Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

or get 2 sets of fangs from discount auto parts for like a total of 30 bucks use the farthest bottom hole and weld a square bracket in the center....then cut the remainder off the bottom...thats the cheapest I can think of

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

If you want 2" of lift with shackles you will needf 4" longer shackles. DON'T even think about it.
Take your ear muffs off and listen to what the board says.
Alfie.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

I've made my own shackles (7.2in) and it works fine for my configuration. I have 215/75 15 BF muds in 2" backspaced wheels. The ride (in/off road) is fine except for the fact that the steering keeps on pulling to the right. Thats because it changes the steering angle, but no big deal.
Although I'm upgrading to SPOA, I think its a good start.
My impressions are: They fit perfect rear but not so good front (because of springs lenght), sou u could make some shackles rear and a Add-a-leaf front.
Just want to make clear I'm not saying its better than the other solutions people pointed, but its sure is cheaper. Also, I see no point in buying one, just make yours. I have a drawing on how I did mine that may help you.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

hey sean d., i am interested in that used set of add=a=leaves. thanks, tommy

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

That might be a stupid idea but... If it's mainly for looks (and there's nothing wrong with that) why don't you just go for a 2" body lift? That would be cheap and won't affect ride or steering angles.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

A Calmini 2" Shackle Reversal might be the ticket for you. Many people who have it, especially those who drive a lot on the road, love it. I loved mine.

It's all bolt on, and reuses your stock springs, making install very easy. Ask around and check out that option thoroughly.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

I've had the 2" Calmini shackle reversal for three years now.... Some off-road, never rock crawling. great ride with their Doetch shocks... Very easy system to install.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

How does the shackle reverse work in terms of flex. My understanding is that the s/r is known for better handling, but will it improve the trucks offroad capabilities? Also, can you use a rear-up-front kit in conjunction with the s/r? One last question, What will I have to have to go with the s/r kit, shocks, steering, etc?

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

I've had the S/R on my zook for a little over 2 years now. very close to one of my best investments (4.16 gears are up there too)... it was easy to install, and rides a hell of a lot better than stock... if nothing else it will improve the off-road capabilities by allowing the use of larger tires... not sure how much it affects flex, but i imagine that it's not very much...

i did nothing for my steering, and its fine... a little bump steer, but not enough to worry about... for shocks i went to western auto and got the cheapest shocks that i could find...

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

Also, can you use a rear-up-front kit in conjunction with the s/r?

Yes...but.... Don't go by the instructions. With the Calmini s/r, you can't use the relocator pad so you must drill the spring pack. Not an easy task even with a cobalt bit. I just did this mod and I'm not sure how it effects caster angle. I did get some lift as well as moved th axle forward an inch.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

<DON'T even think about it. >

I agree. This is NOT the way to go. Forget about caster angles and on road handling.
If you want a rig to handle like a squirrel or have a death wish, go with the it....

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

raintrack: I wanted a little stouter shackle than stock. The shortest shackle with a center reenforcement needs to be about 3/4" longer than stock which gives about 3/8" lift.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

OK it's obvious most agree longer shackles by themselves aren't the way to go. Cheap, but inherent dangers. Here's why:

In the front, for every inch of shacle extension, you lose about 1/2 degree of castor. Castor is what stableizes your steering and gives you that positive feedback from the road at the steering wheel. To lift your rig 2" you will need AT LEAST a 4" longer than stock shackle. ( springs tend to colapse a bit doing this, its not obvious to me why this happens, I just see it all the time.) You just lost 2 degrees (or more) of castor, more that half of the 3.5 dgrees a stocker has/needs. You can put in castoring shims to correct it, but it is more money. 30-40 bucks a set from recent ads I have seen.

You lifted the steering box about 2" from stock, and the drag link is at an angle. Now you have the beginings of bump steer. About $100 for a dropped pitman to correct that. So your into it for $140 plus the cost of longer shackles. near $200.

A body lift is about $100 no issues with the steering.

A shackle reversal is about what $200? help me out here some one. Add $100 for the drop pitman. Because the drag link is angled again.

I'm no fan of more that a 1" body lift, but if 2" is all you want, it's certain to have the fewest issues.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

The 2" S/R uses stock springs, so that will be the same. Lose the sway bar and it will flex better. Plus, the 2" S/R retains stock caster angles for correct steering and alignment.

For what you say you want out of the lift, a 2" S/R seems most logical and not that expensive.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

The catch is that the Calmini kit is NOT a 2" lift. It may lift the front end 2", but only lifts the rear end by 1". Unless someone wants to get into that 7.5" shackle length problem, it's lopsided.

Personally, I believe the kit should be advertised as a 1" lift.... but I ain't the one creating ads or monitoring legitamacy though.

Also, since the shackle reverse pushes the tire into the rear of the front fenderwell, you don't get the benefit of running the tires you could from a regular 2" lift.

The original question was "the best 2inch lift" anyway...... not sure what all these comments of 7.5" shackle (NOT GOOD at all), or SPOA kits (5" of lift) is all about. Sticking a newcomer with 7.5" shackles and telling them this is a great setup is not the way to keep folks excited about their Samurai..... much less safe.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

Glenn,

We agree on the 7"+ shackles, but yet again we differ on Steve's S/R. Imagine that.

The sammy, like other trucks, came with the rear sitting higher, especially the soft tops. Those who owned their sammy since new will probably remember this. The rear being higher than the front is common to many trucksand the proliferation of "leveling kits" for pick-ups and such attests to this. Expected load in the rear (be it payload or passengers) is why this is so.

2" longer shackles front and rear only raise 1", because only one end of the sprint is raised. Therefore the center of the truck goes up 1"

The 2" S/R lifts the front a true 2" by lifting both ends of the spring 2". This effects the lift of the rear when extended shackles are put on the rear spring. I do know this, when I installed mine, I got 2" in the front, and a c*nt hair under 2" in the rear. The center of my frame sat 2" higher of the shop floor than when I started. But since my rear already sat higher, my Sammy sat level for the first time in it's life.

I ran 29" tires, and using the correct bumpstops, I never hit my fenderwells.

Although you may detract, the lift does what it claims. And because of that, I recommend it as the best 2" lift.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

I also agree that the CALMINI shackle reversal is the best 2" lift for the money and does ride nice too......

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

The couple of S/R kits we've removed for customers only had shackles that were 2" longer than stock.

2" shackles = 1" lift.

Pump the front up as high as you want (and make that rear bumper hang even lower).... but its still only a 2" shackle in back. If it was a 4" taller shackle, then the kit would be a true 2" lift front and rear..... which to me is how the adds read.

I'm not attacking the quality of the kit, just saying that if someone wants a real 2" lift (front AND rear), this is not it.

 

Re: What\'s The Best Samurai 2\" Lift Kit?

I understand what you are trying to say, Glenn. But I am telling you first hand, when the kit is installed, the center of the frame is 2" taller than before the lift(give/take about ~1/8"). To me, that's a real 2". And it now sits level.

I'm not pulling your leg or being biased. This is what I found. If it's the 1/8" we want to quibble about, then were splitting hairs.