Good Morning all.  I have been lurking for a while and have decided to finally register and join in.  The reason for this is that I will be acquiring the Suzuki Sidekick that I had in college (back from my father).  It is a 1995 4 door Sidekick JLX.  While we were in college, we had this little thing off-road, in the air and everywhere in between.  It is currenly completely stock with the optional skid plate (extremely well-used).  I loved this little truck and even as stock, it has been there and back with over 175k on it and never once in the shop (other than maintenance).  That is even after doing the Alpine Loop in the San Juans (Engineers Pass and Cinnamon Pass) as well as Big Bend.   My dad has been using it as a commuter since and is giving back to me.  My plan is to transform it into an off-road machine. 

I am thinking about what to do to it and have some questions... I am considering a Calmini 3" lift, and definately wheels and tires.  From my internet voyages, I see there are some haters of the calmini product line.  Are there any reasons? 

As a newbie, what would you say to someone who wants to trick out their ride using the Calmini catalog?  I plan to do all of the work myself, so it will need to be user friendly.  If you were in my shoes, where would you start?  What would be your first purchase, and what do I need to look out for?  Thanks in advance for the input!

Calmini makes great products, some people have complained about shipping time, but I say they're just impacient.

I'll bite.

I am in the same boat you are in. I have read more posts in this forum than I even want to admit. First things first, how much money are you wanting to spend? My entire budget was around $1500 including the purchase of the vehicle. So far I am out about $800... and have a 1.5" lift on a 92 tracker w/ bad engine. I found another entire tracker with bad tranny for $400 I am planning to purchase for the engine and misc. parts. The F150 15x8/15x7 rims can be found a really reasonable prices if you just look a bit... and those are needed for any decent size tire 30" and above to get the offset right. (So I have read) I haven't decided if I am going with anything above a 235/75 just yet.

I chose to go the budget route and bought a set of Digger's 1.5" spacers and used the mount flip and crown vic shock idea'r. There are numerous sites out there for custom 2-4" body lifts. I figure a person can do a body lift and spring spacer lift for under $200. People in here are running 33" tires on this set-up... and if you need more than that, well, you are definitely gonna be getting into a bit more cash.

It's all about the budget. Good Luck.

If you want Calmini,  I would do a 2" lift.  http://www.zukiworld.com/month_120104/feature_calmini_2inch_install.htm

And a 2" body lift.
http://www.zukiworld.com/month_120104/feature_sky_bodylift_install.htm

Just my .02

Cwkick

why only the 2" arms?

I figure suspension lift is waaaaaay better than body, so keep as much as your lift in teh suspension for maximum performance. That way you gain travel and flex along with lift. Rather than adding lift and raising your center of gravity.

CW, why the 2" over 3"?  Help me out... this is what I am looking for...

As far as budget goes, I am getting the car for free so I would want to do the mods in phases... first phase is to get it of the ground and I am guessing that will cost about $1,500 or so.

Mount flip and crown vic shock?  I guess I missed that.

One question... does this forum have like a greatest hits thread?  Or do you guys have some really good threads saved that you could share???  I sure posts like mine are a dime a dozen...

Go with the calmini 6" (3+3) lift and be done. It opens up a lot of possibilities, and yo uwill want to go with it anyway later. Then get some 31" or maybe 33" bfg mud terrains and you will be kicking ass.

with the body lift, what happens to the shifters inside??? just curious.  DO most people pull all of the interior plastic pieces out?

"Check these links:

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=9146.0

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=809.0

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=8693.0

And the list goes on and on... just use the search button above and type in "crown vic" You'll get plenty of answers! LOL! Wink"

This is a direct copy of a post by digger a while back... there are several links telling how to get a  budget lift. If you have $1500 for the lift alone, well, you will have more in your lift than I will have in my entire vehicle, and I actually had to buy my tracker!

BTW, you can modify the shifters  to work with a body lift... see the link safari gave... it gives a brief rundown of it.

Safari, that is a great link!  Is there any disadvantage to doing this lift verses a calmini lift?

Welcome

I have the Calmini lift and have had nothing but good things.  No problems with shipping or any waiting around at all.  The camber will be a bit tricky to get back in alignment (I bought some camber bolts and it went fine), the transfer case shift boot fits fine with the 6" combo but the gear shift boot will need to be flipped or not put back on,  the gear shifter needs to be bent a bit to shift properly as well.  You might want to go with the 3" inch suspension lift and run some 30's to see how you like it.   The ride is a bit stiff but it soaks up everything you through at it.  The 3" susp lift is sold with the intent you are going to purchase a heavy duty winch bumper so keep that in mind as well.

Keep reading through the posts and search for specifics would be my advice.

Also, get a hi lift jack, tow rope/strap, and something to put under the tires for traction.  Above all have fun and try not to get stuck....You have a Zuk now

CW, why the 2" over 3"?  Help me out... this is what I am looking for...

As far as budget goes, I am getting the car for free so I would want to do the mods in phases... first phase is to get it of the ground and I am guessing that will cost about $1,500 or so.

Mount flip and crown vic shock?  I guess I missed that.

My main thought on it is the 2" lift is just a tough as the 3" lift and easier to install.  The 3" will have you riding front high until you put a heavy front bumper on it.  If you don't plan on the bumper then plan on nose high.

The 2" body lift runs into less issues than the 3" body lift.

I am NOT saying the 3+3 kit is bad.  What I am saying is you will likely have less problems installing the 2+2.

The other thing is what do you finally WANT from your truck.  If you want a true off road monster, go with the 3+3 kit.  If you want an all around duel purpose truck, go with the 2+2. 

They are all good!

Cwkick

on a 4 door you will not be riding front high! At least I'm not! I bought the 3+3 in the summer. So far it has been great. A little rough but it corners way better than stock. I think its over shocked though. I have 30" tires on it right now and have loads of room to go bigger.

I would go with the sky 2" body lift though. the 3" was a PITA! the suspension lift was way easier. I had to lengthen power steering hoses to the resv(not in the kit) vacuum lines, f*ck around with the tranny shifter, this included multiple bends to get it to clear the console.

With a 2" alot of these don't need to be done. Plus I am not a fan of the look of the 3" calmini, square tube under 1" alum pucks looks kinda dumb and nothing was painted.

I was under a time frame to get the lift in(which I didn't end up meeting due to long delivery) If I did it again I would just say screw it and put in a solid front axle for a little bit more $$$ A scout dana 44 with YJ springs on it could be fabbed in quite easy. or use front and back toyota axles and leafs all around.