[Bucket]

Hey guys,

I'm pretty new to this forum and even 4x4ing itself.
Turned 18 in August and since then I've got myself a 94 Vitara and I love it.
Only change that i've really made so far it the 30" buckshots ive got, and they do sooo much better then stockies haha.
(i'll upload some photos of my car when I get a chance)

So I have a lot of questions on my mind, and thought i'd just throw them out there. I've been refered here by Atari4x4 and he's helped me out with a lot of questions already via PM on Action4wd. I'm currently lacking funds to do any serious modding or changes, but I'd rather do the research and ask the questions instead of buying whatever I see.
So here they are:

Currently my 30" Maxxis Buckshots on the 15" rims sit very tightly in the wheel arches. With any sort of mild compression on the right hand side (drive ways, bumps etc) the wheels will come up and grind against the inside of the arch. I have a feeling something might be out or a spring/shock has lowered itself.
To fix this, I was considering buying a lift kit and body lift kit. Now after a bit of looking, I've come across the Calmini 3" Super Articulation Kit, and the 3" body kits they offer. A few people have already told me to steer away from the kit if I have the money too, and purchase something more sturdy, but I want to learn the ways around my car, and they look alright.
Can anyone give me a bit of an experienced view with these kits?
Any better alternatives? Best place to purchase?

I personally prefer the mud in my little vitara. Theres really no place around here for any "rock crawling", so in the future I want to upgrade my tyres to something a little bigger and aggressive. A friend who has a sierra runs 30" Silverstone MT-117 Extremes, and them things are crazy.
I'm wondering, to go to something like 35's, what sort of changes will HAVE to be done? Gearing, more lifts etc?

Lockers have also been on my mind. What options are here for the vitara? I can't seem to find any definitive answers that I can understand (bit of a noob)

Also, what is YOUR preference for mud tyres on a SWB? From what i've seen, if I was going to go all out on tyres, I'd be stuck between SS Boggers and Silverstone MT-117 Extremes.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you forgive me for my most likely stupid questions.

Cheers,
Alex

EDIT: I've also got a home made bash plate and snorkel! Will add photos later

[Brocbeau]

I thought id get 33's and after hearing what people say, about them they hate that they baught them (V.W dave) sorry to use you but i admire your zook
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... ofile=1175
their what 33's?

35 are bigg ass tyres, youll need a kick ass lift as well $$$$$$

[Bucket]

So whats the standard "big" tyre for a vitara. 31s?

I don't think i'd ever go too big, theres no real point unless I can see myself transplanting a bigger engine (and its not gunna happen).

Idealy, i'd like to keep my buckshots on, and if I plan on going up the muddy tracks here (one I know of is pretty hectic mud/water), i'd switch to something a bit bigger and aggressive.

If I went to 31s or 33s, what parts will have to be changed or upgraded?

[Brocbeau]

STEKNIG!!!!
steaknig's your man i think but yes id say he will lead you in the right direction, 35'S ARE MASSIVEEEEE!!!
youll need a 2inch body lift depending on flex...
if you have a good flex system you may need more body lift, to get away from the tyres.

[Jamie]

save money and leave tyres along and get a slight lift kit under the puppy. don't know much about the vitaras, but from the same area, and your money is better spent with getting the driveline sturdy before putting massive tyres on. i run goodyear wrangler MTR's on my sierra, and they do everything i need in mud and sand round here.

[steak_knife]

Brocbeau wrote:

STEKNIG!!!!
steaknig's your man i think but yes id say he will lead you in the right direction, 35'S ARE MASSIVEEEEE!!!
youll need a 2inch body lift depending on flex...
if you have a good flex system you may need more body lift, to get away from the tyres.

Lot's of mod's to get them under.

Have o looky at
http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... opic&t=555
&
http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... opic&t=555

Thay both beast's

[Brocbeau]

stekky their they same :S
lol

[Bucket]

@Brocbeau: Heck yeah, 35s are maaasssiiivveee! To be honest, I don't wanna go that big. From the reading around i've done, going that big is its expensive and probably not all that practical unless I wanna get into comps.

@Jamie: Yeah, i'm about 1.5hrs away from the mount I think. I'm from little ole' Portland. I'm going to buy the Calmini lift when I can afford it, and maybe in the future go for 31s or 33s depending on what else I do.

@Steknig: Yeah, I figured it would take a loot. Scrap that idea, dont need to go that big for me . Also, you linked the same post hehe.


What sort of locker options are there for vitaras?

[steak_knife]

Brocbeau wrote:

stekky their they same :S
lol

I was thinking thay both looked similar!
http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... pic&t=6515

That's the other one I meant to put.

[Brocbeau]

hahahah, must be seeing double from all that crack

[Joe]

Brocbeau wrote:

hahahah, must be seeing double from all that crack

[Bucket]

Brocbeau wrote:

hahahah, must be seeing double from all that crack

LOL, such a friendly bunch.

[steak_knife]

Bucket wrote:

Brocbeau wrote:

hahahah, must be seeing double from all that crack

LOL, such a friendly bunch.

Welcome to AZ mate!!

[Bucket]

If only I had more money. I got plenty of time on my hands.

Really gotta focus on getting a lift kit though, cos this scraping isn't doing anything good. Then find some lockers for the read diff :s

[Brocbeau]

yeah well, if you
-"wheel it"
-"mod it"
and alternate time will go faster
dont have it sitting in the shed, to scared to drive because it hasent got top of the range stuffs

[v.w.dave]

Brocbeau wrote:

I thought id get 33's and after hearing what people say, about them they hate that they baught them (V.W dave) sorry to use you but i admire your zook
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... ofile=1175
their what 33's?

35 are bigg ass tyres, youll need a kick ass lift as well $$$$$$

HAHAHA umm ok thanks but honestly it aint all that good. Big rubber is ok but build your zook up with gears and blahh blahh blahh Build your ride first. I don't know Vitaras all that well but there are plenty of guys on here that do. But from what I have seen and what I have been in most of the older zooks run at there best with 2" springs, 2" body lift, Transfer gears 31/10.50 tyres get some good shocks. If you are going to be doing some major stuff get a good winch and lockers. On a budget you will have a fourby that will get you just about anywhere you want to get.

[steak_knife]

http://4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?C ... tId=103922

Calmini, the only way to fly

[Joe]

steknig wrote:

http://4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?CategoryId=38965&ProductId=103922

Calmini, the only way to fly

fucken oath

[steak_knife]

joseph wrote:

steknig wrote:

http://4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?CategoryId=38965&ProductId=103922

Calmini, the only way to fly

fucken oath

X2

That's what the sale of the Lil wagon is funding

[Joe]

steknig wrote:

joseph wrote:

steknig wrote:

http://4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?CategoryId=38965&ProductId=103922

Calmini, the only way to fly

fucken oath

X2

That's what the sale of the Lil wagon is funding

Cool are you ordering through them?????????? how much is it in aussie dollars???????????

[Bucket]

Hmmm, the one I was looking at getting was http://4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?C ... tId=103931 which ends up being about 1400.

Idealy i'd like a 2" body and 3" suspension kit, but hmmm

[Joe]

Bucket wrote:

Hmmm, the one I was looking at getting was http://4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?C ... tId=103931 which ends up being about 1400.

Idealy i'd like a 2" body and 3" suspension kit, but hmmm

If thats 1400 in aussie dollars thats pretty damn good i payed 1740 from 4wdu.s.a

[Bucket]

joseph wrote:

Bucket wrote:

Hmmm, the one I was looking at getting was http://4wheelonline.com/Products.aspx?C ... tId=103931 which ends up being about 1400.

Idealy i'd like a 2" body and 3" suspension kit, but hmmm

If thats 1400 in aussie dollars thats pretty damn good i payed 1740 from 4wdu.s.a

Yeah, AUD.
Are you personally running this kit? If you are, any pros/cons to getting it?

[steak_knife]

Snake want 2300 for a 3inc.

[Brocbeau]

people say calmini piss's on OME?
opinions??
i noticed thay have more uhhmm bendy springs when not in cars.
but really??

[steak_knife]

Brocbeau wrote:

people say calmini piss's on OME?
opinions??
i noticed thay have more uhhmm bendy springs when not in cars.
but really??

OME don't make control arm's so for the Vit & Gv's it is a better option, OME are good gear tho.

[v.w.dave]

From what I have seen Calmini is by far more flexi and they are a better looking kit but the springs sag sooner and they dont seem to last if your doing major stuff all the time. I have seen 2 different calmini front springs snap close to the rear mount. I have calmini front springs and the drive side is bent. It has bee like that since I got it. I am about to do a RUF to get it off there. The OME is a stiffer ride but the springs dont loose there shape. But I am sure some one will say different....

[v.w.dave]

That is on leffy sierras....Vitaras I have no idea

[Bucket]

I was interested in the Calmini Kit because it comes with everything.
I've heard the shocks dont last all that well if you play hard a lot, but i'm fine with that. I don't go out every weekend, but overall I personally think the kit looks pretty strong.

Gunna ask the 4wd specialist who's doing my check about the kits, what he reakons and if they can get them in for a decent price.

[steak_knife]

I hear the same thing about the shock's, but for the rest of the gear it's worth every cent.
You can get good strut's & shock's easy enough but the rest is GOLD!!