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Vitara live axle conversion - what springs?

 
 
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RichMayo
Just got MTs


Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Odometer: 413
Location: Yate


1997 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 12:41 pm    Post subject: Vitara live axle conversion - what springs? Reply with quote

Hi Folks,

What springs do folks use when doing a live axle conversion on vitaras? I've got calmini +3" on the front at the moment. Wondering if they will be too stiff considering the difference between a wishbone levering on them vs the behavior of a live axle. Figure there is going to be some weight reduction too with front axle becoming unsprung weight.

Thanks.
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Munkee
Off-Road Guru


Joined: 30 Mar 2008
Odometer: 1505
Location: Hampshire


1999 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They'll be WAAAAAAAAY too stiff. They're around 400lb, and you'll want around 200 - 250lb.

I'd be looking at jimny front springs.

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Steve

In America, some fundamental Christians believe that the world is only 5000 years old, In England, some of us drink in pubs older than that.
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mike328
Articulating


Joined: 10 Dec 2014
Odometer: 793
Location: Suffolk!



PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 9:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

IIRC range rover classic v8 front springs are around 150lb? and a vit has got to be lighter than that so would need even softer.....

Jimney would be my first bet too.

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Snap On: Turning drawers into status symbols since 1920.
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RichMayo
Just got MTs


Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Odometer: 413
Location: Yate


1997 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent thanks folks.
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Mr Tyre
Mr Tyre


Joined: 17 Jun 2002
Odometer: 4957
Location: Darlington Co Durham



PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 2:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Range Rover springs are 133 LB front 150 LB rear.
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RichMayo
Just got MTs


Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Odometer: 413
Location: Yate


1997 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 3:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tried googling didn't find anything official to say Jimny would be rated at. Did find someone claiming 120lb but not sure where they got that info. I might have an option of some standards ones coming up. It may not cost me anything to try them at least.
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suzukivit1
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Joined: 15 Dec 2010
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:34 am    Post subject: . Reply with quote

i have focus estate rear springs on the front of my sas vitara they are a bit soft with the diesel engine but ok with petrol, they are however long i have moved the spring perches outside the chassis rails and they sit equal hight to them, i had rover 620 rears on the back of my truck with astra shocks that worked very well.
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RichMayo
Just got MTs


Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Odometer: 413
Location: Yate


1997 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The calmini rear springs should be fine shouldn't they?

I've still got the petrol in there so i'll look into focus springs. I think if anything i'll be moving the perches out also.
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rory-ray
Winch Assistant


Joined: 15 Nov 2012
Odometer: 76
Location: Bristol/Dundry


1998 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

@suzukivit1

Id love to see and have some info on how you done your sas conversion, I've got a sami axel in the garage but don't know were to begin with it.


However much I google it theres no proper information on it just finished builds or ones running leaf springs!

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1998 Vitara Hardtop Currently In Pieces In The Garage.
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RichMayo
Just got MTs


Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Odometer: 413
Location: Yate


1997 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think he's got landy axles on his from what I understand. I know what you mean about information. There's not really a complete build thread that I've found with really good photos from many angles.

One thing you could do is google the Calmini SAS kit. With some careful glancing at their pictures and the fitted kit you can pretty much work out how it goes together. I think if you get really lucky you can find a link to the instruction manual or that kit.

I've got an offroad only vit with a sami axle on fox shocks. I didn't build it myself - but you could take a look at that?

It's up in Gloucester at the moment but I think it'll be down at mine at some point later this year. It needs some work doing to get it better setup tbh. The rear arms are way too short for the lift on it so you get all kinds of crazy steering effects under flex. It's a bit "leany" too. Plan was to use it to get into trials so all these kind of things need improving :S

Might at least give you an idea of the radius arms/panhard/steering setup though.

One thing I've noted is the difference in width between a sami axle and the rear vitara. You have to run pretty decent spacers (or otherwise) at the front to get it equivalent front to back. The ones that came on it were pretty massive and I had to take them off to meet some club regs. (put smaller ones back on the front to try and even it up)
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rory-ray
Winch Assistant


Joined: 15 Nov 2012
Odometer: 76
Location: Bristol/Dundry


1998 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 1:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah I've seen the calmini kit, not that I'm being a drybread but I really don't fancy spending £1500 + on something if I could help it.


I wouldn't mind seeing what you got already just to get a idea, I know I need 25mm spacers each side to compensate for the smaller track of a sami axel.


I should really just stick 2 wheels on the sami axel strip out my front end and place it underneath to get a better idea in my head, I know its been done quite a few times but as said there isn't much clear information about it

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1998 Vitara Hardtop Currently In Pieces In The Garage.
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RichMayo
Just got MTs


Joined: 04 Feb 2013
Odometer: 413
Location: Yate


1997 Suzuki Vitara

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah it's a fair wedge to pay.

I'll let you know when its down at mine. I've got spacers about that size on my road vitara. When I get around to my axle swap they'll be going spare. You could have a couple of those for a less than new price.
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suzukivit1
Just got MTs


Joined: 15 Dec 2010
Odometer: 297
Location: Scotland



PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 12:50 pm    Post subject: . Reply with quote

i did have a fairly long build thread on shropshire suzuki but the pictures are not there.
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