ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: 92Sidekick4x4 on January 09, 2004, 04:08:58 PM
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Hi
i did a search on these and i couldnt find anything on them.
For a while i thauhgt that calmini where the only ones who make a suspension lift (thats any good) http://www.bds-suspension.com/suspensionsystems_2suzuki.html that is the link to it it is the BDS 2" suspension lift. has anybody used one of these.
i know that BDS is a good company because my brother has one in his ford ranger. So if anybody knows anything about these for sidekicks please let me know.
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http://www.bds-suspension.com/pride_joy136.html
i have the lift and i like it
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/302365/8
the lift was in 2 hr
http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=offroadsuzuki&Number=1117803&page=&view=&sb=&o=&fpart=all&vc=1
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there is no body lift in there is there?
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no
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what do ther mc phearson struts actually do? did you pay 500 for that small lift?
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what do ther mc phearson struts actually do? did you pay 500 for that small lift?
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I'm thinking of getting this too, doesn't look too bad, just all depends on the cost of it. Andrew
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The struts are a fancy shock that acts as support for the front tires. There's a "A" frame member at the bottom and the strut for the top.
It replaces the upper "A" control arms on older style trucks. It combines two pieces into one. So you can make the vehicles smaller and lighter weight.
Where our zukes are different from front wheel drive cars. Is that the cars also combine the spring with the struts. As where our springs are between the frame and lower control arm. It's a stronger design and gives us the ability for different springs and control arms.
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Here's the difference between the stock spring and the Calimini 3" spring.
(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TQDYAqgW6Fcd2to3EJTKY3T7ZzH5D7GWTpLYMpR98qtswG8Tyr58tZ!xvGzhkshFjsfORowbfIo0M1mZQ9QlOiLbCQwRwKi2OHrbtbTeXf8vzkz9cVCdsw/DCP01156.JPG?dc=4675454980807634539)
BDS 2" suspension.
(http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/2/web/302000-302999/302365_77_full.jpg)
Just for you info.
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well I was looking into getting the BDS lift, but those pictures make it look like a pile of ass. Looks like calmini 2 inch here I come! I was wondering if anyone knew how much shipping on the kits were. I live in New Hampshire and thats all the way across the country. Looks like I have to start saving some money!
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Shipping wont be two bad. I just ordered a transmission from Hawk ( West Coast) and Fed Ex Ground was $50 to Tennessee. It will cost you a bit more because if the x-tra weight and the Kit coming in 3 Boxes (I think)
Zig
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Thats good to hear. Now I just need to get the damn thing to run right! Its only 7 degrees out, don't think I'll be doin it today.
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Ummm,So you know what a pile of ass looks like? ::) LOL.
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so, looking at the BDS lift it just comes with struts, shocks, coils and they are charging like over $500? is that what i have heard? would it not be cheaper to go down to a auto storew by some bigger shox and some struts and then go down to a spring shop and get some beffy and bigger springs?
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so, looking at the BDS lift it just comes with struts, shocks, coils and they are charging like over $500? is that what i have heard? would it not be cheaper to go down to a auto storew by some bigger shox and some struts and then go down to a spring shop and get some beffy and bigger springs?
Or, like in your case with the 92 Kick, flip the cone mount on the front strut (free) to provide longer down travel, add 1.5" spacer on top of coils (~$40/pr), add correct spacer for bump stops to keep new tires off body, add longer rear shock in rear with same mount type (not hard to find in a shock catalog)(~$30/pr), and add a slight body lift for more clearance (~$130). Will add up to better clearance than most lifts out there for the slight tire increase you are looking for. A new front strut is not necessary unless you need new front struts.
As for the rear tri-angular mount on top of your rear axle, the condiiton of it since it's used for a long time and not maintained, you may have to replace it or modify it depending on high you go in the rear. That's why Calmini add longer rear control arms and custom triangled upper link with it's lift 'system'.
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so basically i coul;d put about 2 inches of lift in my kick for about $100? has anybody else done this?
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has anyone just baught bigger rear shocks and just put bigger coils in your truck with out getting a lift kit? if so how much lift did you get?
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If you look, that's all the BDS kit is.
I know that Heather put TJ front coils in the rear of her 4 door and Mike has Ford truck shocks in the rear.
As for the front, all the struts are the same length but with the Calimini you get an extention for the top.
The big problem comes with the lower control arms. If you put too much of a lift (springs). The arm will sping down and pull the lower balljoint in. That will cause you tires to tip out at the top (mess up the camber of the truck) and mess up the drivability. Also would make the truck narrower.
You could I suppose slot out the strut and have it realigned. Maby if you looked into the article archives and check on Mike Hages widening the front end, it might even out.
Good luck.
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Looks like its Calmini for me now! Now that everyone has beaten the crap out of the BDS!
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CALMINI'S SET UP IS SWEET STRAIGHT FORWARD AND EASY TO INSTALL.......GOOD LUCK ;D
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Thanks I can't wait till i get the cash saved up! Almost half way there.
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BDS lift very easy to install no extra parts just springs and struts and shocks it took two hours to install from start to finish and clean up. you get a 2 in lift with the calmini but they have bump stop extnsion :(
(http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1117813-DSC00333.JPG )
this is the BDS sping the in the rear of my kick ;D (http:// http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1117817-DSC00324.JPG )
and this is the other side ;D
so on the calmini lift you lose most of the up travel in the rear >:(
The struts are slightly longer (less than an inch) and the mounting holes are rotated to correct camber ;D
(http:// http://tellico.off-road.com/wwwthreads_uploads/1119054-DSC00262.JPG)
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Looks like its Calmini for me now! Now that everyone has beaten the crap out of the BDS!
It's not that it's a bad lift, it's just it's components (springs and shocks) are just the basic components of a slight lift. For comparison, take a look at a late model full size gm lift of under 3". Straight axles both front and rear, with shocks. You basic lift consists of new lift springs for the front (basically springs which have an arc to them). For the rear, simple blocks/spacers to fit under the stock springs. Then the shocks. There really isn't real design work involved in this type of lift for this vehicle. The components don't exceed the restrictions of the suspension.
Having an IFS up front and an straight rear axle using links, it requires more design work. With a slight lift, the operation of geometry (is this such a thing, but hopefully you get the idea), hasn't really changed, just like the GM lift. Think of it like loading and unloading the vehicle. It has a compression and extension range. The lift doesn't really fall out of this range, but reaches to the limits of it.
I'm not stating for a fact that BDS, or any other lift producing company, provides a lift in such capacity, but design of a lift has several functions in mind (both manufacturer and user may want the same thing, but may not have the same results). 1 - lift of course, to provide lift of the vehicle (springs), 1a - to be able to control the added unsprung weight of larger tire/wheels (shocks/struts), 1b - capability of carrying higher weight capacities (most lift springs have a higher capacity), 2 - provide better handling in off/on-road driving situation, 2a - longer travel of the suspension components, 2b - restrict the sway during highway driving. The biggest limitation of a lift system, is the basic design of the suspension for the vehicle.
Personally, in Calmini's case, it's clear that they have done more research, design, and development in their lift 'system', thus the cost variance. Their lift does provide much of the functions of a lift system as stated above, and it's all based on the design limitations of the suspension of the vehicle. They certainly pushed the limits on certain design aspects of the suspension.
Personally, in BDS's case, their system adds lift per say (don't know as I don't have it nor have specs to compare). In comparison, they played it safe and stuck with the stock limitations of the suspension of the vehicle.
To compare to BDS, look at OME (for other types of vehicles). Their lift systems don't provide significant lift, but slight lift and better shocks. Yet, cost wise, their in comparison to Calmini's.
Do note, that suspension lift only separates the distance of the vehicle in relation to the axles. Lift wrt the ground comes from the tires. Larger diameter tires give you the necessary ground clearance under the axles.
In comparison to a slight lift in coils, adding spacers produces the same results for the coils, adding longer chosen shocks and adding a spacer to the strut, provides the same results. Only thing to consider, is that do you want to do the research for a lift and know what you want and live with the results, or purchase a lift and live with that result. Hopefully, your research will encompass all aspects you are looking for in a lift.
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Wow, thanks for the explanation, that really clarifys all of the questions I had running through the back of my head. Its nice to know what im' definitly doing now. thank god.