Thoughts on Calmini 5" suspension lift

[GRPABT1]

Hey guys/girls, I am looking at upgrading the suspension in my sierra to run bigger tyres and get more flex. I had been looking at 2 inch lifts using good gear like rancho shocks etc but then I came accross the Calmini kits. Te price is about the same as the 2 inch lift that I had in mind but they have 5 inches of lift including a shackle reversal. I was just wondering what some people with more experience think of this kit and if there are any known problems with it or flaws. This is the kit I had in mind Super 5" (http://www.puresuzuki.com/super_5.htm)

Thanks for your help in advance.

[makntracks]

im running it on my zook.with 1.5 body lift with 36 swampers.
have been told that they didnt flex that well but mine seems to go ok.
ill chuck up a few picks. you do know the prices are in us so probly not that cheap landed. mine will be for sale when i pull it out soon:thumb: .
hope it helps
mick
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/makntracks/DSC00274.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/makntracks/DSC00275.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/makntracks/DSC00276.jpg

[makntracks]

i probly woulnd recomend it for a daily driver cause it is HIGH mine looks stupid with 32s on it.

[GRPABT1]

I was thinking 32x10.5 centerpedes (33.3" diameter) with a stage 3 rockhopper. The price is in Australian as I am getting it through an aussie distributor and asked for the quote in aussie dollars, it a bargain considering it covers everything from tailshaft spacers to brake lines.

[grimbo]

no need to go to a 5" lift for 32" tyres. I'd say go with the OME 2" lift it works alot better and with a bit of work on the guards etc is abetter option.

The 5" is very stiff and only works on makntraks because of the large heavy tyres. With a smaller tyre it is a rough hard ride with bugger all flex.

[GRPABT1]

It looks like it flexes pretty damn good to me, I can always go bigger tyres or take a leaf out. But I'll never get the money back if I buy the 2 inch lift and then have to change the lot to go bigger later. I might put some 35x10.5x15" pedes on there. Is there any chance of getting it engineered in QLD with this kit?

Which would work better with stage 3 rockhoppers? I I don't need the room I can drop the body back down to standard with the 32x10.5's as it's lifted 2 inches and that would make it look better.

[grimbo]

I was running 34" Swampers on Old Man Emu 2" springs whilst being spring under. Another guy in our club is running Q78s (approx 35.5") tyres on the same combo.

We also used 2" Body Lift and some guard cutting and rear sprinsg up front. But in the end we had very stable, very comfortable and very capable cars.

As to QLd you can't even get the 32" tyre legal and a 5" lift is completely illegal. You are only allowed minimal lift and tyre size increase. Do a search on here and see how bad it is or better yet ring them and get a list of what you can do

[GRPABT1]

Yeah that's what you're allowed without engineers approval. I reckon my local bloke might be generous :D I could go the 3.5" kit. I don't want to cut gaurds if I can avoid it.

[boof]

Yeah that's what you're allowed without engineers approval. I reckon my local bloke might be generous :D I could go the 3.5" kit. I don't want to cut gaurds if I can avoid it.


You cannot engineer bigger lifts in Qld or tyres sorry to burst your bubble. 1/3 increase in bumpstop travel and no more than 50mm bodylift. Tyre wise 15mm increase in size and no more than 50mm increase in track for a solid axle.

[grimbo]

you can't get engineers approval on any larger in QLD from all the reports on here and elsewhere.

Why don't you want to cut the guards? It is easy and can be made to look almost factory without anny dramas

here is mine with 2" OME springs, 2" BL and cut guards on 34" Swampers
http://www.4wdlinks.com.au/albums/grimbo/gjsnew2.sized.jpg

[GRPABT1]

Bugger, well there goes the keeping it legal idea. It's not like my V8 commodore that I drove for 4 years before buying the zook is legal anyway :rolleyes:

[crawla]

I thought the swampers were illegal to run on the blacktop (talking legalities). Nice rig there anyway Grimbo.........and rims!

[grimbo]

yep they were sort of but in Vic they did pass RWC a few times and a visit over the VicRoad pits for reregistration without any dramas. But I usually ran 31s or 7.50x16 on road dor legal purposes

[makntracks]

im a trailer qeen.
would seriosly have to agree with grimbo mine only flexes that good cause of my offset and its worn in quit well now. i wouldnt consider one of these kits for a daily driven car.

[zauronus]

i have the 5'' calmini lift on mine, it is a bit hard like grimbo said, but looks really good now, no cutting guards or anything like that, id reccomend it, but u want 33's for play, oh and mine is engineered too

[GRPABT1]

Well the 32" pedes are basically 33's with a 33.3" diameter. Taking a leaf out would make it flex better would it not? I noticed they sell 2 sets of springs with 3 inch lift and the ones with an extra leaf or two go with the 5" kit. I was thinking of just getting the softer springs with it if that was possible. But now I'm leaning towards the 3.5 inch lift basically because 5 inch would look stupid with anything less than 35's and I wouldn't get down the road without getting booked with that combo, not to mention needing twin transfers like makntracks...

[mick85]

i have the 5'' calmini lift on mine, it is a bit hard like grimbo said, but looks really good now, no cutting guards or anything like that, id reccomend it, but u want 33's for play, oh and mine is engineered toozauronus do u have any more pictures you can put up of your car and the 5 inch kit? thanks

[makntracks]

i have the 5'' calmini lift on mine, it is a bit hard like grimbo said, but looks really good now, no cutting guards or anything like that, id reccomend it, but u want 33's for play, oh and mine is engineered too

jeeze i wish i was in another state.:mad:
i wouldnt even try in queensland.

[GRPABT1]

You just need to know the right engineer, you would be suprised the shit I have got away with on my commodore.

[makntracks]

im shore you cant even get 35s engineered in queensland. we have quidlines that you have to follow. ive seen fully bagged minitrucks in newsouth wales regoed and engineered youd never get that in queensland.
my 2c.

[GRPABT1]

Airbags alone is a no no in QLD, for good reason too. Nobody I know with just airbags has had them fail and dump one corner at least on the ground whilst driving before. They are too unreliable.

[Toecutta]

i have the 5'' calmini lift on mine, it is a bit hard like grimbo said, but looks really good now, no cutting guards or anything like that, id reccomend it, but u want 33's for play, oh and mine is engineered too

I have had a bit of experience with a few of these kits on different cars, SWB Hard top running 32", SWB softtop with the kit and SPOA running 33":D , LWB ute running 31". Would have to agree with zauronus, the kit is awsome but you have to give it time to "break in". It would be the best way to get a big lift without a body lift.:thumb:

[GRPABT1]

Good to see some more positive feedback.

[GRPABT1]

Well I just tested out my calmini 5 inch kit and in one word, AWSOME.

I am thoroughly impressed, much softer and compliant offroad and heaps better flex. And it's not even settled in yet :D Can't wait to get my new offsett rims, pedes and rock crawler gears.

[zauronus]

sounds awesome, im thinkin going 35''s on mine, only prob i have is with 31's the front shackle hangers hit rocks before the tyres. 35's will fix that

[GRPABT1]

Yeah I suppose it would. I wouldn't go this kit without going alt least 33" tyres which is about what the 32x10.5 pedes are. Not that it is unsuitable, just that it's not necessary for smaller tyres and2 inch lift would suit better. But if you are not a fan of gaurd molesting and want big arse rubber then I thoroughly recommend it.