Okay, so I bought a 97 sidekick. I was planning on getting the calmini kit then I started thinking about a solid axle swap instead. I'm just wondering how tough the calmini kit really is and which way would be better. I am not looking for my kick to be a serious rock crawler, I have my sammy for that. But I want it to be semi capable and reliable.

Thanks for any comments.

You are taking about the 3" suspension lift kit??
No regrets about installing it, does everything I want to off-road and a lot I will never do.

I've bought it twice
For suspinion lift, I don't think you can really beat Calminis.
All new A-arms, Springs, control arms, 3rd link,Shocks and struts (they work, Thats all I can say about those)
Basicly, everything that is part of the suspinion is replaced with some
really well engineered stuff.

I have their two inch lift on my daily driver and their three inch on my trail rig. I love them both. If you are looking for a good reliable product, Calmini is the way to go. My 2" lift is around 10 years old and still in great condition for all of the abuse I have put it through.
Zig

And for strength/reliability, if you replace the front diff with the Calmini Anvil.... well take a look at Operation: RockStar in the tech archive.

I have there 2" lift and it is about 12-14 years old.  It has been abused a lot and it still works great to this day.  I had the frame crack, body crack, power steering bracket brake but never had a problem with the suspension kit.  I would like to upgrade to the 3" but I don't have the time to do it right now.  But given the 2" with a 2 1/2" homemade body lift, it runs 31 BFG Muds and goes anywhere being locked up front & rear and lower t-case gears.  You can't beat the Calmini lift for dependibility, durability, and cost.

I had a Calmini two inch lift.  It was very good and easy to install.  Great for a dual purpose rig!

Check out the install!

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_120104/feature_calmini_2inch_install.htm

Cwkick

Calmini 3+3 on mine. Very well designed suspension system. Rutted and stepped hills that stopped my Tracker dead in it's tracks became easy climbs once I added Calmini's kit. Then I added 31x10.50s and now I can't find stuff around here it can't do. You will like it. 

Does the car ru much rougher with the 3+3?

Im thinking of picking one up next month...

allthough where I am in So Cal with the winds being the way they are...I may just delay it a bit longer....I was getting blown into other lanes...

The ride is firmer but that is because it is designed to handle the weight of heavy off-road bumpers and a winch, etc. I am running mine without the extra weight right now and I actually like the ride better than a stock set-up.

I did my suspension part first and loved it. Smooth and quiet. Then I added the body-lift and noticed how road noise and vibration, etc were transmitted to the body. I think it is because the body lift does away with some of the body to frame cushion that snuffed vibration, noise etc.

I might switch over to a Boondox Motorsports 3" body-lift. It is a stronger design that utilizes the full stock body cushions. It also provides mounting points for sliders, bumpers, etc.  The home made body-lift by HotRod (above) is somewhat like the Boondox one. I was going to post a picture of it but it seems to be gone. Maybe HotRod can post one.

This is in addition to my previous post...


I have been told that the SKY 2" lift is also a great kit to pick up...

For thoose who have installed either my additional question is as follows:

Is the Calmini kit similar to that of the SKY kit in that it utilizes extenstions on the frame bolts...


The reason this is an issue for me is because I have installed custom bucket seats in the rears...and installed about 6 layers of fat mat...in other words its almost impossible for me to get to the places where the bolts are....


I am using the car as a daily driver, and I am at the very minimum going to pick up the suspention kit....thanks!

The Sky 2" bodylift just screws onto the stock body bolts from underneath. They use a threaded steel sleeve that goes through plastic body blocks. It is all done from the under side.

I would stick with a 2" body lift next time. the 3" was a PITA! You have lengthen the gas filler, power steering res. hoses, some vacuum lines, fart around with the steering shaft. I don't like the calmini body lift it uses crappy 2" sq. tube and a 1" alum. spacer. they tell you to get rid of one of the rubber bushings(I didn't I got longer bolts and used them) the sky 2" is a much cleaner look and is easier to install.

Sounds like I need to order a SKY kit then...


I am going to do the 3 inch suspension (CALMINI)

w/ 2 inch SKY...

Thanks for the input

After installing the Calmini lift does anyone experience any "bottoming out" in the rear?  If I add about 400 pounds I seem to get a loud thunk coming from the rear.  It sounds like hitting the bump stop or something