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Shackle reversals versus SPOA

753 views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  Capn_Crunch 
#1 ·
The purpose of modifying my suspension is to get lift without compromising drivability -- to put some small distance between my Xfer case and the ground and still drive it to work.

Calmini claims their S/R is "how it should have been designed" -- lift with a better ride. It is also obvious from their illustations that one might have a tough time later trying to put an aftermarket bumper on as this S/R changes the frame-end mounting dimensions.

A SPOA gives lift. But does it seriously degrade handling in everyday driving?

I don't want lots of lift, just safe simple lift.

Are there any other ways to lift (besides body)??

Your comments, please.

Ack

 
#2 ·
howdy,
i tried the shackle reversal. under hard, but not HARD braking, it gave me brake dive. the brake dive lead me from the shackle reversal, or shall i say fangs, to the spoa, and so weld of the passenger side wheel well where the tire bent the floor up. but some poeple might say the reversal is get. i am just one man, with just my knowledge and past dealings. so don't just take my word for it.

Jimmie & MONZUKI

"God doesn't have to hand out brains everyday."
 
G
#3 ·
I have a Calmini SR lift and I do like it. It does what it says it does. Not the most flex but on the gravel roads I drive on allot it help more than I can say. Stock I would not go over 30mph on them with the SR and 30's on I do the same road over 60 the faster I go the smoother it is.

If you plan on doing major off roading and rockcrawling a SPOA always one of the best mods you can make. I don't run SPOA on mine but for mud and the offroading around here it is not needed.

Check out www.izook.com they have an excellent articals and all the links to the manufactures. Do some research and plan ahead Money on a Calmini S/R or any mod is wasted if a year later you go to something else.
 
#5 ·
I've just installed a S/R on my 87 with 30's. It has improved the ride quite a bit and I'm one happy camper. Depending on your driving habits, the brake dive issue (or non issue) will determine if this is acceptable or not to you. Personally, I don't think it is an issue. It is there, but if you drive defensively, it is barely noticeable. For the money, the S/R is a good buy.

All Good Medicine,
Crow

Creator, everything we do leaves a track. May our tracks be ones we would want you to see and others to follow......

 
G
#6 ·
I will swear by the s/r and am modifying my Calmini s/r to accept the longer rear springs rather than throw it out like most seem to do when they do a rear spring on front mod. But I don't do 4+ star trails, so I don't really know what to expect with the s/r in hard core situations. I tackle the road and the 3 star trails just fine though.

One thing I have noticed on Calminis set up, the rear angle is thrown off about 1/2", so I added a shim to keep my joints aligned properly. The extended shackle on the back drops the the driveshaft a bit. One of the first things I was taught was to keept hose ujoint angles true on each end of the driveshaft, and the Calmini s/r doesn't without adding a shim.

Neal the Zukiguy

"If it is '...a Jeep thing...' I hope it isn't contagious"
 
G
#7 ·
I think you should do the SPOA set-up you can do this for the same price and get a better ride! The coolest thing is the fact of you ever decidin to do some off-roadin you will get more flex outta it!

" Go Cheap n' Smooth or Forget about it!"

Thanx
Studly
92 Zuki/235's/header/cherry bomb exhaust/Still Building
72 fj40/crate 350/33's/discs
 
#8 ·
<<<<<<A SPOA gives lift. But does it seriously degrade handling in everyday driving>>>>>
Heck no! I have had a 3" National spring lift before and it worked fine for a "Simple lift" but I wanted more flex and got it from a SPOA, and it handled the same on road(without the sway bar too), and for a Samurai it rode great.
The problem I see with the Calmini S/R is that you can only run 30" tire (even with 3"springs) cause it rubbed pretty bad in the rear of the wheel well.
I know this cause a buddy of mine had it on there and I saw it 1st hand.

Bill Forrest!!............Off-Road Champion.
http://www.geocities.com/zukybill/index.html
 
#9 ·
Okay, so far I see a lot of S/R votes. Brake nosediving is something I can live with.

Since I don't plan to go Rock crawling, S/R is looking better...

Now, what about the ability to attach aftermarket bumpers after the Calmini installation?

Ack

 
#10 ·
hey ack, how was that ride to chicago after melt. hope it was enjoyable. i ran a calmini s/r for years. didnt seem to have any real problems with it. but i can drive a mack with 3/4 turn of play in steering wheel n not bother me. if i were to do it over again, i wouldnt mess with the s/r though. i enjoy my comfort toooo much. i would definately go with a spoa. rides much better i personally believe. BUT for a spoa, you need to be able to weld or have somebody weld for ya unless you get a *bolt on spoa*. a spoa will handle a lil bit differently, but if done properly n you got good bushings in the frame n springs. its nothing to worry bout. just realize that you got a taller rig n take time to get used to it. remember, its not a vette. dont do 80mph through the city. with a spoa, you are setting yourself up approx 4.5 inches. if you ever decide to run larger tires, the hard work is done already. like i said, i would go spoa. true, i have s/r on mine right now, but thats cause the kit i bought was designed with s/r incorperated into it from the manufacturer.
just my .o2...
BiLLy bOb


Do unto others as you want done to you!
If you pack it in, pack it out!
 
G
#11 ·
Cut your wells out, geez... everyone is so ready to fabricate this and that and re-invent things, but no one wants to take the time to cut a wheel well. /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif

I run 31's on mine with the Calmini s/r and if I were to put the proper size bump stop in I wouldn't touch the rear of my fender sicne I took the torch, grinder, and sander to mine. And it looks good too!

And it will only get better when the axle gets moved forward after this rear spring conversion on the front is installed. YJ springs also move it forward I believe, so no more rear fender rub period.

As for the ride, I have never been in a SPOA on the road, but I have been warned that the on road ride of a SPOA is horrible by way of comparison.

On my next Samurai I will do the SPOA, but for my daily driver that will never see better than a barely 3 star trail, the s/r stays.

I don't know about aftermarket bumper installs though, I made my own tube up front that bolted right up to the frame, no where near bothering the s/r or a SPOA if I chose to do one.
Neal the Zukiguy

"If it is '...a Jeep thing...' I hope it isn't contagious"
 
#12 ·
As long as the bumber mounts to the inside of the frame rails, they should work. I would check with the manufacturer if in doubt. I have a home brew bumper that mounts just like the Smittybilt bumper and it works fine without any mods. The Wheeler bumper states that it might not fit with some S/R's so give them a call if you are considering their's.

All Good Medicine,
Crow

Creator, everything we do leaves a track. May our tracks be ones we would want you to see and others to follow......

 
#13 ·
BillyBob:

Chicago was a bust. I got lost even though my 14-year-old navigator had a perfect grip on things... Guess I should listen every once in a while! We were looking for a Dave & Buster that had the latest version of Mech Warrior (I am a closet virtual reality gamer). It was just another arcade joint -- bummer.

To SPOA or not to SPOA, That is the question...

I appreciate all the comments made here. I'll place them in my lift folder and do a bit more pondering.

Thanks all!

Ack

PS check your personal mail, BillyBob


 
#15 ·
ive had the calmini S/R and 30" tires on my zook for over a year now and it has really been one of the greatest mods i have done... it has greatly improved the ride and i havent noticed any brake dive... it does exactly what calmini says it will do...

Steve /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif
'88 Suzuki Samurai
'99 Toyota Tacoma (Tow Vehicle)
bassmstr99@aol.com
Texas A&M Off-Road
FTAC of 2003
 
#16 ·
I like my 4.5 SPOA. It does ride differently though. My ride is rough but I'm running skinny Super Swampers that have too much air in them. I don't think I'd go with the 5.5 SPOA for fear of axle wrap. I know someone with a 5.5 and their springs are getting all torn up (I won't mention names!) My next Sami is going to have a RADICAL suspension but I'm not talking about it yet...

AARRRRRRRG! 1987 Red JX 'vert, 4.5 BREEZE SPOA, SJ410 T-case (not sure how I like it), 29 Super Swampers (31 BFG M/T knock offs - eventually) AARRRRRRRG!
 
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