[Bosco15]

Looking at buying longer front struts and rear shocks.
Calmini prices seem very reasonable and I see quite a few references to their products being used on this forum.
Just wondering if anyone could clarify that our SQ420 Grand Vit is known just as a Vitara over there.
Their website lists '99-2003 Vitara and a '99-2004 Grand Vitara XL-7, both using the same part number struts.
Cheers

[atari4x4]

a GV is a GV & it's got me stuffed if you're wanting longer struts & shocks to why you're looking at calmini.

OME, Dobinson & Ironman are the only 3 that I recall doing a longer travel strut.

[henno]

My observation: in one thread you are asking advice on piecing together the cheapest possible lift option by using a Frankenstein-like collection of parts from other cars, yet in this thread you are asking about Calmini on their complete kits?

My suggestion is to pick a middle ground somewhere. From all reports, Calmini shocks are junk for our conditions (or just straight-up junk) but the rest of the kit is probably worthwhile, providing you plan on replacing the struts and shocks. With that in mind - and seeing as you are trying to use all sorts of bits and bobs in your other threads to save cash - why not just get a middle-of-the-road solution such as an off the shelf Dobinson kit that works well?

[Bosco15]

I've just bought a highway GV with 360k on the clock.
The struts and shocks must be stuffed, by my reckoning, although it seems to ride ok.
I was looking at a budget lift as I'm a tight arse.
I have spring spacers from Bruce.
I have just missed out on cheap strut spacers.
Researching my options at the mo. And the dollars were adding up.
You know how it goes.
Calmini kit looks pretty good for the price.
Will look into your suggestions.

I appreciate your input.

[sezed]

The shipping will turn you off that thought, it's exorbitant, I recommend try something local, the front struts are expensive, but when you consider the ifs front end on a GV, it becomes apparent why they are like that.

atari4x4 wrote:

a GV is a GV & it's got me stuffed if you're wanting longer struts & shocks to why you're looking at calmini.

OME, Dobinson & Ironman are the only 3 that I recall doing a longer travel strut.

Tough Dog also, that's what I have in my front.

[atari4x4]

you sure about that... from my understanding is that the toughdog's were no longer than standard?

got open & closed lengths by chance?

[sezed]

Now you have me very interested... I don't have measurements, I will get some in the coming weeks when I replace my control arms, I'll let you know!

[atari4x4]

from memory they're no longer than stock... just bigger bore oh & the stickers.

[Sco-tie]

But the STICKERS make the lack or travel all worth it! Toughdog do extended shocks that fit the rear (gas, foam and adjustable)

[atari4x4]

+40mm isn't what i'd call extended rear shocks... maybe if you're a coily driver, 40mm is adequate but the men require more.

[Sco-tie]

Same length as Camira shocks + extenders doesn't make for bad flex

Edit Camira not commy

[atari4x4]

commy shock is way longer than +40mm

commy
calmini
stock

[Sco-tie]

I thought they were the same length as Holden Camira Shocks. I was going on 580extended.

[atari4x4]

if i hit the vase hard enough i'm sure i can get them to look the same.

[Sco-tie]

If I Ctrl- enough I'm sure they will both fit on a normal sized screen haha The shocks look the same though.

[atari4x4]

fuck wiki & their huge pics this thread was dead after the OP OP'd.

[Sco-tie]

viewtopic.php?uid=4818&f=5&t=25405&start=30
With a good PDF of different brand shock lengths for reference to clear up nooby searches and wrong numbers
Plus you don't have to change your screen resolution to read things

[Bosco15]

Noob Talk is supposed to be where people trying to gain knowledge can ask questions.
So I've learnt that I have a choice of strut spacers or longer struts. My struts are shot, so longer struts to be sourced.
I've learnt that longer struts are only made by OME, Ironman, Dobinson or Tough Dog.
I've learnt that Calmini struts are crap.
I'm not looking at making a monster truck, but would like more clearance than stock. 2" seems to be reasonable without major mods. I have sourced 2" spring spacers from Bruce.
I am trying to get my shit in one sock in order to achieve a 2" lift

[suzukiboy]

Calmini shocks are not crap, got more then enough use out of mine.

But when I finally get my new shocks I have on backorder I can give you feedback on them.

[atari4x4]

^^^ but how many kms did you do... sure they might have lasted many years, but what sort of distance did they cover over that time?

[suzukiboy]

atari4x4 wrote:

^^^ but how many kms did you do... sure they might have lasted many years, but what sort of distance did they cover over that time?

150 000klms, front still working fine, rear not a smooth ride but still working.

[Gwagensteve]

Calmini shocks are OK at best. Their struts though are worse than terrible.

[suzukiboy]

I have some rear Bilstein Shocks and some "brand unknown" front Struts coming so will be interesting to see if it is a huge improvement in driving.

[Chop]

suzukiboy wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

^^^ but how many kms did you do... sure they might have lasted many years, but what sort of distance did they cover over that time?

150 000klms, front still working fine, rear not a smooth ride but still working.

Have the MTR's done those km's too?

[atari4x4]

Chop wrote:

suzukiboy wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

^^^ but how many kms did you do... sure they might have lasted many years, but what sort of distance did they cover over that time?

150 000klms, front still working fine, rear not a smooth ride but still working.

Have the MTR's done those km's too?

[suzukiboy]

Chop wrote:

suzukiboy wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

^^^ but how many kms did you do... sure they might have lasted many years, but what sort of distance did they cover over that time?

150 000klms, front still working fine, rear not a smooth ride but still working.

Have the MTR's done those km's too?

MTR's were sold donkeys years ago.

Ran PIRELLI for the road.

Running the bf goodrich mud tyres on the road currently.

[sezed]

atari4x4 wrote:

from memory they're no longer than stock... just bigger bore oh & the stickers.

Finally had a chance to look when I swapped them out a month or so ago... They are definitely longer, didn't take measurements, but pics:




Fronts

[atari4x4]

Looks to me that their front struts are the same length as stock & WTF is all that shit welded to the top of the Tough Dog strut?

[Chop]

Strut extenders for the win

[sezed]

So Atari, do you mean that the actual body of the strut, the bit that contains the "piston" is the same length as stock and that they have just welded on a longer shaft? Because overall, they are at least 40mm longer from the top hole, to where the shaft fits into the mount at the top. That's how they came from the factory, the other side was replaced under warranty and is from a different batch and has the same weldy thing at the top...