If I do a 2" spacer lift, use some diff drop brackets and longer FTS struts up front, are my front wheels goign to sit like this : \  /  ? I know you can get camber bolts for these trucks, but my question is, is that enough? They have pretty short arms compared to my Sidekick.

I'm debating whether I should just do a thorough spacer lift or blow $2K on Calmini's kit with FTS struts. I plan to keep this rig for a while so I want something I will be happy with. Right now I'm leaning towards Calmini because it's quite complete, but if I can piece together a decent kit myself for half the price that will clear my 31's, I'd like to know about it here.

we put a 3 inch in our grand vitara, with no diff drop brakets, and as i did with our trackers when they where still ifs, i used a smaller top bolt  to get the camber back, i just tried different sizes till i found one that worked....

-Lance

ps: dont go calmini, it will ride like a 1940's jeep 

oh ya, and a 2inch will net almost 3 inches of lift on the gv's and vitaras, in the front anyway

ps: dont go calmini, it will ride like a 1940's jeep

I was under the impression that only the Sidekick kit rode like crap...nobody with a Vitara seems to complain on here. I am also planning on running FTS or OME struts, not Calmini, which is said to improve the ride quite a bit as well.

You know you can fit 31's with the body lift and some fender trimming. No need for a huge suspension lift. Depending on what you plan to do with the vehicle you might just want to get the 1.25" OME springs and struts and with your body lift you'll be fine. Here is a pic of my old GV with a 2" suspension lift and 2" body lift...stock A arms.



Here it is with 32's, a little rubbing while turning so I went back to 31's.

Do not blow your $$$ on the Calmini kit. I've been running about 2.25 up front with 2" diff drop brackets, longer struts and a trip to the alignment place. Tires are straight up and down. Had the lift in for over a year and been doing some serious 4x4ing and highway driving, all works great. You'll eventually run down your tie-rod ends and ball joints but ...whatever. I'm running 'IRONMAN" coils and a spacer.

If you have the money, get the OME kit. All you need is the springs, struts & shocks. No need for diff re-location. If you need more room from there, use hockey puck / inline skate body lift trick. Yes, your tires will do this  \  /  but you can correct that with camber bolts, or a little time with a rotary tool ($12 from harbor freight) 4th post down: http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,93269.0.html

Well...against all advice, I dropped the cash and ordered the Calmini kit. Here's hoping it goes good.

Lets us know when you get it. Hopefully it'll be in 2009.

did you talk to them on the phone to make sure they had one in stock?

Well...against all advice, I dropped the cash and ordered the Calmini kit. Here's hoping it goes good.

Calmini kit is fine. I just know there's better for the money. If you order Calmini stuff from someone like lowrangeoffroad.com, you'll usually get better support and faster shipping.

i had my wheel alignment done yesterday and the guys said it was easy and they did not need camber bolts!!
I have a FTS 3inch front ( Struts, coils diff drop ) and 4inch rear setup and i could hear the difference on the way home from the shop.

Do not blow your $$$ on the Calmini kit. I've been running about 2.25 up front with 2" diff drop brackets, longer struts and a trip to the alignment place. Tires are straight up and down. Had the lift in for over a year and been doing some serious 4x4ing and highway driving, all works great. You'll eventually run down your tie-rod ends and ball joints but ...whatever. I'm running 'IRONMAN" coils and a spacer.

How much did you get with Ironman Kit? Are you happy with them? can u post your lifted GV? I am getting an Ironman kit as well. Seems not many people install them. Most of them install OME especially here in OZ.

My Calmini kit arrived last week already. Looks real nice. Now I just gotta track down some 15x7's that fit over my calipers.