I've been researching suspension lifts and I'm trying to decide whether to get a Calmini or AC lift. I'm new to all this but have done a lot of research. Do any of you have advice?

If i were to assume right, you are going to hear a lot of calmini bashing.
But here's my personal experience:
I have the calmini shackles and not even a year later the powdercoat is almost completely off. That is kinda disapointing. That seems to happen to everybody.
on a positive note, i like their blue color. :biggrin:

As far as AC, i have heard nothing negative about their product.

Overall, the consensus will probably tell you to buy AC.

So far, I'd recommend the Articulator Suspension from A/C...or the SLR suspension, over the Calmini.

If you do a 3" SL, remember, you'll need to do a steering kit too.

The steering doesn't have to be from the same company, they're interchangeable.

I have the Calmini Steering Kit with an SLR UCA for example.

A HUGE amount of people have had MAJOR problems, historically, with the Calmini steering kit, mine's been fine though.

NO ONE has had a problem with SLR's kit, or L&P's kit.

SLR's kit is more $, but is bullet proof, and is defrayed by your core's (The list price for the SLR kit parts is reduced when you send them your old parts in exchange...lowering the total dramatically.

If you lift and don't do the steering upgrade, your stock steering can last anywhere from weeks to months, and as long as a year or so, mostly due to the more acute angles, and/or larger tires, and, pot luck. Most people can go around 6 months before its vital.

You can also mix and match, I have a combination of Teraflex, A/C/Deaver, SLR, Bilstein, and Calmini parts at present.

I started with an SLR front suspension, and a Calmini rear suspension/steering kit....and evolved as new options opened, etc.

The SLR UCA's give more travel than Calmini's UCA's...which give only OEM front suspension travel, merely allowing alignment at the higher ride height.

I've heard that A/C's Articulator package gives the same front travel as SLR's, and their REAR suspension gives WAY more, due to the Revolver Shackles it includes.

I have the Revolvers, wow...major rear travel...as a matter of fact, unless you modify the drive shaft and cross memebrs, etc...it's IMPOSSIBLE to get MORE travel than the Revolvers can give you.

:D


http://xterrafirma.com/albums/TJs-Pics-ECXC-2006/Flexed_from_rear.sized.jpg

(Revolvers Partially Flexed)

:D