Trying to figure out which one i want - Calmini or Automotive Customizers 3" suspension lift. I do go off road fairly often, and definitely need more wheel travel and actual LIFT, however i also do drive pretty fast on the road, and need good handling caracteristics...

Ride smoothness and quality dont really matter that much...

If you do think that AC components are better, what do you think shocks-wise, Ranchos or Bilsteins? I've been thinking Bilsteins...

Thanx in advance

Calmini would supply direct and is closer2U

.....................
'98 FAD FrontyKC
152,000 miles
Packin ARB'd 9"(5.00)& Tornado w/ Dual Remotes;-)

AC supplies direct, is cheaper, and actually ships in a reasonable time...

But that's besides the point.

I've got the AC lift, with Rancho 5000s. Sure, there are better shocks out there, like the 9000s, since they're adjustable. But the ride with the 5000s make my truck feel pretty much like the stock ride on and off pavement. I don't have any of the "rough ride" people normally associate with a lift kit.

I think both company's lifts are great products. The Calmini's is darn near bullet proof. The AC's is much better than stock. It's just a matter of opinion as to how strong you actually need the UCA. In my opinion, the mounting brackets for the UCA will rip off long before either the Calmini or the AC UCA's will bend/break, so it's not really an issue.

"Know what I would do if I had a million dollars... 2 chicks at one time..."

Talk to both companies and get your best deal. Either lift will have simliar handling characteristics, as they work on the same principle.

For lifting the rear, however, I'd consider an alternative to the short AC AAL. They also sell longer shackles.


1998 Frontier 4x4, 2002 Xterra 4x4, 1983 280ZXT, and a ratty old Sentra
Remember, Grow the Nissan Community and stand up for ORV user rights!
Card Carrying M.E.S.A Member (Modified Easterly SWANKy Associates)

I ordered parts both in stock last week from Calmini and AC, Calminis is here, Ac's are not.

I'm doing the AALS from Calmini and the Arms and Tbars from AC.

so, if i went with AC-version, how do those new Bilsteins compare to Rancho 9000s? I dont really care for the manual/auto firmness adjustment, but how do they compare overall? Off-road vs on-road? Any numbers???

And also, if i did go with Ranchos, is it worth investing into that in-cab shock adjuster? How durable are they? Are those vacuum tubes gonna survive the oregon woods?

I have no idea, i've been running Bils for about two years now....

Someone told me that the Calmini lift does not require any torsion bar crank on the D21 pathfinders, does anyone know if this is true?



95 XE-V6 Pathfinder
79' F150 V8 coils
Sway-A-Way torsion bars
Rancho RS9000's
2 inch body lift
32x11.5 BFG M/T's
15x8 AR-767

i didnt think that ac susp lift would require t-bar crank, cuz it already comes with extended a-arms... calmini is the same way... correct me if im wrong...

The A-arms by themselves do not lift the truck. They simply allow the truck to come into alignment spec after you do crank up the Tbars for added ride height.


1998 Frontier 4x4, 2002 Xterra 4x4, 1983 280ZXT, and a ratty old Sentra
Remember, Grow the Nissan Community and stand up for ORV user rights!
Card Carrying M.E.S.A Member (Modified Easterly SWANKy Associates)

Yup. Without cranking (or reindexing, then cranking) the Torsion bars, you won't get any lift out of just adding the new UCA's. And that goes for Calimini, AC, or SLR's lifts.

"Know what I would do if I had a million dollars... 2 chicks at one time..."

I have been answering this question too many times in other forums. However here and after lays my opinion and suggestion if you may:

I have bought the AC's DELUXE PACKAGE with RANCHO9000's and incab control. However I did not like the AC's Upper A Arms and bought also CALMINI's

I found out that I should have bought from the begining the CALMINI UPPER A ARMS for their strobg durable shape and design.
The Rancho 9000 with incab control from AC, as they have better pricing.
Larger AAL's as DESERT RAT suggested from AC or other fab.

I love the in cab control as in the push of the button the car really changes attitude and ride is very good both in on-road and off-road.

I do not like only the plastic joints of the shocks to pipes. Pipes are connected to RANCHO compressor.

That's for now. If I something comes in mind I repost later... LOL


Lot's of Steroid in...

Anabolic NAVARA

Ooow YES. Also the AC's ball joints are better than CALMINI's and are greasable while CALMINI's are not.

Lot's of Steroid in...

Anabolic NAVARA

Dunno what yer driving...I got my lift 2nd hand from a guy who'd gone solid. Superlift A-Arms and custom coils by Valley Springs He got the stuff thru AC. I added RS9000's and the AC 30%+ torsions.

Those superlift a-arms are suhweet! they got grease fittings so no poly squeek...or rather I can make it go away when it rears its ugly head.

As fo the lift in general I think they are so similar as makes no difference, 'ceprt Calminis is blue. Calmini and AC are both custom shops, AC sells more stuff and I think is more agressive about trying to get more aftermarket stuff available. Calmini is more of a pure custom shop, hince the occasional delays in production.

I've done business with both and will do so again.

Piscator,
We deal in lead, friend.

is there REALLY that much difference between the a-arms (stand corrected on the t-bars btw) - cuz it seems to be a bit cheaper if i just get the whole package bruhaha, rather than the individual parts from different companies... is strength the factor in this case??? and what about the springs - any differences there???

also, to those who have in-cab adjusters : how durable do they look, especially the vaccume tubes? Will they be able to take all the abuse of 4wheeling?