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Calmini vs. Rocky Road?

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Offline Autobot

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Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« on: January 30, 2005, 06:39:20 AM »
 I was wondering if anyone could give me some input as to the better choice for a lift kit between these two. I was originallly looking at the Calmini 3" kit and a body lift, but I noticed that Rocky Road offers their 4.5" combo kit for even less than the Calmini suspension kit alone.
Is the Calmini worth all the extra cash? Is the Rocky Road kit of lesser quality?

???
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Offline tracker8wr

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2005, 02:10:22 PM »
look at how the lifts r made. the 3" lift has alot more parts and gives alot more articulation and in my apinioni alot stronger. however the rocky-road body lift is the easiest to install. the rocky-road kit comes with:


OME springs, by far the best riding on the planet for your vehicle. Forget those stiff California sold springs! We have various spring rates available to really suit your vehicle's needs.
Longer OME struts for a true long travel front suspension. No cheesy strut spacers like other shops use.
Rear DT shocks for the smoothest riding shocks you can install on your vehicle.
Coil spacers front and rear for a full 2.5" lift.

the calmini lift comes with:



CALMINI does it right! We offer a system that truly improves every aspect of the vehicles off-road ability. Our system, using replacement control arms that create lift and ground clearance is the only way to go. Our exclusive longer control arms increase wheel travel, and maintain proper track width and wheel alignment. You can't do either with just a longer spring or weak coil spring spacer. Also, it's fully bolt-on. This is a full performance suspension system, not just a lift kit. Kit features our ultra high-strength tubular replacement control arms and 4 heavy-duty coil springs for maximum off road performance and chassis ground clearance. Heavy duty drop link arms included to position front axle housing  properly. Our complete kit includes: CALMINI tubular control arms, 4 new lifted coil springs, front axle drop brackets, strut spacers, extended rear trailing arms, rear V-Bar with adjustable heim joint for extreme rear flex, CALMINI performance shocks, struts, polyurethane bushings, hardware, and complete instructions.   This is the supreme off-road kit for your Sidekick or Tracker.  Accept nothing but the best for your rig!

4 1/2 body
Coil spacers
cheap but effective
31" LTB Swampers
http://www.geocities.com/race8thwonder01/ http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/769479

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Offline Somer

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2005, 09:47:35 PM »
The RRO kit is probably a lot easier to install compared to the Calmini kit, but Calmini does make some quality stuff.  

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Offline Bobzooki

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2005, 03:05:38 AM »
Quote
Is the Calmini worth all the extra cash?


Yes, every penny of it.
Bob

Tahoe 24' Fish-N-Fun Tritoon
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Offline Natebert

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2005, 03:51:31 AM »
Quote


Yes, every penny of it.



And then some,

Because you can scrap their springs, their shocks and struts, and upgrade the heck out of them, well beyond what either manufacturer produces.  

I wish they sold these kits in pieces.  They'd rarely sell another spring, shock or strut again.




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Offline cj

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2005, 06:52:55 AM »
Quote



And then some,

Because you can scrap their springs, their shocks and struts, and upgrade the heck out of them, well beyond what either manufacturer produces.  

I wish they sold these kits in pieces.  They'd rarely sell another spring, shock or strut again.





What he said. I've run both and if you want easy to fit and something as a daily driver and light trail work go with the OME kit but if you want to get the most out of it I'd suggest the Calmini 3" with the OME front struts. as a starting point then look in the Tech archives here for Mike Hagen's mods.

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Offline Autobot

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2005, 08:50:24 AM »
 Thanks for the info everyone :)

Quote


What he said. I've run both and if you want easy to fit and something as a daily driver and light trail work go with the OME kit but if you want to get the most out of it I'd suggest the Calmini 3" with the OME front struts. as a starting point then look in the Tech archives here for Mike Hagen's mods.



Yea, I think I'm still leaning toward the Rocky Road kit. I'll still be using it as a daily driver, and easier install is definately better for me right now, at least untill I get the hang of everything. I can always upgrade in a year or so. I dunno, lol. So many choices! :P  I won't be buying for another month or so (at least until it gets warmer here:) ), but I'm just trying to get my research done now.
Got Tracker?
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Offline cj

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2005, 08:57:29 AM »
One more thing, if you go the Rocky Road then get some camber bolts to correct the camber. The OME on it's own is fine but with the coil spacers you'll find the camber needs attending to. Also have a look at the thread on "ball joint drop" as this is a worthwhile consideration to let the rear work a little better. You could get even more out of the rear by using a longer travel shock if you need it. For offroad work removing the front swaybar helps. I was happy with my kit but now I'm pushing it further and felt the Calmini would let me take it further.

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mudfkr

Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2005, 09:24:22 AM »
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I was happy with my kit but now I'm pushing it further and felt the Calmini would let me take it further.

That and the fact you got a super cheap deal on yours  ;) I  emailed Seriajim straight after I saw him post that ad, you must be able type faster than me  ;D


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Offline cj

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2005, 09:28:28 AM »
 ;D

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Offline the_maplebar

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2005, 02:15:54 AM »
I'm debating the same thing right now, but I'm leaning towards the Calmini lift primarily because I plan on keeping my tracker around and continueing to upgrade it for a long time.  It will still be a daily driver so I would like a smooth ride on the road and I have heard stories of the stiff springs, shocks and struts from calmini.  This thread seems to back that up as well.  I have a heavier 4dr, does the calmini lift still ride really stiff with these, or is this mainly a problem on the 2dr?
2002 4DR Tracker V6 ZR2.... 1.5"/2" coil spacers front/rear, BDS Strut Extensions, 235/75R15 Cooper STT... They ROCK!!!
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=35.msg111575#msg111575[/url]

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Offline Bobzooki

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2005, 02:24:20 AM »
The 4-door is a little heavier - not really that much.

I bugged the hell out of Steve Kramer for about a year and a half, and I finally got softer shocks from him.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2005, 09:04:30 AM by Bobzooki »
Bob

Tahoe 24' Fish-N-Fun Tritoon
115 HP Mercury outboard

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Offline cj

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #12 on: February 01, 2005, 07:30:53 AM »
Mine is the 4dr. I have an ARB winch bar and a 8000lb winch and OME struts upfront with my Calmini 3" and it rides fine just a little bodyroll due to removal of the swaybar. I actually find the srings softer than the OME I used to have on.

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Offline the_maplebar

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #13 on: February 01, 2005, 08:21:05 AM »
I assume the OME springs you thought were stiffer were the heavy duty springs to go with your ARB bar and winch?
2002 4DR Tracker V6 ZR2.... 1.5"/2" coil spacers front/rear, BDS Strut Extensions, 235/75R15 Cooper STT... They ROCK!!!
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=35.msg111575#msg111575[/url]

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Offline cj

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Re: Calmini vs. Rocky Road?
« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2005, 08:30:52 AM »
Yep.