Being new to the sport, I went out and got Calmini's 2" prerunner lift kit for my '96 rodeo. I immediately saw the need for additional lift, and I've read up a bit more now...
I purchased a used calmini lift to get the upper control arms (I got a great deal, or otherwise I'd have just purchased a spacer and done a "ball joint flip"

here's my question... should I still flip the ball joint on the calmini control arms, or would this cause problems in the opposite direction? I'm planning on doing the install tomorrow, and I'm trying to cover all my bases.

I also purchased a Darlington "springz upgrade" to get that additional 1" of lift in the rear.

I know, 3" won't be enough either, but it should do for now....
thanks for your advice,
Paul

first understand, flipping the balljoints or installing bj spacers even with the stock arms does not provide any additional lift, only corrects geometry from lifting. cranking the t-bars is the only way to lift your front end.

i'm not that familar with the calmini arms, but it was my understanding the design of the arms positioned the balljoint lower down than stock thus effectively doing the same as the bj flip and spacer on stock arms. so flipping the balljoint on a calmini arm would take you even furthur and probably not be what you want.

-Rob

thanks Rob ... your explaination is much clearer than I'd have done <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> this is my understanding as well...

but it was my understanding the design of the arms positioned the balljoint lower down than stock thus effectively doing the same as the bj flip and spacer on stock arms. so flipping the balljoint on a calmini arm would take you even furthur and probably not be what you want.

this is what I was wondering about... thanks for confirming my uninformed newb suspicions <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />
Paul

As mentioned above, you won't need to do the BJ flip with the Calmini arms as they essentially so the same thing. I just installed the "Springz Upgrade" myself and initially got close to 3" of lift which has settled to a nice 2.5" now. The amount of lift the "upgrade" provides varies on each vehicle, but I imagine you'll get closer to 3" than 1". Good luck with the install!

Same here......... and that is with just the Springz Upgrade and stock shackles.

Doing the bj flip with the Calmini arms will probably be counter-productive. The point of either one is to allow the truck to be aligned within specs........ and the combination of both will probably take it too far in the other direction.

I was speaking to someone about this a few weeks ago. This individual said that he has a few customers who are riding the Calmini control arms with a ball joint flip and spacers. This gives the front end a bit more down travel. I've got my control arms set up in the stock fashion, but I'll probably try flipping them when I redo my front end as the weather heats up. Although I'm not sure what this will do for the alignment, I'm sure that it can be brought back to where it's supposed to be. I plan on holding off on the spacers for now, but if it looks like I can get more out of my front end without pinching the boots on the tierods or maxing out the ball joints, I'll proabaly give them a try too.

For what it's worth...according to Calmini, the only difference between their control arms and the stock control arms is that the Calmini arms are longer.

Sammy is correct. I have the bedreaded blue A-Arms and I have the BJ Flip and Spacer. I measured before and after and it does give you more travel. No I haven't had any issues with alignments. The only issues that I have had is with keeping the Pivot Shaft Bolts tight, but then again that's another story. BTW, when are we(the ZUTAH Wheelers) going to see that puppy on the trails around here? We got a run coming up. http://zutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=208 Your rig even in stock form is more than capable of handling this trail......well that is if there isn't any mud. Then if there is non of us are capable. OK, maybe Steve. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I tried to go to moab w/ you guys, but it wasn't in the cards... my wife would've killed me if I went out last saturday ( new years ) plus, I really need a refresher course on off-road driving... its been way to long)

therefore, I've kinda been waiting for better weather - I grew up in socal, so I'm much mure used to desert running than snow and mud. Feb will depend on the weather and my sched... but if all the stars allign, I'll be there.

man, that might be a problem for me then... hope I can find where I put the stock shackles! (I currently have about 2" lift using calmini shackles and stock springs. I'm looking for approx 3" total lift, because, and correct me if I'm wrong, 3" is about the max you can safely get out of the front end... is this correct?

AFAIK you can get a little more than 3". The 3" guys, as I recall, are the 95 and earlier. 95.5 and up should get another inch or so. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />