ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: 2K1USGV on December 09, 2008, 10:19:31 PM

Title: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: 2K1USGV on December 09, 2008, 10:19:31 PM
Does anyone know howmuch wider the calmili control are is than the stock with a 2.5" spring lift? I'm guessing that the arm is longer so the track is wider, but wanted to know how much more does the wheel stik out on each side with the calimini control arm and a 2.5" lift vs a stock control arm with the same lift.
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: bzzr2 on December 11, 2008, 09:12:29 AM
what does calmini say when you call, whenever i've tried to get real details they won't tell me anything useful.  if the control arms actually create extra width how do all the other parts function?!?!  i think you still require spacers or offset rims to maintain track width....  please tell me i'm wrong with proof!
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: Yankee-Tim on December 11, 2008, 09:36:15 AM
Lordy, Lordy.

Gotta think of an arc.  Lift a Kick with stock arms, the arms ends will be closer together (side to side) than at stock height, resulting in a narrower track width from stock.

Use longer arms, then when lifted the ends will be same distance apart as stock at stock height, thus maintaining stock track width while lifted.

It's actually rather simple.
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: bzzr2 on December 11, 2008, 12:14:09 PM
This is not actual information though, just chatter about the concept, how about some measurements, so we can clearly understand the exact difference from stock to the calmini arm.
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: Yankee-Tim on December 11, 2008, 12:42:10 PM
This is not actual information though, just chatter about the concept, how about some measurements, so we can clearly understand the exact difference from stock to the calmini arm.

Ahh sooo, ancient chinese secret.

Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: bzzr2 on December 11, 2008, 02:28:07 PM
This will be my last waste of time post in this thread.  yankee tim, do you have useful info on this or just chatter?  it would be great if the actual specs were available for these parts.. a lot of people would appreciate knowing the real deal and you seem to be a big promoter of this kit.  maybe sharing real knowledge would get more people on board with this kit.....  we hear all the complaints about the parts so how about some real promoting of why this kit is oh so great.

can somebody that has this kit do any comparisons to a stock control arm?  and also to a stock tie rod end?
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: CG98x on December 15, 2008, 07:46:45 AM
The arms couldn't be much longer or the cv's wouldn't be long enough.
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: blacknight on December 15, 2008, 11:11:57 AM
The arms couldn't be much longer or the cv's wouldn't be long enough.

Their not. long long ago when I did my install I put the two side by side your talking may be at best 1/4" (If i rember right)  The point of the longer control arm is not only to keep track width but camber too.
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: Yankee-Tim on December 17, 2008, 10:11:53 AM
yankee tim, do you have useful info on this or just chatter? 

Me?  I'm not really that familiar with Suzuki trucks, but I do enjoy chatter. >:D

Quote
it would be great if the actual specs were available for these parts.. a lot of people would appreciate knowing the real deal and you seem to be a big promoter of this kit.  maybe sharing real knowledge would get more people on board with this kit...

One, even if I had the specs (not saying I do or don't), I wouldn't post it.  I like Calmini and consider Steve a friend, not a parts maker.  There are already issues with other companies making knock-offs of thier stuff.  Why help them along?

I will tell you this, the arms are slightly longer (emphisis on slight) and, as Blackkinght posted, designed to maintain correct camber at the lifted height.  Why would you need exact measurements?

I don't know how having manufacture specs will help influence one's purchase.  To me, proof is in the pudding.  Ask those who run the set up to see what they think and go from there.  I, for one, was very happy with my Calmini suspension system.
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: dentedzuk on December 19, 2008, 05:56:43 PM
wanted to know how much more does the wheel stik out on each side with the calimini control arm and a 2.5" lift vs a stock control arm with the same lift.
That's a hard one man.. not many people go over 1.5" without diff drops.  Wish I made note of the track with difference when I went from spacers to Cal's lift but I didn't.  I can tell you that when I had 1" spacers on at full lock my tire rubbed in the rear of the the tire well on the frame, and after the new control arms with no spacers it stopped rubbing the frame but it started rub the front of the control arm...  just can't win!
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: Jeremiah on December 20, 2008, 12:12:25 AM
I'd love to hear the measurements 'cause I'd like to make my own. All I want is the lower a-arm (not calmini's springs and other bits), but they won't sell the lower arms separate. Maybe I should just copy Mike Hagen, and figure out how to do a dual A-arm setup?


(http://www.zukiworld.com/month_050106/images/hagens_newbuild/small/16zup.jpg)
http://www.zukiworld.com/month_050106/feature_hagen-newfrontend.htm (http://www.zukiworld.com/month_050106/feature_hagen-newfrontend.htm)
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: bzzr2 on December 23, 2008, 07:02:20 AM
exact specs are not needed.  all that was needed was to know how much longer the arms actually are.  i'll assume the tie rod ends are similar in extra length. 
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: MBB77 on January 04, 2009, 02:39:42 AM
what is the exact length for that control arm?
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: Jeremiah on January 04, 2009, 10:26:33 AM
exact specs are not needed.  all that was needed was to know how much longer the arms actually are.  i'll assume the tie rod ends are similar in extra length. 

Does the Calmini kit come with longer TRE? I don't see why this is needed, but I don't understand steering geometry all that well.
Title: Re: Calmini Control Arm
Post by: olija on January 04, 2009, 11:27:00 AM
Yes, it comes with longer tie rod ends.