ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Eonknight on August 01, 2003, 03:14:03 AM
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I want to lift my truck (see "Another newbie"), but I am wondering which kit to use. Any feedback on any of the two kits will be appreciated. Thanks!
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If you look through on previous post's I think it was page 9 there was a lengthy topic on this issue.
Mac
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WELL I WAS ALL SET TO GO ROCKY ROAD WHEN I FIRST STARED OUT ON THIS VENTURE! BUT THE MORE YOU READ THE MORE YOU SEE HOW MUCH EVERYONE LOVES CALMINI ??? BUT THERE IS ATLEAST ONE GUY HERE RUNNING ROCKY ROAD ON HIS SPORT MODEL KICK, BUT ITS ONLY A TOTAL OF 4 1/2" LIFT VERSUS CALMINI'S 6" COMBO....CALMINI SHOWS A PICTURE SO YOU SEE WHAT YOU GET..NOT SO SURE WHAT COMES IN THE RRO PACKAGE NO PICTURES :-/ AND I'M A FIRM BELEAVER IN A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.... GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR VENTURES, ALL THE ANSWERS ARE HERE IF YOU LOOK OR ASK...SURE HELPS WHEN YOUR A NEWBIE, TO BE ABLE TO TAP SO MUCH OF OTHERS TRIAL AND ERROR....
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Thank you, Mac and NY. And yes, it's great to have so much experience available.
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Well I hear if you buy the Calmini kit you should "Get rid of everything stock in the steering or get good at road side alignments"
And as far as the RR kit goes it is both half assed and cheap.
But thats just what i've heard, havn't installed either so I can't say for sure.
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I've been running Calmini lift kits for over 7 years now, and have NEVER had to do a 'side of the road' alignment. Riding both the 2" and the 3" kit.
Zig
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I have only had mine a short time and have not had a problem with having to do road side alignments either, I love the lift.
Mac
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Thanks guys. I guess I'll have to install the Calmini kit and see if I have the same problems as others do with the steering components. :-/
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THAT IS WHAT I DECIDED TOO , WAS TO GIVE CALMINI A TRY CAUSE ROCKY ROADS SYSTEM WAS A BIT VAGUE & NO PICS. AND YOU ALL KNOW I'M A PICTURE GUY ;D COULDN'T GET MUCH FEEDBACK ON RRO SO WENT THE CALMINI WAY..WILL BE HERE THURSDAY :o HAPPY ZUKING! MATTY D. 8)
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It doesnt matter which kit you run, its the terrain and driving habbits. In Moab I was out with three other kicks, all set up differently, including RROs kit, they all kept bending the Idler Arm. Its just a weak component. Its not because of which kit you run. The added angle is just too much for the stock parts. An idler redesign is needed.
Mike
Zig, Youve never done a "roadside" allignment? Ive seen video... you like the go pedal as much as the next guy! ::)
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None at all ;D I am running manual steering, and believe that is the reason I havent. I have noticed cracks forming in the frame behind the steering box >:( But that will be beefed up when I install the power steering later this month. I would be curious of the percentage of people having trouble with the idler arm run power steering ???
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I had been runnin the Calmini 6" kit on my 95 tracker. I like the kit, but they dont supply you with the steering extension piece.In the directions, theirs a picture of what you need to make. Its not a big deal but you'll need it if you dont have a slip yoke style steering.
After the springs broke in. the rear was still way too stiff. The springs are designed to carry full gear, which I have on my rig. It didnt seem to help. You do have the option of cutting the rear spring. I did not do that.
The front springs felt great, after I put the Calmini winch bumper and a 90lb. winch on, the front end really sagged. I'm not happy ???
Besides that, the kit is not to hard to install. Calmini is real helpful if you need to call them for questions. Good luck!
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Zukipilot, can you take a picture or make a quick sketch of where your frame is cracking? My power steering pump died on me right after I bought the truck. I wanted to install another one, but after reading your post, I'm not so sure anymore. Anyway, I should probably beef up that area of the frame when I lift the truck, just to prevent any unpleasantness.
Also, since no one makes a better idler arm yet, could a beefier unit be home made? I have absolutely no idea of how to do this, but I know someone who's very competent in this matter. Besides, I want to learn. ;D
What are your thoughts, everyone?
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For the Idler Arm check out the Tech archives here. I'm almost posative that there is a write up on beefing one up. The cracks are above and below the mounting bolts(small ones) and the larger ones are in the crumpel zone creases of the frame.
Zig
Keep in mind that you may not have any cracks. I'm turning 33x12.50's and drive my vehicle hard. I like speed, I like rocks and I always try harder stuff each time I go out. If I break I fix it and return to try the obsticle again ;)
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Thank you, Zig. :D
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I actually tore my gearbox right off the frame about 3 months ago. :o I plated the outside of the frame from the front body mount all the way to the strut tower, drilled through, and installed grade 8 1/2 iinch bolts w/ big thick washers. If any one wants a pic PM me and I will E mail it to you.
Mike
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BTW chunk does not have Power steering and he bends Idlers too. :-[ Your just lucky so far Zig!
Mike
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i'm going to beef it up when I do the power steering, so I dont push my luck to far ;)
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BUT THERE IS ATLEAST ONE GUY HERE RUNNING ROCKY ROAD ON HIS SPORT MODEL KICK, BUT ITS ONLY A TOTAL OF 4 1/2" LIFT
That's me.  Actually, I don't have the body lift installed yet, so I've just got 2.5" currently.  I'm going to install the body lift and get bigger tires eventually, just gotta get the money/time for the 5.83 gears I'll need for 32" tires.
(http://photos.zuwharrie.com/users/dschwab9/blingblingkick.JPG)
There's a few more pics during and after the install at:
http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/index.php?board=12;action=display;threadid=594
and:
http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/index.php?board=12;action=display;threadid=682
And as far as the RR kit goes it is both half assed and cheap.
It is, but it's all quality components, and once you get everything installed and the aligment issues fixed (throws the camber off real bad, and it can't be adjusted without modifications), it works great.
RRO's website is VERY misleading.  It is far from a "bolt on and drive it" kit, as they lead you to believe.  If you don't mind doing some engineering and fabbing, you'll have no problem installing it.  If you want something thats "bolt on and run it", you'll be better off with the Calmini kit.
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YEA , I FELT CONFUSED AND UNSURE EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GETTING WITH RRO ( NO PICTURES ON WEB SIGHT ) WHICH COULD BE EASILY ADDED :) SO WITH THAT IN MIND AND ALL THE PRAISE FOR CALMINI I CHOSE THE CALMINI WAY... RRO SHOULD ADD MORE PICS OF ITEMS ....CALMINI SHOULD INCLUDE IN THERE SIGHT THE NEED FOR THE WINCH BUMPER COMBO FOR PROPER CAMBER & ALIGNMENT..... BE UP FRONT WITH THE CUSTOMER ITS THE BEST POLICY.... JUST MY THOUGHTS, WHEN CHECKING THERE SIGHTS, OR ANYONE ELSES .. ::)
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This is what you get:
(http://www.hardcore4x4.net/pics/lift.jpg)
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OK THANKS...NOW IF RRO WOULD JUST POST IT ON THERE SIGHT WE'D ALL KNOW....BUT THEN AGAIN YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THAT CALMINI HAS A LOT MORE TO ITS LIFT THEN JUST THIS...MAKING IT IN MY OPINION WORTH THE EXTRA DOUGH ;D MATTY D. 8)
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I've just fitted a RRO style lift to my '94 3dr soft top Sport, in the UK, using locally available +1.5" Ironman springs, with RRO 1" spacers, RRO 2" body lift from the US, and Deldana 2" struct & shock spacers from Brazil. I'm pleased with the effect but will need to adjust the top holes of the strut spacers to correct the camber, and to extend the shifters - they do work, but only just! I'm pleased with the overall effect and can't wait to get it back on then off the road again.
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You guy said that you might have a camber issue with calmini but if you don't want to run winch and bumber you could go with 2.5 backspace weels in the front which world put more leverage on the springs and the problem should be fixed
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If you are concerned about the camber issue and don't want to add all the other goodies to weigh your truck down. All you need to do is make an adjustment in your top strut to spindle bolt and the problem is solved. I did this to mine and was able to have my alignment set correctly.
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can you describe the mod to the " top strut to spindle bolt" please, ta.
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This is a link to a pic, hope it helps, I didn't like it when I did it, but it works.
http://wildcatent.freeyellow.com/zookmods/holeinstrut.bmp
Darrin
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??? How does the 2" Lift Calmini Kit get the front ride height at 2 inches since i do not see any front coil springs in their package?
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Zukkinmad
The new control arms that come with the kit space four factory springs up two inches. I ran the 2" kit on my Kick for many years and just installed the same kit on my X-90. I drive 1000 miles/week in my X-90 and it rides great with their 2" lift.
Eonkinght,
I just picked up all of my pics from my last set of modifications. PM me with your email and I'll send you a pic of the frame crack.
Zig
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Hey Zig,
I PM you about the front diff parts you had for sale. Did you get it? I also replied to your for sale post .
Later,
Bill
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Hey Mike,
Do you still bend idler arms with the mod using a peice of angle bolted to the a-arm mount for a lower support?
Their is a tech article about making a new idler but it isnt on this site :-/
Ill have to take a pic of mine that I beefed up and post it. One thing not mentioned is the mount will crack at the bolt holes, I took a piece of 3/16 steel and welded it to the back of the mount.
Maybe Ill just do a write up with some pics and email it to Eric.
Later,
Bill
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Hey Mike,
Do you still bend idler arms with the mod using a peice of angle bolted to the a-arm mount for a lower support?
Their is a tech article about making a new idler but it isnt on this site  :-/  ÂÂ
Ill  have to take a pic of mine that I beefed up and post it. One thing not mentioned is the mount will crack at the bolt holes, I took a piece of 3/16 steel and welded it to the back of the mount.
Maybe Ill just do a write up with some pics and email it to Eric.
Later,
Bill
Bill,
Sent you a PM....
Thanks, Eric
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Bill,
Sorry, I read your PM and got busy at work and forgot to reply. Check your pM
Zig
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No problem Bud..... Sent you a reply.
Later,
Bill
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Funny, seems we're having a PM Festival here... :P
Has all this inspired Mr Hagen, the resident DIY engineer, or another one of our gifted tinkerers for a new tech how to? ???
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Zukkinmad
The new control arms that come with the kit space four factory springs up two inches. I ran the 2" kit on my Kick for many years and just installed the same kit on my X-90. I drive 1000 miles/week in my X-90 and it rides great with their 2" lift.
Ok, i'm gonna purchase the 2" Calmini lift, but plan to use the rockyroad 1 1/8" spring spacers. Would that cause any problems?