So if the Calmini 3" front springs are 14 3/4" tall...if you order 14" springs, with the factory 450 ppi rate, you should essentially gain 2-2 1/2" of lift right? For $75 a spring, that isn't a bad price if this will work...

I think he miss typed.  His first post said they were 16" not 14 because you can't cut down 14" to get 15".

I am also very interested in how they came out and all that.  I have my Calimini springs with 1 1/2" spacers and would like to get rid of the spacer but keep the height.

The front springs are a bigger diameter than the Calmini ones, will they clear the brake caliper? I know of a few people who have had brake failure because the spring pushed the brake caliper across. The brakes will pump back up but sometimes you don't have time or you don't realise what happened. I understood that the Calmini springs were a higher rate than the stock springs so if the coils are stock rate and 3/4" shorter than the Calmini ones you will get a fair bit less lift. I don't want to sound critical but I'm interested in this too, just wondering.

Well I got the springs installed today. I had to cut them down a 1/2 inch so that I had a pigtail to fit into the a-arm. With that said the ride height is at the top of the struts IE no down travel.  They hopefully will settle down some because right now I can hardly push the kick down in the front. Rhinoman the springs arn't much wider than the Calmini springs and I already rub the caliper sometimes, but I expect it. I might try and cut another 1/4 revolution out of the springs and hope that they will help with the lever action on the stiff ride. The are 550 ppi and the OME ones are 540ppi so I don't get why thy're so stiff.  Oh by the way the Calmini spring is a dual rate spring 380ppi to a 580ppi.


      Later,
       Kevin

I think he miss typed.  His first post said they were 16" not 14 because you can't cut down 14" to get 15".

I am also very interested in how they came out and all that.  I have my Calimini springs with 1 1/2" spacers and would like to get rid of the spacer but keep the height.

Well, the ones he ordered were 16"...You can see that they are around 1.5" bigger than the Calmini's he was running before. I just have a theory that since the Calmini's are 14.75" tall and w/ say 450-500ppi, I would think this will be ideal for a 2-2.25" of lift and a good ride/flex. Not to sure though since the wire diameter is different...this adds another kink in the theory because different diameters will flex/compress/sag/fatigue differently...even though they may have the same spring rate. This is interesting, and I think it may work...now the issue with the overall diameter and brake calipers presents a problem 

Well I got the springs installed today. I had to cut them down a 1/2 inch so that I had a pigtail to fit into the a-arm. With that said the ride height is at the top of the struts IE no down travel.  They hopefully will settle down some because right now I can hardly push the kick down in the front. Rhinoman the springs arn't much wider than the Calmini springs and I already rub the caliper sometimes, but I expect it. I might try and cut another 1/4 revolution out of the springs and hope that they will help with the lever action on the stiff ride. The are 550 ppi and the OME ones are 540ppi so I don't get why thy're so stiff.  Oh by the way the Calmini spring is a dual rate spring 380ppi to a 580ppi.


      Later,
       Kevin

Couldn't you run a strut spacer (if you are already, couldn't you make longer ones?)

FYI, be careful turning down the outside dia. of the springs...they're probably heat treated/or treated in a way in order to maintain the spring rate once formed...turning them down, even if its overall a 1/4", will effect the integrity of the spring 

The are 550 ppi and the OME ones are 540ppi so I don't get why thy're so stiff.  Oh by the way the Calmini spring is a dual rate spring 380ppi to a 580ppi.

OK I see now. In that pic the Calmini ones don't look progressively wound.

Only the first 1" is softer then mine go to 520ppi and the same goes for the rear which after 1" go to 202ppi.

ppltrak ... could you take a pic of them installed in your kick, would like to see how they sit in there. As well as a side view so we can see your ride height.

OK I'll get some pics soon. I ended up cutting about 1.5 inches off and reinstalled them they are great now the ride is very good. If I were to do it again I would order them in 14" length and run a 3/4" rubber spacer.

    Kevin

OK I'll get some pics soon. I ended up cutting about 1.5 inches off and reinstalled them they are great now the ride is very good. If I were to do it again I would order them in 14" length and run a 3/4" rubber spacer.

    Kevin

If you run a 14" spring with a 3/4" spacer that is the same length as a Calmini coil, so you would not be gaining any lift. I'm not trying to be an ass I just want to get this all figured out before I order my springs. Stock 2 doors have a front spring rate of 450 and The 4 doors are 500. Do you find the 550 a little stiff? I was thinking of running a 500 rated spring. Here is a pic of a 3" calmini coil I took when I had them out they are almost 15' long

CLICK ON PIC TO MAKE IT LARGER

The problem is that the Calmini spring sags due to the low side of the dual rate. I have widened the front and have 2.75" backspaced wheels which has more leverage on the spring. I hope that helps.

    Kevin

The problem is that the Calmini spring sags due to the low side of the dual rate. I have widened the front and have 2.75" backspaced wheels which has more leverage on the spring. I hope that helps.

    Kevin

I am running 2.5" backspaced wheel on mine, How does it ride now? Is it a little stiff? I think I am going to go with the 500ppi spring rate. How bad is it rubbing on the caliper?

Ryan

The ride is way better. You should try some OME 540ppi coils and then see. I think 500ppi might be too soft w/ 2.5bs wheels.

    Kevin

Here is some pics with them installed and some of my rear end

My rear

That looks good, nice to see a little room between each coil unlike the calmini springs the are almost coil bound when the truck is sitting level. Time for me to order some new springs, thanks for you help and pics. BTW nice job on the rear links