Author: Admin iZook

 with Bill Johnston The Stance One of the most important details that need to be addressed when using ‘larger than stock’ tires and any kind of lift is the overall usability of the suspension, and the finished ‘Stance’ of the vehicle. When we started with this vehicle, it ran a set of 2.5″ OME springs […]

    with Bill Johnston    We are officially into the buildup of a seemingly stock 88.5 Samurai. When the vehicle was first purchased, it was done with the provision from the finance director (FD) that it would always look stock. A few pieces were added, but they were factory options so it didnt upset […]

  This shows the Cj springs bolted to the relocation brackets in the front and the M/L’s in the rear.         Another view showing the M/L shackles         The rear is “U” bolted to the bottom of the springs.         With the axles bolted in and […]

with Jim Bova Project #2 Returns!           This shows why after doing a spring over conversion steering correction is needed. The Drag Link looks quite close to the spring         Here is the much maligned Z link.     Editors Note: This is one area not to skimp! […]

with Jim Bova Project #2 Returns! Front Spring Over With Rear Springs With the rear SPOA done on #2 it was time to move on to the front. There is a little more work involved in the front with the steering. There are a few  ways to address the steering issue, cross over steering , […]

  Page two.   Since these photographs were taken I have added Calmini’s steering stabilizer/truss and idler arm bracket. I upgraded all the fasteners and performed minor grinding to fit the idler arm bracket to the later Sidekick/Tracker/X-90 platform. Here’s what I did in the back: Cut the springs shorter, closed the last coil by […]

   with Lance K. Schall Something X-tra Why lift a Suzuki X-90 and turn it into a trail vehicle? Well, the easy answer would be: Why not? Its a Sidekick underneath and Calmini has responded to an enthusiastic following and markets suspension lift kits for Sidekicks. I have had a Calmini lifted Samurai for 16 […]

    A case study in tinkering run amok… by TD (Troy) Graham   Part 3: Fun with Mock-ups. Misery loves company: At this point, a little introduction is in order… where “me” becomes “we”; the other half of “we” being my buddy Tom Wilhelm.  He is the President of General Crafts in Goshen, Indiana, […]

Custom Stretch Samurai – Long Wheel Base Clone + Propane, Gallery of Pictures.     08/11/2010