Hi All

This is my first post. I was referred here by jagular7 thanks for the advice jagular7.

A group of us here in Australia have XL7s and we love to take them offroad. Suspension height has always been a limitation with XL7s so we have started investigating options for raised suspension. We have looked at local kits and other options here in Australia. The Calmini XL7 kit from the US looked really good since it addressed the suspension geometry issues rather than just raising height.

One of our group imported the Calmini kit and fitted it to a 2004 model and to be frank the result has been disappointing. The front changed very little and the rear coils sagged as soon as the vehicle was loaded up and taken on a decent trip. I know some of you have tried this kit and been pleased with the result. Did you actually get and keep the 2 ½ inch lift or was it less? (Calmini claim at least 2 ½ inches possible 3 ½ at the start settling to a guaranteed 2 ½ inches)


In an attempt to get the Calmini kit working better the rear springs have been replaced with locally made springs and the rear is working ok with Calmini shocks etc.  The front was still constrained height wise by the struts and the owner is still trying to get a satisfactory result. The latest experiment was to put much bigger spacers on the struts (thanks jagular) and that has given satisfactory ride height around 2.5inches all round but no front suspension travel. In addition the Calmini coils springs on the front are starting to sag on one side giving an uneven height. With this set-up the front suspension travel is less than 2inches, not good for off-roading.  The owner is extremely frustrated having spent a fortune $2.5K plus and at this stage still not a good result.

Another of our group has a 2002 XL7 with ARB front struts and Ranchos at the rear with locally made springs. This works reasonably ok has good height in the rear (+3 inches) but very little height improvement in the front and has blown a number of front struts so I guess still under evaluation. The IRS front seem to be tricky anyone got a good result yet?


ARB have also been prototyping an XL7 suspension on another XL7 here in
Sydney but they are only talking 1 to 1.25 inches and that kit is a
tad expensive too, at this stage spacers look the cheapest way to go
for a modest lift.

But what we are all after is a good 2-3 inch kit for an Xl7 that gives good travel.

I have seen a few photos of raised XL7s but not much evidence of them offroad. Does anyone have such a set-up or maybe advice on this?

Hey I just had a good read of the "I am new" post and Found lots of useful info tthanks folks I think I have found some kindred souls

I am sorry to hear another Calmini victim.
Since I changed my XL-7 suspension to Calmini kit, I have the same problem about 2.5" lift. And I spent a lot of time to e-mail Calmini, but I got nothing from them. Calmini denied their bug product, I felt tired about that and I gave-up finally. Now I also put the local spring and I feel good about that. May I quote your post to Calmini? I try to get my right back.

I am sorry to hear another Calmini victim.
Since I changed my XL-7 suspension to Calmini kit, I have the same problem about 2.5" lift. And I spent a lot of time to e-mail Calmini, but I got nothing from them. Calmini denied their bug product, I felt tired about that and I gave-up finally. Now I also put the local spring and I feel good about that. May I quote your post to Calmini? I try to get my right back.

I have the Calmini lift and have no prblems with it.  It's just past 2yrs now that I have had it  on my xl-7.   I wonder if they have changed something in the kit since then???
George

Hey joejoekuo

Yes by all means quote me to Calmini, Brian whose vehicle is having all the trouble may even be on here tonight to give you further info. Yes I understand we are finding Calmini unresponsive too, their latest suggestion is they won't ship to Australia anymore because we are too much trouble.

Hi George,
Good to hear you are happy wiith your lift. What year model is it I wonder if the problem relates to 2004s only or perhaps Calmini have changed suppliers? Has your kit sagged much? Do you take it off road? The Calmini kit certainly specs out the best.. if only we can get it working!!!

mmm....wonder when my low ratio transfer gears will arrrive, the next mod!

Hey joejoekuo

Hi George,
Good to hear you are happy wiith your lift. What year model is it I wonder if the problem relates to 2004s only or perhaps Calmini have changed suppliers? Has your kit sagged much? Do you take it off road? The Calmini kit certainly specs out the best.. if only we can get it working!!!

Mine is an 02 and I bought the lift in Aug of 02. As far as sag goes have have not noticed any.  I do take it off road also.

George

rc211e2,
Have you guys checked out
http://www.bigballsoffroad.com/
they are based out of AU. They might be able to help.
George

rc211e2,
Have you guys checked out
http://www.bigballsoffroad.com/
they are based out of AU. They might be able to help.
George

Thanks George, Know these guys personally have their transfer case gears and other mods in 2 Sierras (SAMURAI in US) but they don't do XL7 stuff.

Mine is an 02 and I bought the lift in Aug of 02. As far as sag goes have have not noticed any.  I do take it off road also.

George

Looks good George, that's what we need!

I am intersted in the XL-7 but my current passion is building my 4-dr Kick.  










I decided that I did not want to be bound by the current lift designs and prices.  My 4" lift was made at home in my garage.   I can add any factory lift (Suspension or Body) to it for additional height.   So far I've added a 2" body lift.   

In building my Kick's suspension I have learned that one of the best ways to find a front spring is to learn about the desing of the Suspension (a-arm = compound leaver)  and the coil spring ( # of coil wraps, wire dia. over all coil wrap dia, ect.)  And it helps greatly to find the factory spring rate.

I crossed the 4dr kick factory FRONT spring rate over to a vehicle with a similar rate in the spring legnth I needed.  US Ford Explorer.  I was able to find a  (USED) 2"+ aftermarket Explorer lift coil to fit my Kick for $60.
The springs are a little bigger over all Dia. but they work great.

Once you have the spring rate #'s of your vehicle and those around you.  You can swap and trade to tune in the rate & ride height you desire.  

Custom springs are always an option but at $150+ per set I change my mind and my Kick too often for such a steep one time use investment.

For the rear I am currently running Jeep TJ fronts, But will  soon try somthing a little taller & stiffer.