[Tassierra]

Hi guys,

I have the 3 inch calmini suspension kit in my swb vitara. The rear shocks have decided to call it a day and are ready to be replaced. i know that the calmini shocks are sh*t and have been looking at other brands and what shocks they have. Ive never brought shocks before so its all new to me. Ive done a search on here for the calmini shock lengths and what others have used. i found in this thread viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21488&hilit=commodore+shocks+in+vitara that the calmini shock lengths are 14.25 inches (361.95mm) compressed and 23.25 inches (590.55mm) extended.

I called into the local ironman stockist and they only offered the shocks that come in there vitara suspension lift kit which are only rated to 40mm lift. the part number for the iron man shocks is 12089GR and are 320mm compressed and 510mm extended. Ive read on here that some people use commodore shocks to replace the calmini shocks.

The questions i have are:
Are commodore shocks the best option or just a cheap one ?
What other shocks have people used to replace the calmini shocks and do you have the part number ?
Do i need to replace the struts aswell at the same time ?

Thanks in advance!

[Gwagensteve]

Commodore shocks are a cheap option, not a good one. They are VERY light duty compared to an actual 4WD shock.

Sorry I don't have a better solution.

Steve.

[GeckoXL7]

I have Ultima Commodore shocks. There pretty long. Quite stiff too got sent wrong ones ended up being 4x4 40mm bore I'll see if can get part number off them. Quite stiff on the xl7 but great off-road. Prob more stiff on a bit.

[atari4x4]

i used to be confused, but now i'm not sure.

[GeckoXL7]

I have to stop using phone.

Quote from my thread.
What i ordered was 360296 what i got is 400296.

Top is 60mm in diam bottom is 55mm so large shock. extended is 587mm

[Chop]

That length is closer to the camira length. The commodore shocks that most use with the calmini are alot longer and would be far too long for your XL7.

[atari4x4]

^^^ that

i'm yet to have a commy shock fail, the worst thing that's happened was the spot welds that hold the dust covers on the first set i ran rattled lose, hence why i've cut all the other ones off before fitting them.

[GeckoXL7]

They are long but springs haven't fallen out yet and now have outlasted the ironman i had, so a decent shock. I gather Dobinson shocks could be used up front with Calmini springs?

http://www.autopartsdirect2u.com.au/detail/shock-absorbers/holden-commodore-sedan-(beam-rear-ultima-axle)-rear-ultima-hd-lo/4558

[Chop]

Don't know how that seller lists all those models for that one shock? It also says "suits lowered springs"
For your info gecko, the shock that most have used with the "calmini"is closer to the the mid 600mm range and once again it is too long for an XL7 with your spring length.

[atari4x4]

WTF does a spray can in a wheel arch have to do with shocks to suit a calmini kit, you do know that shocks don't alter ride height? that's the job of the spring, eh.

[GeckoXL7]

Sigh!

[atari4x4]

yeah one big sigh....

do you have 3" of lift in your XL-7, pretty sure that's well above the legal limit you keep harping on about?

[atari4x4]

apparently you're lacking about 4" from the length of your shaft... and my springs also don't fall out.

[GeckoXL7]

46mm and springs are tight fully extended.

All I was quoting was a heavy duty shock at a good length that will fit and at a good price.

[atari4x4]

sure it bolts in, but you're robbing yourself of wheel travel & lots of it... hardly a good suggestion for the vehicle in question, infact not much better than stock going pics above.

[atari4x4]

GeckoXL7 wrote:

46mm

lol, look again... notice how every shock has it's bushes & washers.

[GeckoXL7]

Chop wrote:

Don't know how that seller lists all those models for that one shock? It also says "suits lowered springs"
For your info gecko, the shock that most have used with the "calmini"is closer to the the mid 600mm range and once again it is too long for an XL7 with your spring length.

Should read the head description: Holden Commodore Sedan (Beam Rear Ultima Axle) Rear Ultima HD Lo
Meaning there for lowered Commodore sedans. And if it was to long for the XL-7 which it aint my springs would of fallen out a long time ago, and its only in the last year or so that manufactures started making different Shocks and struts for the XL-7 as when i tried installing so called raised shocks and struts with standard king springs which have also changed, the shocks/struts where 1 inch to short. Along with the weight differences. Dobinsons where the only strut that was long enough up front.

Bellow are some of the other Commodore shocks with different lengths.

Standard height Commodore shocks
633mm
http://www.autopartsdirect2u.com.au/det ... ltima-axle)-rear-ultima-shock/4382

688mm
http://www.autopartsdirect2u.com.au/det ... hocks/4377


619mm Commodore shock But HD 40mm bore

http://www.autopartsdirect2u.com.au/det ... shock/4541

658mm Commodore HD Shocks

http://www.autopartsdirect2u.com.au/det ... hocks/4542

[atari4x4]

FYI vitara's have a completely different rear suspension set up compared to a gv/xl-7 and naturally offers a heap more wheel travel?

also my coil doesn't unseat either, they're the longest of the longest commy shocks from memory.

[GeckoXL7]

Yeah I know completely different rear end but most manufacturers have same shock for vit to xl7. Don't know about more travel. The A / control Arm is the limit on the vitaras unless have drop bracket or something? Gv mainly the brake lines. And pan rod if standard. More rear end alignment limitations. But if both standard the vit a gather would have more.

I wanted to get longer rear springs made up but said the xl isn't listed.

The standard commy shocks would be ok for a swb? Was way to long for the xl. But if wanted some heavy duty ones seems Ultima have more shocks than last time I looked. The 688mm shock pretty long.

[henno]

GeckoXL7 wrote:

most manufacturers have same shock for vit to xl7

That doesn't make it right. There is, what, a 300kg difference in weight between the smallest vit to the largest XL7?

[GeckoXL7]

Yeah around 300KG heavier than the 2.5L GV. Not much weight difference, main thing i experianed was the shocks where simply to short either close to its full extended length giving not much room for travel or 1 inch to short from mount.

Rear end is easy as plently of shocks in various lengths but what about the front?

[Chop]

Ok gecko, looks I've I'm gonna have to dumb it down. The original poster wants shocks for his calmini lifted vitara! You have for some reason posted up your rear shock, which by your link is actually the same as a camira length shock. Which is not any good for a calmini rear end vitara. And yes I owned one before the gv with calmini and they flex better.
You can't compare the Xl7 and a calmini rear end.

[GeckoXL7]

I only listed my rear shock as it was close to 590mm he neaded and was a heavey duty shock. then all this cofuffle started over it being to long for my car. And wasnt comparing calmini rear end to the XL-7, its obvious the calmini would allow more flex as thats what its designed for.

I gather this would be a better option

http://www.autopartsdirect2u.com.au/detail/shock-absorbers/holden-commodore-vp-vs-irs-vt-vz-sedan-rear-ultima-hd-shocks/4542w.autopartsdirect2u.com.au/det%20...%20hocks/4542

Struts dont need to be replaced at same time either, but what options are there for Calmini front end?

[Tassierra]

Thanks for the replys fella's.

so are commodore shocks the only shocks available that come close to the same measurements as calminis or just the most popular ?

ive been looking on the lowrange website and seen the doetsch shocks, has anyone used these ?

im going to ring around the toughdog, old man emu, tjm stockists around the state tomorrow and see what the have to offer aswell.

[Gwagensteve]

People use commodore because they are cheap and readily available.

Doetsch are long and cheap (until you ship them) but they are a nothing special foam cell shock. If you are looking to order shocks from low range look at Bilstein

Steve.

[suzukiboy]

Tassierra wrote:

Thanks for the replys fella's.

so are commodore shocks the only shocks available that come close to the same measurements as calminis or just the most popular ?

ive been looking on the lowrange website and seen the doetsch shocks, has anyone used these ?

im going to ring around the toughdog, old man emu, tjm stockists around the state tomorrow and see what the have to offer aswell.

I have tried getting replacement shocks from every place I could think of and no luck.

Have been told upgrade shocks for a Prado will fit and Drivetech Shocks have some but I can't find someone to confirm specs.

Was told I can be supplied with Drivetech Shocks for $260 pr. They are 600mm open & 308mm closed, but when I went to Drivetech head office they said they didn't have any to suit or they just didn't really want to deal with me.

They are two very close shocks on Lowrange website and I have brought a set to try out but have been waiting 3 months for them to get back in stock and will probley be another couple of months, so I can't tell you if they fit until I get them.

[Chop]

Just be aware the bore on a lot of these shocks often are too big and hit the diff . My calmini had dents in them and they weren't on very long at all. Shock relocation brackets can be bought but that's an extra cost and takes length from the shock.

Wow wee $260 for drive tech, almost 3 pairs of commo shocks for that gold plated price.

[suzukiboy]

Chop wrote:

Just be aware the bore on a lot of these shocks often are too big and hit the diff . My calmini had dents in them and they weren't on very long at all. Shock relocation brackets can be bought but that's an extra cost and takes length from the shock.

Wow wee $260 for drive tech, almost 3 pairs of commo shocks for that gold plated price.

How about a set of custom bilstein for around $660.

Best fix for the rear shocks is modified shock points as you posted.

[Tassierra]

im going to need to replace the springs aswell as the shocks now. i had a bit of gear in the back yesterday and everytime i went over a decent bump the wheels touched on the guards. ive had heavier loads in it before and its never touched so i just guessed the springs were gone aswell. im now on the lookout for springs and shocks. Am i better off staying with a 3 inch lift or going to a 2 inch suspension lift and 2 inch body lift and just keeping the decent parts out of the calmini lift ? Ive got $2000 to spend on upgrading it. I want to be able to have passengers in the back and tow a small camper trailer sometimes. im also running 31s.

[DarkHorse]

My Calmini springs in the old LWB 1.6 didn't cope with rear seat passengers either. Trade off for flexing with less weight in the back I guess. They were quite old and thoroughly abused though...

If you're happy with the ride and performance of the springs other than the tyres hitting the guards you could just extend the bumpstops? Have you done this already?

2" suspension and 2" body lift will clear 31s with just a little trimming at the front corner of the rear wheel arch (plus a little on the rear corner of the front arch, some light hammer work on the firewall and adjustment of the steering stops.)

Without BL you're going to have to extend your bumpstops quite a bit and get a bit more aggressive with the panel work. I'd suggest you will probably want the extra inch, but that doesn't mean you have to stay with Calmini springs and shocks.

You have the Calmini shock lengths - just find another shock that is close to that. Don't tell the retailers what it's for, just give them the measurements and that it needs to be pin top, eye bottom. Most manufacturers product lists are on the net somewhere, so you can pretty much find them yourself. Similarly with springs, although the specs get a little more complicated with free height, then wire diameter and number of coils determining the spring rate, and top/bottom coil diameter to match the Vit. For some reading to start with check - www.auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37973

Is your $2000 just for suspension or do you have other things on the shopping list? Have you thought about gearing? 31s are about the limit of what most of us can put up with on the road (it's pretty bad) and will need a lot of clutch (manual?) offroad.