Calmini Steering System Installed

Finally, after a 6 month wait I received and installed my Calmini steering system. With the exception of a couple installation issues (AKA dumbassedness) that required us to pretty much do the installation twice, everything went well. Next one would be a cinch; it's really not a difficult job.

It's too early to fully evaluate the system, but it does look to be exceptionally well designed and built and I don't expect to have any problems with it. I haven't had an alignment yet so I can't give a final verdict on the handling either. The truck was dangerous to drive when I left Schludwiller's house (way too much toe in!), but I did come home and reduce the toe in quite a bit and now it drives great! Turn in response is much quicker than factory and it definately feels different. Rrdstarr said it felt like Rack and Pinion, and I have to agree to that to some extent. It's definately tighter than before and responds more quickly. I believe it takes less turning of the wheel to get to full lock too, but I need to check a stock truck to see how many wheel turns that takes.

I added two new Nissan tie rod assemblies to the package so total cost was about $650. Not bad, IMO. I'll do a full writeup later but here are some pictures for now.

http://www.pnwx.net/gallerytest/album07/DSCN0084_001.jpg

http://www.pnwx.net/gallerytest/album07/DSCN0086_001.jpg

http://www.pnwx.net/gallerytest/album07/DSCN0087_001.jpg

http://www.pnwx.net/gallerytest/album07/DSCN0091_001.jpg

Very nice!

I got a look at Huey's (on XOC) yesterday, and I must say I'm pretty impressed. This will be my next "large" mod as soon as my better half can be convinced it's for safety reasons.

Cheers!,
-John

Just tell her you're drifting into oncoming traffic because your centerlink is so worn out.

BTW Chuck, can you resize those pictures to 640x480?:p

Originally posted by Schludwiller

BTW Chuck, can you resize those pictures to 640x480?:p

NO! :finger: :rolleyes:

That is a great looking system. I'm sure it will work terrific for you. Congrats on the install and have fun wheeling it again.

Just thought I'd bring this back to life and give an update after 7 months with the system.

Since I installed the SS, I have driven approximately 17K miles. Admittedly, I haven't done a ton of offroading, but I have had a couple offroad incidents that hammered the froint suspension pretty good. So far I have not had a single problem with the system. I tightened the idler arm once and I grease the centerlink ends once in awhile, but other than that, there has been nothing to fix and I don't see anything that would appear to be worn or defective in anyway.

Two thumbs up to the Calmini SS at this point! :bigthumb: :bigthumb:

nice to hear as i will be ordering one hopefully in october. any helpful extras you can send my way before i do this would be great.
thanks.

No problems with my SLR stering system either in case anyone is curious. And I might have offroaded a bit more than Charles with it at this point (I installed it right before going to Moab).

As for tips. Make sure you have a pitman arm puller before you start, and measure the distance between the tie rods before you remove them so you can get close to your original alignment after you're done. You should still get an alignment, but you won't be driving toe'd in at least.

I can honestly say that my CalMini steering has performed admirably well. It's first test was a crawl test in west Florida. Then I took it to Ocala and drove it over trees and wash-out ruts with the ATs in place. Once it survived the second test, I then put on my 32" Swampers and beat the living begeezus out of it with the lockers engaged. Through all of this, the steering has performed flawlessly. I haven't even phased the IA bushings and like the Energizer Bunny, it keeps going and going. I am now getting ready to take it out to west Florida again with the Swampers on it for another hard test. At this point I am 100% confident it will survive. I now go out into the woods with no worries whether I will destroy steering components while out. That confidence in my truck alone was worth every dime of the steering system.

Originally posted by Schludwiller
No problems with my SLR stering system either in case anyone is curious. And I might have offroaded a bit more than Charles with it at this point (I installed it right before going to Moab).

Right there with ya, Schlud....been very happy with with my SLR. But I've been very impressed with the performance that I've seen of the Calmini setup.