Before this gets all blown out of proportion, I have to defend both of these guys.

I have known Kerry for almost 10 years now. Steve Kramer introduced us way back when Kerry and I were the only two in the US who had built their Sidekick/Tracker into capable offroad rigs. Kerry has owned his truck since 91 and I have owned Lil suzy since 92. The 2" lifts on our trucks are among the first that Calmini ever sold.

I also know Mike. He and I have talked several times
and again we were introduced by Steve because of our commitment to the Sidekick/Tracker as an offroad vehicle.

Both these guys have knowledge to share, both are good honest people, both have years of experience. Both approach the subject from a different point of view, as do I. This is a marketplace of ideas and we should keep it that way

Now I don't know why Mike was ignoring Kerrys question the other night. If you go back an look Mike was responding to other peoples posts but not to kerrys question. Now maybe Mike thought it was a stupid question. That it should be easy to figure out that he is running a Samurai style third member since it is an Calmini anvil case. But Kerry asked politely 3 times before he asked humerously why Mike was ignoring his question.

This is something between Mike and Kerry. I am sure it has to do with their differing views on building these trucks. But again I would ask that all of us keep this a marketplace of ideas, all ideas are good. Only by exploring them all can we make the best decisions for our own trucks.

Mike and Kerry, I hope that both of you can give each other the respect you deserve on this forum You are both inovators of the highest calibre, and vital to the development of the Sidekick/Tracker platform as a reliable offroad truck.

Thanks,

Dave

Before this gets all blown out of proportion, I have to defend both of these guys.

I have known Kerry for almost 10 years now. Steve Kramer introduced us way back when Kerry and I were the only two in the US who had built their Sidekick/Tracker into capable offroad rigs. Kerry has owned his truck since 91 and I have owned Little suzy since 92. The 2" lifts on our trucks are among the first that Calmini ever sold.

I also know Mike. He and I have talked several times
and again we were introduced by Steve because of our commitment to the Sidekick/Tracker as an offroad vehicle.

Both these guys have knowledge to share, both are good honest people, both have years of experience. Both approach the subject from a different point of view, as do I. This is a marketplace of ideas and we should keep it that way

Now I don't know why Mike was ignoring Kerrys question the other night. If you go back an look Mike was responding to other peoples posts but not to kerrys question. Now maybe Mike thought it was a stupid question. That it should be easy to figure out that he is running a Samurai style third member since it is an Calmini anvil case. But Kerry asked politely 3 times before he asked humerously why Mike was ignoring his question.

This is something between Mike and Kerry. I am sure it has to do with their differing views on building these trucks. But again I would ask that all of us keep this a marketplace of ideas, all ideas are good. Only by exploring them all can we make the best decisions for our own trucks.

Mike and Kerry, I hope that both of you can give each other the respect you deserve on this forum You are both inovators of the highest calibre, and vital to the development of the Sidekick/Tracker platform as a reliable offroad truck.

Thanks,

Dave

Well said and appreciated.................

Don't know if anyone else has looked at this on Pirate but there is a Toy IFS conversion on a 4dr just for something different.  

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318480

Don't know if anyone else has looked at this on Pirate but there is a Toy IFS conversion on a 4dr just for something different.  

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318480

 Toy IFS conversion on a 4dr...

Total money spent on the front swap: $200
Total money spent on the rear swap: $100
__________________
Suzuki Vitara JLX 5 door
G16B, Garrett VNT25 |removethispart|@ 15psi, MegaSquirt'N'Spark, MSD6A
Toyota Hilux rear axle, 5.71:1 + TrueTrac, 35" BFGoodrich all-terrain

Wow! isn't Mike working on adapting Toy half shafts to the SideKick? Talk about a low cost solution. This could be the ultimate budget upgrade.

My god, I haven't cursed at Mr Hagen, as he has towards me  Who you callin' the Pirate Mikey??
I did ask what diff are you using and he has not even yet told me, for an "out"  I even suggested that he might not be able to share that info and I would drop the subject.
I Don't get this "Church" of Mike Vibe that's going on here. I asked a question and people get upset when  I question with some humor, that obviously must either being doing 2 of 3 things.
1. Some people here have no sense of humor and are overly sensitive..........
2. I have asked a question which is unappropriate, " What diff are you using Mike?"


Now that's 2.......... the 3rd which I don't dare include because it may well hurt someones feelings, I would rather not display.........Oh what the hay.........here goes...............OR
3. The humor has, "Hit the nail on the Kramer, I mean the Head"
(NOTE* that was humor there, my humor, but still thought I should explain, Don't want to hurt somebody's feelings, Opps that's humor again)!!

Meaning(I feel I should explain myself so as not to "upset" anyone at church*, (humor again)) Mike is helping Calmini to develope a new product and therefore can not share certain info at this time........That fine and would be an understandable explanation....So now that we have that out of the way!

"Hey Mike what diff you using?"

I will in the future always denote humor with an asterik(*) so as not to offend, enrage or cause the initial thread to be hijacked by soap opera squabbling,........ notice there is no asterik cause I was being serious, Now let's get back to the point of this thread...........How about a new housing that will accomadate a larger R&P. and upgraded axles too!! Anyone got ideas or experience doing that and would like to "share"!

1- The one with no sense of humor is you. More importantly no patience.

2- Have you asked a question which is unappropriate? Id say yes. Just to be absolutely clear I never had a problem until this post.

Hey Mike what happens when I ask a question?  

You become Stevie Wonder?

At least tell me it's none of my business so I don't sit here like a puppy at S. Kramers feet!

3- Yes you hit the nail on the head when you lead a personal attack on my character.

My front diff is not a secret and has never been a secret as I have talked about it many times. I already explained to you why I had not responded. It was an accident. I thought my response to your post went through before my computer locked up. I guess I should have rebooted and got back online so I wouldnt have to go through all this crap! It is a Calmini prototype Centermount 7.5 Anvil. It has the same axles that every other Anvil has on the short side but this one has 2. I cant talk about why Calmini built it but I can tell you what it is.

As for your "Church of Hagen" BS ...I have a lot of freinds on here, sorry if that upsets you. Mabey its cause I dont talk to people with your "sense of humor".

Mike  

My god, I haven't cursed at Mr Hagen, as he has towards me  Who you callin' the Pirate Mikey??
I did ask what diff are you using and he has not even yet told me, for an "out"  I even suggested that he might not be able to share that info and I would drop the subject.
I Don't get this "Church" of Mike Vibe that's going on here. I asked a question and people get upset when  I question with some humor, that obviously must either being doing 2 of 3 things.
1. Some people here have no sense of humor and are overly sensitive..........
2. I have asked a question which is unappropriate, " What diff are you using Mike?"


Now that's 2.......... the 3rd which I don't dare include because it may well hurt someones feelings, I would rather not display.........Oh what the hay.........here goes...............OR
3. The humor has, "Hit the nail on the Kramer, I mean the Head"
(NOTE* that was humor there, my humor, but still thought I should explain, Don't want to hurt somebody's feelings, Opps that's humor again)!!

Meaning(I feel I should explain myself so as not to "upset" anyone at church*, (humor again)) Mike is helping Calmini to develope a new product and therefore can not share certain info at this time........That fine and would be an understandable explanation....So now that we have that out of the way!

"Hey Mike what diff you using?"

I will in the future always denote humor with an asterik(*) so as not to offend, enrage or cause the initial thread to be hijacked by soap opera squabbling,........ notice there is no asterik cause I was being serious, Now let's get back to the point of this thread...........How about a new housing that will accomadate a larger R&P. and upgraded axles too!! Anyone got ideas or experience doing that and would like to "share"!

how about you quit being such a smart ass? you are making your self look liek a total ass hole.

My front diff is not a secret and has never been a secret as I have talked about it many times. I already explained to you why I had not responded. It was an accident. I thought my response to your post went through before my computer locked up. I guess I should have rebooted and got back online so I wouldnt have to go through all this crap! It is a Calmini prototype Centermount 7.5 Anvil. It has the same axles that every other Anvil has on the short side but this one has 2. I cant talk about why Calmini built it but I can tell you what it is.


Mike  

Thank you

Kerry

Kerry,
FYI. I knew the answer to your question all along and did not reply because I also was under the impression that you were being an inpaitent ass. Wich suprised me after how pleasant it was dealing with you buying parts :-/  

From 8:23PM-8:46PM no answer that you want, so the comments start flying :-/

Zig

This has been a great thread guys!
Thanks to all of you for participating.

Having gone SAS and wanting to stay IFS this has really given me some great ideas.

~Nate

Can we get back on topic yet.
I was really learning a lot.

~Nate

Can we get back on topic yet.
I was really learning a lot.

~Nate

I agree!

Kerry,
FYI. I knew the answer to your question all along  Ã‚ 

From 8:23PM-8:46PM no answer that you want, so the comments start flying :-/

Zig

I didn't know the answer, that's why I asked.


Thanks for your help Zukipilot!?!? ( Note: NO asterick (*) to signify humor)

Hey Mike, Can you bring me up to speed on your truck and what was breaking on your front end before you went to the shorter axles? Was it the Maxima CV's? What is their maximum working angle?  What are you running for a strut now? have you maxed out the potential front end travel? how much do you have? The old ramp pic's are pretty impressive How much RTI do you have now?

Thanks,

Dave

My front diff is not a secret and has never been a secret as I have talked about it many times. I already explained to you why I had not responded. It was an accident. I thought my response to your post went through before my computer locked up. I guess I should have rebooted and got back online so I wouldnt have to go through all this crap! It is a Calmini prototype Centermount 7.5 Anvil. It has the same axles that every other Anvil has on the short side but this one has 2. I cant talk about why Calmini built it but I can tell you what it is.

Mike  

How are drive shaft angles with this centered set up? Are you get any bad vibes?

George

Hey Mike, Can you bring me up to speed on your truck and what was breaking on your front end before you went to the shorter axles? Was it the Maxima CV's? What is their maximum working angle?  What are you running for a strut now? have you maxed out the potential front end travel? how much do you have? The old ramp pic's are pretty impressive How much RTI do you have now?

Thanks,

Dave

I dont know what the maximum angle is on the maxima but its probabally the same as the tracker as they look Identical exept the Maximas are bigger. I used to break inner cvs once in awhile with 33s. Mabey 3-4 a year. I was planning to go to 35s so I knew the problem would get worse with the extra force. Plus my driving gets more agressive every year. The center mount diff was more of a preventitive maintence build. Center mounting the diff reduced the cv angle while maintaining clearance.

I am (and  always was) running the OME struts. Im not really gaining any travel with them since I have rubber bumpers on the shaft to soften the blow on impact. My front travel is maxed out by the strut, not the cvs. I considered building upper control arms but I dont know what would be gained. I dont want more down travel or I will be right back to maxed CV angles. The only advantage I can possibly see would be some up travel before the coil went solid and the ability to run an adjustable shock.

 My last score was 1180 on a 23 degree ramp with air pressure at 6 psi. That is the pressure I wheel at. Im not sure but I think thats the same # I had back 3 years ago. Id have to got to my spec page to check.

Mike