silver97ex Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) Hey guys. I am about an hour away from ordering the Calmini 3" SL for my 95 Pathfinder. I searched and saw that there were a lot of mixed reviews. I like the idea of having a complete kit and getting everything from the same place in case of any problems. I also saw a lot of good things about RC upper control arms with JGC rear coils for a lot cheaper. I am new to the whole lifted truck thing (I come from a lowered turbo civic). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance Edited February 11, 2009 by silver97ex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey.T Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 I have the Calmini 3" kit, only thing i dont like is the Squeak... I would suggest if you go with Calmini, have the UCA drilled Tapped and add a grease zerk fitting... the RC UCA's come with the Zerk installed. I too liked the fact it was a Kit... UCA's, T-bars are a little stiff, rear springs and drop down bracket.... I might go as far as to suggest using the original T-bars... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 well i wouldnt time stamp when you are going to buy stuff 1st off...check and make sure you're getting what you want before you get it. if you have the $ and can deal with the squeaky bushings (from what i've read on calmini) then go that route but if your on a budget tehn do the JGC and RC lift you could always get the trailmaster lift... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver97ex Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 I'm not trying to put a time on it but I finally got the money as soon as the check clears so.... I will check out the trailmaster kit also. I don't think the squeak would kill me since there are already other squeaks throughout the 197,xxx mile chassis already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 IIRC I read somewhere that calmin has started putting zerks on the UCA's because so many ppl had squeaky complaints. x2 on the T-bars. Aftermaket t-bars have higer spring rates (calmin +20% & +30% on the other big brands) I'd keep the camini bars if your planning on a heavy winch bumper up front. then you can put them in to compensate for the extra weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92Pathmaker Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 The Calmini uca's won't squeak if you use a marine grease with lithium. My pathy came with the Camini uca's and the previous owner (Earth1) tried a few differant lubes and found it to work the best. I haven't heard a squeak since I have had it. You just have to grease them about every 6 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I had problem with squeaky poly bushings in Calmini lift; I fixed it with industrial grade teflon based lube. Now 3 years w/o squeak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver97ex Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 Thanks for the input guys, I think I am going to order the kit as soon as my check clears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver97ex Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but I have the kit and the plan is to install it tomorrow. I was just wondering if anyone that has installed it has any pointers for me. Tricks to make it easier? Things to look out for? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 use teflon grease for the control arm bushings -glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver97ex Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Do the upper ball joints have to be pressed in? A quick reply would be greatly appreciated as it is already apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daver123 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 No the upper ball joints are a tapered fit, you will likely need a ball joint fork, if you dont have one as i remember they are really cheap and worth getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxtrot044 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 hows the lift coming? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeV Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Love my Calmini lift, I didn't index the torsion bars right the first time (off by an inch) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver97ex Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 All installed, I have to re-index the t-bars as well, front sits a bit low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beavis0076 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Lets see some pics! I am thinking about one on the near future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Careful about raising front end too much; my install did same thing at first, when I tried to level it out ,the front axels were cranked too high . The CV angles were so acute that I started getting problems with them. I called Calmini and they said that a good rule of thumb is to have no more then 1" space between upper control arm and its' upper bump [stock] stop. Anymore then this and you risk damaging CV joints. Over time the lift has leveled out some, probably because the rear springs have compressed a little. Anyway, it's all good because when I load up the rear end with gear the extra weight levels it out just about perfectly. Good luck -glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coucoui6 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Careful about raising front end too much; my install did same thing at first, when I tried to level it out ,the front axels were cranked too high . The CV angles were so acute that I started getting problems with them. I called Calmini and they said that a good rule of thumb is to have no more then 1" space between upper control arm and its' upper bump [stock] stop. Anymore then this and you risk damaging CV joints. Over time the lift has leveled out some, probably because the rear springs have compressed a little. Anyway, it's all good because when I load up the rear end with gear the extra weight levels it out just about perfectly. Good luck -glenn that is my consideration now as i'm wonder if i should get the UCA from 4x4parts.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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