Calmini Alternative

[Neight]

Anyone have a good alternative to a calmini 3" suspension lift? I ordered this 2 months ago and Dave from All Phase just called and said some information got mixed up and it's going to be another 3-4 weeks. :eek: I cannot wait any longer! It's driving me insane. Dave suggested trying to find someone else because he's on the verge of not doing business with them anymore (not likely). Any suggestions?

[Alpine Spirit]

4x4parts.com

Frontier Lift Kits - CLICK HERE (http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/index.php3?page=shop/browse&category_id=db64d283f3a43c7a77b6717b91da1919&ps_session=4ecb7517fbd355b6d034ca2b60cf2909)

[Nissanclay]

What Kevin said

[Allen Cox]

Yep, Kev's got it right.

Are going to do the install? Ask All Phase if they'll still install the A/C lift. Some shops have issues installing stuff with someone else's name on it. I don't think A/P has any issues like that, but just to CYA.

[Neight]

Yea they're not opposed to installing anything for me at this point. I gave 'em the link Kevin posted and they're checking that one out and a couple others they said they found and are going to call me in the morning. At this point there's no way I'm waiting another month for Calmini. Even if someone else says it'll take a month for their's to ship I'll go that way because Calmini is not getting my money.

[ChefTyler]

Do NOT go with the Rancho kit, for the love of God...

[Neight]

Por qué? Bilstein better?

[Nissanclay]

I think he is just talking about the rancho UCA's. Not qite sure what the issue is but I've heard to stay away a couple of times. As for the schocks I have their 9000x and have no complaints.

[ChefTyler]

Just the Rancho UCA lift kit, their shocks are awesome, but the kit has had issues that you don't what to deal with :D

[Neight]

So what complete kit do you suggest? Besides Calmini. A/P just called and they're leaning towards the Rancho one, and I didn't have much of an arguement because I didn't wanna say "Hey, don't get that one, Chef Tyler on Ronin Wheelers said not to." :bannana:

[Alpine Spirit]

Rancho's lift was tested, and found to be fine for a cosmetic or street lift, but to have a worse RTI than even a stock truck.

RTI = ramp travel index, a measure of how far a vehicle can climb a ramp before lifting a tire.

So for offroad use its certainly not the best.

Oh and I dont know exactly why but the alignment is harder to get correct with the Rancho Lift.

[Neight]

So does anyone have a specific kit I should get? Or should I just buy this peice by peice?

[Alpine Spirit]

Either one of these is nice:

Standard Shocks
http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/index.php3?page=shop/flypage&product_id=69&category_id=1fe8e5be6c1e0353b5075873bbe04302&ps_session=4ecb7517fbd355b6d034ca2b60cf2909

9 way Adjustable Shocks
http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/index.php3?page=shop/flypage&product_id=82&category_id=1fe8e5be6c1e0353b5075873bbe04302&ps_session=4ecb7517fbd355b6d034ca2b60cf2909

Both also come with the Idler arm brace which beefs up the steering pretty good.

[Nissanclay]

I have the kit with the 9 way shocks.

If you want to wait longer I'll have a front lift available in mid july. I just replaced the bushings, you will just need to get some AAL's and some rear shocks. I even have a fancy full SLR steering system that has recently been rebuilt.

I was going to sell both to my buddy for $700 but he has run into some financial issues. Separatly the $250 for the lift and $450 for the steering.

Also, I have some 265/75/16 bfg AT's that I'm currently selling. 5 for $400. They are in very good shape never been wheeled.

[ChefTyler]

So does anyone have a specific kit I should get? Or should I just buy this peice by peice?

The AC kits are great, they get the job done and you'll be happy with them.

Tell AP that the AC kit is better than the Rancho kit and that the research you've done on Nissan sites says to avoid the Rancho kit like the plague...they make decent enough lift kits for other trucks out there, but they fell on their face with the Xterra/Fronty lift.

[Neight]

I have the kit with the 9 way shocks.

If you want to wait longer I'll have a front lift available in mid july. I just replaced the bushings, you will just need to get some AAL's and some rear shocks. I even have a fancy full SLR steering system that has recently been rebuilt.

I was going to sell both to my buddy for $700 but he has run into some financial issues. Separatly the $250 for the lift and $450 for the steering.

Also, I have some 265/75/16 bfg AT's that I'm currently selling. 5 for $400. They are in very good shape never been wheeled.

Sorry man I can't wait 1 more second. I need this thing right now. My tires/wheels are already there, thanks though.

Tell AP that the AC kit is better than the Rancho kit and that the research you've done on Nissan sites says to avoid the Rancho kit like the plague...they make decent enough lift kits for other trucks out there, but they fell on their face with the Xterra/Fronty lift.

Haha yea seeing that all the research I've done is ask the knowledgeable members of Ronin Wheelers. :wave:

Sorry, I know I'm being a pain in the ass, but how can you tell if a kit has Rancho UCAs? I thought Tyler's point was to not get the kits that Kevin posted because they had Rancho UCAs. Wheelin' is gonna take a little while for me to learn, so thanks for anyones patience that's already put up with me.

[Alpine Spirit]

AC (4x4Parts) makes their own kits. They are not the same as the Rancho UCAs... Look at the mounting plates for the ball joints Different ball joint pattern and the gusseting is a little different.

[Packman5280]

go to the rancho site and look up the kit for your truck. the pic isn't great but you can see a difference in the shape of the control arms. the rancho arms have a slight bend in one side, the AC arms are straight on both sides. the kits kevin posted are the AC arms, and good kits. and rancho does not include new upper ball joints, AC does.

[Neight]

Ok, so Tylers warning had nothing to do with what was already said. Cool. Thanks guys.

[ChefTyler]

Ok, so Tylers warning had nothing to do with what was already said. Cool. Thanks guys.

Bingo, sorry for being un-clear :D It was more along the lines of telling AP in no uncertain terms that you will not have a Rancho kit installed on your truck :D

[Lance T]

4Wheeler built a project X with the Rancho kit on it...

The stock Xterra achieves an RTI of 422 on a 20-degree ramp. With this kit we've decreased that number to 412.

Go AC!

[Nissanclay]

Sorry man I can't wait 1 more second. I need this thing right now. My tires/wheels are already there, thanks though.

No worries. Just thought I would throw it out there for ya. You will be very happy with the AC kit. I have had mine on since 12/03 and its been great. Not single issue. The UCA bushings wore out, but thats just what they do. Replacement one's are cheap only $30, so no biggie. And it took over 3 years and 2 Moab trips for them to wear out.

I know exactly how you feel, I have pretty little black SAS kit thats been sitting in basement for 2mo's and its going to be at least another month untill I will even have a chance to put it on. I had to start painting things just so in my head I was at least getting closer to being done. :crazy:

What steering kit are out going with?

[Neight]

What steering kit are out going with?

I think the best answer would be: Whatever you guys suggest? :cool: Yep, I handled that very well.

[ChefTyler]

SLR for steering...expensive but it doesn't seem to have the issues the Calmini kit does and Phil from L&P isn't reliable anymore :(

[Nissanclay]

Spencer Low Racing (SLR), and Total Choas both make great kits. You can't go wrong with either of them. You'll be able to get by for a bit with the stock system but if you hit the trails alot then it will go quickly. Lift it then buy the steering system I have for sale in July. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) Its a $1200 kit for $450 and like I said its just been fully rebuilt. New bearings, bushings, and tie rod adjusters. I also have a extra set of new bearings, 2 sets of new IA bushings, and two extra used SLR tie rod adjusters. Ian has the adjusters so you'll need to fight him for them, he's a hippie so he'll fight dirty. :)

Also, if you buy the SLR kit they make you send in a core. If you decide to buy new you can have my stock centerlink and idler arm. That way you don't have to spend extra money then wait for a core refund.

let me know either way. You just need to come get the CL and IA if you decide to go that route.

[Alpine Spirit]

AC also carries the King Kong system from Total chaos.
http://www.4x4parts.com/public_html/shop/shop_image/product/54ada55cf118238df1c358f7336d6ea6.jpg

So either the TC or SLR system you cant go wrong.

Every person I know with the Calmini Steering has had Idler arm issues.

[tmorgan4]

Another option if you're looking to save some money is this:

http://npora.ipbhost.com//index.php?showtopic=14159&hl=hoohaa&st=20

I know he did a pretty ghetto SAS, but I think his centerlinks looks fine. Basically just taking over L&P's design so it should be pretty much proven.

[Neight]

Alright Clay I'll probably take you up on your offer and wait on the steering until July.

Went to A/P today and they said the A/C kit is fine but just to make sure they send the "newer" Rancho schocks instead of the old ones. "The silver" not "the white." Anyone know anything about this?

Also I just installed an Airaid CAI today and when the truck idles it makes a constant hiss. Is this normal? It sounds like that's just how it sucks in air, but I'm not the most mechanically inclined person and I did this myself so there's decent chance I messed something up.

[Nissanclay]

The hiss is normal.

Don't know about the newer shocks

:) steering :)

[Packman5280]

you should hear my civic si with a short ram intake on it. it screams when it hits VTEC rpm, so much that i can't hear much of anything else.

[ChefTyler]

AP just wants you to have the newest shocks that Rancho makes. Rancho just re-did their entire lineup of shocks, and from what I was told they're the same shocks, only different so who knows :D

[DamnHippie]

It might be better to say Clay's SLR steering comes with one spare tie rod adjuster and one that might or might not be usable. The bolts were rusted on tight and I had to use a torch to get them off, and the threads had galled to the nut so badly on one of them that it left some groodah behind in the grooves when it came off. Depending on your tie rod ends (some are longer than others) it may or may not be possible to use that one (depends on how far down the locknut has to go to get it aligned.)

On the other hand, SLR steering is so strong that you'll probably never need a spare. I'm the only person I've ever heard of who actually snapped an SLR TRA (they're CNC crafted from a billet of hardened 4130 steel). Mine snapped as part of breaking a CV shaft, I think the forces involved were enough to slam the tie rod end against the frame and the adjuster became the fuse of the system.

[Neight]

Well I just wanna thank you guys that referred me to AC. The kit came in 11 days after the order was placed, as opposed to waiting for 2 months with Calmini just to end up canceling. Now I just need to make an appointment with A/P and see if this all works out...

[Alex Topousis]

its really not hard at all to install it, the hardest part is taking off all the stock crap. I think it would be more worth it to install it youself after work or over the weekend.

[Neight]

Except that I know nothing about cars and I live in an apartment complex with no tools or garage. I think it would definatly be a better idea to have a shop put it in, and then maybe learn about my truck as I explore and things wear out that I need to replace.

[Alex Topousis]

honestly all you really need is a ratchet set and a jack but to each his own

[ChefTyler]

They did 3 body lifts and a 3" SL at Troy's apartment complex a couple years back...all in one day :D

[Alpine Spirit]

Dont foget the steering system too. I dont know how we finished by 5.

[Neight]

I'm not against putting it in without a shop. I'm just against putting it in personally :D . I wouldn't know the 1st thing. Plus I kind of should stick with A/P for now because they did a good deal of battling for me against Calmini and I had my wheels, tires, air intake, and lift kit delivered to their shop. I think they'd be kinda mad for letting me do that, then just taking it out.

[ChefTyler]

Your $$$ :D Because I'm lazy and I don't want to look back, what are they charging you to install the kit? Just for future reference, if you set up a mod day it'll cost you a case or two of beer, maybe some pizza :D

[Neight]

Install is $500. I would've done some kinda mod day but would've felt like an ass because I wouldn't really be able to bring anything to the table. "Hey guys wanna come over and put this lift in for me? I'll watch and uh....wipe your forehead with a rag if it gets sweaty...."

[ChefTyler]

Install is $500. I would've done some kinda mod day but would've felt like an ass because I wouldn't really be able to bring anything to the table. "Hey guys wanna come over and put this lift in for me? I'll watch and uh....wipe your forehead with a rag if it gets sweaty...."

LOL, $500 isn't that bad...as far as I'm concerned there are two reasons for mod days.
1) We're usually broke from buying the parts and a mod day is cheap to pull off.
2) Some people don't know how to wrench on their shit and want to learn, mod days are probably the best way to do that.

Like I said before, totally your call, but now you know :D

[soccerbrace]

Hey man, I put the entire Suspensions lift on by myself. The only time I had others help was with muscling something on there. I recomend a mod day. A friend and I both have some stuff to do. Brendon is his name. He is doing a2" BL and I am putting on an SLR steering kit. Doesn't that sond condusive to what you might want to do? It would be a great learning experience, you can meet some friends...and we will chow down on some grub! Like I said, I just did something like this....Not to mention........I HAVE THE TOOLS!!!!!

I think I see the plan for the next mod day! Who is down?

Seriously, that would cost you nothing whatsoever, and you would make friends, and learn!!!! It is a win win situation! And as for your shop, just continue to be loyal to them as a customer, but just be proud that you did the labor!-James
________
FORD FIESTA RS TURBO HISTORY (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Ford_Fiesta_RS_Turbo)

[Neight]

Well I'm going with the shop for now. I'd feel too much like a jerk if I didn't. I already set up a date and everything. But if you guys do have a mod day I'd like to come and watch/help out with whatever I could. It would be nice to see someone put in an SLR steering kit because apparently I will be doing the same thing.

[soccerbrace]

You got it brother! Let's decide a date. Later!-James
________
Ford type 9 transmission history (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Ford_Type_9_transmission)