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Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....

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MiniFJ

Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« on: December 22, 2007, 02:15:31 PM »
This kit rides good but does not flex very well....

I do use the samurai as a daily driver and a weekend wheeler so looking for a good middle ground...

Paid way too much money for the lift to charge it up now so just looking to improve it...

Any Ideas, whats out there to help and what are ya'll running that works well??? 


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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2007, 08:36:32 AM »
Are your shocks set up right to get maximum flex? I was considering this kit for my 413 pick up, although I'm really looking for a better ride and more tyre clearance rather than a lot more flex.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline Drone637

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Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2007, 12:22:57 PM »
Doing a YJ Spring conversion will give you more flex and a softer ride.  The Calmini 3.5" springs are great for stability, but it does make the rigs wheel like turtles.  Course, a pair of lockers front and rear and it doesn't really matter how many tires are in the air as long as it is less then 3.  :P
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2007, 01:45:58 PM »
You can pry the spring clamps open some for more droop.  Many times the spring makes binds them real tight, and the support leaves actually prevent the main leaf from drooping away from the rest of the pack.

Make sure the shackle bolts are set to spec in the instructions, but be sure to not over-tighten.  A too tight shackle inhibits flex.

Did you remove the sway bar?  If not, you can fab a quick disconnect, that way it maintains ride, snug road manners, but will not be restricted off road.  OR...you can throw it in the garbage (bad for Earth), re-use it by cutting it up and fabbing into the trucks cage, bumpers or something (good for Earth), or clean it up and sell it on Ebay along with the drop brackets and stuff (good for pocket) or put all that in a box and send it to me for the cost of shipping (great for Timmy!).  I'd like to try and use it for a anti-sway set-up for a coily set-up.

Flex the spring like mad.  If you're locked, find a ditch that you can stuff tires on opposite corners, and droop the others.  Go back and do the other side.  Bounce on the truck when in this position to flex the springs even more.  Don't try this if you're not locked, as you'll spin too much trying to get high-centered.  What I found with Calmini springs is they take a LONG time to settle and break in (good if you're worried about sagging over time, bad if you want flexy worn-in springs).  The advice I got was, USE IT!  The springs will soften with time.  But try those other things and see what happens. 

Report back in time with the tech of it.  It helps future search results. :angel:

And PM me for my home addy to send those spare parts to. ;)

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2007, 10:01:23 AM »
The Calmini 3.5" springs are great for stability, but it does make the rigs wheel like turtles. 

Quite possibly, but the heading says 3.5" S/R, thats 2" SR plus 1.5" spring.

2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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MiniFJ

Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #5 on: December 25, 2007, 09:50:15 AM »
The kit has about 7k on it right now and has been wheeled a few times sense then. I have had the sway bars disconnected a few times but didn't really help much. As for checking the spring hanger bolts and loosing up the spring pack, I didn't think of that, good call. You maybe right about the springs not being broken in yet, I could see that from these stiff springs. Sounds like I need to put it on the lift and check that stuff out, simple things can be over looked.

I would go with this kit again if I was looking for a great daily driver setup with limited wheeling, handles like go cart and flexes like one too just more ground clearance. Easy to install and comings with everything you need.

The lockers are the next step for the Sami so I'll see if being able to really flex it out without getting stuck will help.

What do ya'll think of revolver shackles on a Sammy? I've heard good things and bad things. Any feed back on going this route?

Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #6 on: December 26, 2007, 10:31:04 AM »
What do ya'll think of revolver shackles on a Sammy? I've heard good things and bad things. Any feed back on going this route?

I would not recommend ANY expanding-type shackle for a daily driver.  Period.

Otherwise, you'll need to run longer shocks to max them out, which means mount and brake hose modifications.

Again, on a DD, don't do it.  Road manners become unpredictable.

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Offline Drone637

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Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2007, 01:23:39 PM »
What do ya'll think of revolver shackles on a Sammy? I've heard good things and bad things. Any feed back on going this route?

I enjoy the folding shackles on the front of my SJ-410, but it's not a daily driver.  The only real problem is when my front end flexes out you loose the ability to turn really tight due to flex in the system.  Need a panhard bar to fix that.

But as YT said, I wouldn't really recommend it for a daily driver.  When I'm cruising you can the shackles chattering away as it bounces along.  Talking to a few YJ owners that have them on all 4 wheels they complained about the rear end bouncing on really bumpy trails.  I can only imagine that with stiff springs the shock transfer would be even greater, all that energy has to go somewhere.
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

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MiniFJ

Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #8 on: December 26, 2007, 05:26:15 PM »
Ok so that idea is a no go from the sounds of it. HA. I guess I should stick with the setup I got for the time being on my DD and build a true wheeler. Hell, two sammies are better then one!!

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2007, 07:09:57 AM »
I was looking for a kit with a better ride and some lift. If the springs are that hard then I'll go with something else. Post back if you get the kit working better.
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline ROSS

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Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2007, 04:50:59 PM »
i've had revolver shackles on the back of my sammi for 4 years .  works fine on and off road. i run the 5" shackle reverse from calmini. never a problem on or off road.
































87 SAMI 1600 FUEL INJ. , TORQUER CAM, 6.5 TO 1T-CASE, 5"SPRINGS SHACKLE REVERSE ,2 BODY LIFT, LOCK-RITES FRONT W/ HEAVY-DUTY AXLES & ARB'S REAR  BFG 31 X10.50 X 16",  EXO SKELLETON,

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MiniFJ

Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2008, 12:51:49 PM »
What combo are you running up front?

So did you notice an issue with the flex on your kit when it was new as well?

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Offline ROSS

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Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2008, 02:39:08 PM »
it was stiff at first.  but I think the ride now is fine
just the shackle reverse up front with the calmini springs


87 SAMI 1600 FUEL INJ. , TORQUER CAM, 6.5 TO 1T-CASE, 5"SPRINGS SHACKLE REVERSE ,2 BODY LIFT, LOCK-RITES FRONT W/ HEAVY-DUTY AXLES & ARB'S REAR  BFG 31 X10.50 X 16",  EXO SKELLETON,

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MiniFJ

Re: Need more flex out of 3.5 Calmini S/R kit....
« Reply #13 on: January 01, 2008, 04:23:06 PM »
I'm glad to hear they loosing up after awhile. Sounds like I need to take Tim's advise, lock it front and rear then flex the crap out of them.