ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: ZukkinMad on April 18, 2004, 11:56:13 AM
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I have a prob with my suspension, that has me querky. I find that my wheels get off the ground fairly regular, even when turning corners on pavement (prob driving to fast).
I have the calmini 2" lift kit with 1 1/8 coil spacers in the front and 2" in the rear. When offroading my wheels are always coming off the ground on some mild terrain making the kick feel tipsy.
Is there something that could be done to correct this prob like longer shocks? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Zukk
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My advice would be to buy lockers, and have fun putting on a show for everyone. That's why I liked my samurai. All my friends with jeeps loved watching me get 2, and every now and then 3, wheels in the air.
Brian
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That really puts my heart in my mouth especially when there is a 200ft drop on one side. ;D
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My guess is, The springs arent broken in yet and are a Lil stiff still.
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sway bar??? :-/ :-/
stu
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Even with lift, your shocks/strut can be too short. I'd measure the axle to frame distance (or coil height, shock length, tire to fender distance, etc) to find the static height. Then lift the frame with a floor jack till one tire, front or rear comes off the ground. Then remeasure the exact same location (if rear tire comes off ground, measure that only, no need to measure front, same if front comes off ground first). This will tell you your droop at that measured point. Then configure a better way to get more droop. Is your sway bar connected? Are the shackles pinching the bushings?
Do you know that the Sami has minimal droop due to the short length of the leafs and shackles? The shackles design is to lengthen the leaf during the suspension's cycle. Thus the expandable shackles work best for a cheap droop. Don't forget longer shocks, watch for brake line stretch, and ds being too short.
As for your comment about tippy. If you have a tire in the air, or a tire on the ground with 2' of suspension droop, tippiness feeling comes from your body's center of gravity wrt the vehicles center of gravity wrt to the vehicle's load on whatever axles/tire, etc. It won't matter either way. Try riding in one of your buddy's Jeep and get him to twist it up to lift a tire. You'll have the same feeling.
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You see what happens when I have too many sites/forums open. I was going with you having a Sami.
For a Trackick, sway bar for the front and rear (I think there was such a thing), bad bushings in the control arms (bind during suspension cycle), too short shock length, too short strut length are some common problems.
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I would say that you need longer shocks in the rear.
Are currently using the shocks that came with your Calmini kit?
Since you installed the coil spacers, it makes your truck sit higher on the shock stroke. This may be the reason for lifting tires. Your coils do nothing to make your truck flex better they just make your truck sit higher. The flex is wagered by the shock length.
You can also try removing the front sway bar that connects to your control arms. (there isn’t a rear one)
It will allow your control arms to move more freely since the sway bar ties them together.
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You have maxed out your downard travel of your Kit. With the spacers giving you the "extra lift" your vehicle is riding around close to it's travel limits. If you jack up the front notice and youll see that the suspension will barely drop as the vehicle is raised. That is why it's a 2" lift and not a 4" lift. The only thing I know to do to fix the problem is to remove the spacers or find some way to allow for more drop with out over extending or binding your CV shafts.
Zig
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I'm currently using the calmini shocks and struts that the kit came with. Any idea of what are some longer (travel) shocks i can try?
Zukk
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I think the RRO (BDS?) struts are a little longer than stock. On the rear the upper link on the 3rd. member is probably binding at that height. You can check this by putting your ride in jack stands with the rear tires off of the ground (the mount will be bound up at that point. Then stick a floor jack under the axle and see how far the axle raises before the vehicle starts to lift off of the stands. My guess, probably just a couple of inches. If that is your limiting factor you will need to fabricate a new mount. If it is not the problem check out Hagens axle rotation article in the Article Archives. If you do this it will open you up to being able to use bigger/longer shocks. If you dont want to do that try and order some of the shocks for their 3" lift. But I would bet the upper mount is causing your problem.
HTH,
Zig
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Zig Nailed it, you over did the lift, you want travel
not just lift, if you max out the lift to look cool like
the Chevy and Ford Pre-Runners all jacked up, you
loose your control, I learned this when I did the spring
only spacer lift and didn't relocate the struts and use
longer shocks in the rear. Travel is traction, and tires
on the ground.
Wild
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Zig Nailed it, you over did the lift, you want travel
not just lift, if you max out the lift to look cool like
the Chevy and Ford Pre-Runners all jacked up, you
loose your control, I learned this when I did the spring
only spacer lift and didn't relocate the struts and use
longer shocks in the rear.  Travel is traction, and tires
on the ground.
Wild
What brand/type of rear shocks are you running Wild??
Zukk
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Some $25 ea. Crown Victoria shocks
from AutoZone the VST flavor from
Gabrial (sp) I think, I like them so far,
not as much travel as the old Toyota
shocks but those are out of production.
Seems the 4x4 Van Toyota produced
is so rare that there is no need for the
replacement shocks :o I figured when
I got some from a Toyota I'd never have
to source another shock for the Kick >:(
Wild
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What brand/type of rear shocks are you running Wild??
Zukk
I dont think this is the answer. You should take the spacers back out so the kit can travel. Add a bodylift or fender trim for clearance.
My 2 Cents.