t case mount passenger side (driver not avail) and have broke 2 cases right in half gears falling out on the ground. i recommend the mighty kong from trail tough and possiblt strapping over the case to hold it in the mount as an extra precaution
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: 91zukisas on September 18, 2008, 05:46:31 AM
I do think Calmini is a good company, but to me it seams like they are more focused on Nissan's now more than Suzuki's.
You could try going to Boondox motorsports.
They have a nice sas lift coming soon. It's a fully bolt on kit too.
There are some pics of it on the how to section
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Drone637 on September 18, 2008, 10:59:32 AM
you have to grind the case its not very much, but i belive it does weaken the case you MUST upgrade your t case mounts MUST not just because you WILL tear them to pieces but your t case will tear in half i went with rocky roads kung foo t case mount passenger side (driver not avail) and have broke 2 cases right in half gears falling out on the ground. i recommend the mighty kong from trail tough and possiblt strapping over the case to hold it in the mount as an extra precaution

Make sure you use Lock Tight on the mounting bolts for your transfer case.  They have a habit of working loose, then allowing the transfer case to flex and break.  That is what happened to mine.  Well, the rock probably didn't help...

Another issue that will happen is the twisting of the passenger side transfer case mount.  One simple way to fix this is pull it off and weld a piece of angle iron or square stock to the inside of the bend.  This will get rid of the flex and help solidify your drive train.  Of course, this will put more strain on your stock rubber mounts, making an upgrade even more important.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: lostsamurai on September 18, 2008, 05:17:42 PM
my mounts were a kit from rocky road the nuts are nyloc they did not loosen instead they ripped through the "high performance lifetime warranty rubber bushings" and then folded the paper thin washer and sucked clean through the mounting holes after my drivers side bracket folded in half the the entire case proceeded to flip up slamming into the floor of my zuk thus cracking the case in half and the center gear fell out on the ground! im told this has never happened to anyone :laugh: i guess my 37's are hard to turn ::) i drilled out all the holes to 1/2" and swapped hardware out but not before
welding some 1/4" plate to all my frame mounts and gusseting the drivers side mount with 1/4" flat steel in the shape of a "T"  i guess that will work for now it really needs a strap going over the top of the case and attaching to the mounts thus holding it down :-\
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Drone637 on September 18, 2008, 05:25:18 PM
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/Drone637/SB-tcY71mQI/AAAAAAAAAqg/WYqf997XqP8/s288/Image054.jpg)

That was the one that I could find.  :D  Simple fix is to just get some larger high quality washers.  That way they don't dig into the bushings.  I would have liked a little tougher poly but since I switched washers it hasn't mattered.  I also built a kong style bracket that connects the two mounting brackets.  This way when I drop my t-case on things the brackets take the brunt instead of the case itself.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: jstrong89 on September 22, 2008, 12:53:36 PM
I ordered a Calmini cam for my sidekick and luckily I took it to a local machine shop before I installed it, because they put a micrometer on it and found it had much less lift then advertised and even had less lift than my factory cam.  I called them and they said they outsource the production of that camshaft and had no idea what happened.  I returned it and put my stock one back in.
Title: Re: Calmini(Good or Bad)
Post by: Cuthulu on September 22, 2008, 09:12:29 PM
I ordered a Calmini cam for my sidekick and luckily I took it to a local machine shop before I installed it, because they put a micrometer on it and found it had much less lift then advertised and even had less lift than my factory cam.  I called them and they said they outsource the production of that camshaft and had no idea what happened.  I returned it and put my stock one back in.


Man, thats alot of work for no gain on someone elses mistake.