Was originally considering a custom rear spring pack replacement or the ones available through some of the other vendors but after I test drove the CALMINI X a while back I was impressed. At ~ 50% of the cost of the other spring pack replacements or custom it was pretty easy decision for me, plus I actually preferred this design for my application anyway, rather than the 10-14 springs in a pack the others offer.

IMO the on-road ride is much better than when I had the stock pack, with a longer shackle or when I added either a single AAL or a 3 pack.

Off road even more impressive; smooth & controlled with virtually no wheel/axle hop, they flexed so well I didn’t notice I forgot to take the sway bar links off until they day was half over.

Anyway that's my 1 week water cooler review

[Edit] Chuck $299
http://www.purenissan.com/rear_s.htm

Brian

Those look great! Didn't know they had those!

OK, just checked their site and didn't see them? How much $$$? I actually really like my SLR 3 pack, but my left side is riding lower than the right due to my original springs being lower on that side, so someday I might want to get a whole new set.

They are listed under the SAS section.

Which is my next question...can you run these without the SAS or are these simply designed for the SAS kit?

~3.25" lift for me so with a stock shackle might work with a full IFS front lift but check with the Manufacturer on that.

any one know what the weight limit is on these? i plan on buying them when i do my swap but i want to make sure they don't sag too much with the bumper/tire carrier and tools and other gear in the cargo area.

box, are those the new 34's on there?

That's a damn good price!

Now if they'll only make a spring-over version for the Frontier...

Ah, now I see! Yeah, damn good deal! I don't see why they couldn't be used without the SAS. Calmini probably had them made for the SAS system, but that doesn't mean they won't work without it. Just a matter of getting the right shackle length. Worth a call.

Definitely... when I sus-lift there is no way I'm just going to band-aid my sagging stock springs with an AAL. I want brand new spring packs.

If anyone else does this to a non-SAS truck, please post up about it!!!

Questions I'd like to have answered:
1) Is that 3.25" lift with stock shackles, with the regular aftermarket Calmini shackles, or with some newfangled SAS-kit shackles?

2) Are replacement U bolts required? Will the regulgar replacement Calmini ones work?

If the leaves are designed to work with a particular shackle length...the shackles will traditionally be responsible for a good proportion of the wheel travel.

So - You might get the total inches of lift you want...but, maybe not the articulation...as lift leaf only systems traditionally do not articulate as well as leaf/longer shackle combinations.

Food for thought.

I'm calling Calmini in the AM about this. It's exactly what I'm looking for. I'll let you know tomorrow night. If it's fine for non-SAS Xs, I'm ordering it.

Is there any reason not to just use a stock Xterra spring in the spring over position? That should give enough lift to match the front. All you will need is a new positioning stud....

As I recall the spring length for the Frontier and Xterra are different so that would not work.

So - any answers on how much lift the pack gives with the OEM or what Calmini shackles....or, the weight bearing capacity...as in can it last when loaded down by the typical rear bumper carrier, tools, spare parts, armor, etc?

If not, is there a beefed version for extra load situ's?

Called Calmini today. The guy said it's probably for SAS only though he wasn't 100% sure. His thinking was because it's only on the SAS page....

BUMP
It's this or Deaver for me.. Anyone get an answer from CALMINI yet as to wether these'll be fine for their 3" SL or not?

What a moron (not you Jim... the moron you talked to)... of course they are just selling it for the SAS kit... but that doesn't mean it wouldn't work just fine for a non-sas setup (doesn't mean it WOULD work either...) The point is that we need an answer from a technical designer-type guy that knows how much lift you get from the pack etc - not a salesman.

Call and ask for Steve, maybe they could use a guinea/tester or make a slight adjustment for a 3” lift.

With a stock length shackle worth a try with a full 3” lift up front although might have a near stock stance unless you run an aftermarket rear bumper/tire carrier with the extra weight.

My three month review

Still hate the stock rear hanger step think I’m going to cut all the extra off ~ 11 3/4" up to the bushing mount & weld in a strip just before that for support. This way my tire is a lot closer to getting grip on the rock/ledges that I catch on those low riding rear spring hangers. Won't make as much difference on the passenger side with the gas tank but maybe a few inches less?

Rear leaf packs have NOTHING to do with an SAS up front.

There is absolutely no reason why this springpack would function differently because of front suspension.

I could put them on my X! (although they would look funny)

I think the only real question is the length of the shackles that are used with the SAS'd suspension kit.

We know the stock shackles are 3", and every 2" more than that adds an inch of lift, etc.

We know the total lift for the SAS kit, so the difference in lift, attributable to the leaf pack alone, would be the total kit's lift, minus the SAS kit's shackle's contribution.

All the other questions revolve around how much lift from just the leaf pack....and, that's how to find out.

Someone with the SAS - measure eye to eye on the shackle...the rest is easy.



(Assuming that the axle mounting point on the new leaf pack is centered the same as the OEM pack, and not moved fore/aft to compensate for travel, etc...)

You can allways de-arch the spring pack to your desired height if they are too tall.

Or add more weight.



or use shorter shackles.



etc.

The shorter shackle thing seems to be the best option if relevent.

Shackle I’m running is the same one in the 3” CALMINI IFS lift kit & the only one they offer as far as I know ~ 5 ¾” eye center to eye center.

Brian,

I also have the same one.

-Doug

OK then!



The SAS is a 5" lift...the shackles give 1.5" of it, so the leaf pack, by itself = 3.5" of lift.

So - using the SAS leaf pack with the OEM shackles would be a 3.5" rear lift, pretty damn close to the 3" lift up front.

The OEM shackles are about 3" long, so to loose another 1/2" would require a 2" long shackle.

The 3.5" is close enough, especially considering the typical sag over time the rears go through anyway.

Looks like the Calmini SAS kit leaf pack would therefore work with the stock shackles and a 3" lift upfront.

Very interesting...
I only have one question..
What is the Rear Replacement System NP12710 for $425.00?
Will it work on a non-SAS Xterra?

"Basic kits(NP12705) available containing only the springs packs.

Rear replacement system complete(NP12710) with shackles, sway bar disconnects, brake line extensions, U-bolts, shocks and hardware."

Thanks. I dont know how I missed that.

Now has anyone done this? With the xception of the SAS guys?

How long did it take to get the springs and setup in after ordering it?

Did you buy the whole kit and replace everything or just some new U bolts with the new springs?

Did you stick with the standard spring perches or go with something different?

Woody,

Took me about an hour to install the springs. Pretty easy direct bolt-on.

I just purchased the springs, u-bolts (should’nt re-use u-bolts & they need to be bit longer than stock) I cut off the extra that was hanging below the plate so that took another 15 minutes each side. Also provided my own new ½” lock washers.

I already had shocks that would work (ie..longer) but you need to consider that and the bump stop extension if appropriate.

The stock perches and all other hardware is reused.

The kit appears to be a good deal especially if you want to run the quick disco which includes the longer arms need.

Thx Xtoolbox,

Did you use the same length shock as is used on the 3" lift kit? or are they longer than that?

If so - what make/model are you running?

Did you also have to use the brake line extenders?

I’m using these with 1.5” lift shackles so I’m running longer shocks… some old Doetsch 8000 shocks (16/27.5’s) from a previous project that been working well for me.

Yes I’m running the two spacers that come with the SAS kit that raise the brake/ABS lines so they are long enough. With just the springs you maybe ok with the stock stuff but I sure the spacers can't be much $.

Anyone know for sure if they're open this week? Nothing on the phone message saying they won't be, but they're not open NOW (mon 26th 9:30 CA time) and I really need to order up a new spring pack, among other things...

dbax check your pm

Got the spring packs last night . I'm waiting on the "spring perch sliders" to mount them. I'll update the thread soon.

Alright, I've got the new spring packs on the perches and everything's bolted up. However, using the OE shackles has caused the springs to force the shackles backwards to the rear of the truck. I'm going to remove the OE stuff and go back to the Calmini Sachkles. This should force the springs to compress, (not be soo vertical) and prevent them from pushing backwards. I only hope the ass end's not sticking up too far.
I'll let you know..

Dan,
After installing the new rear springpack, can you measure the center of the wheel opening to the ground on both sides for me?
And you are running 32" tires, right?

I'm just comparing getting a new springpack vs. what height I'm at right now. If I actually need it..

Thanks!

33" Bridgestone Dueler Mts
and as for the center of the wheel well down, it'll be different. I rolled back the wheel wells (turned the metal in to raise the clearance height) over two years ago, so they aren't prolly the same height as yours anyhoo.

the height's an unknown right now as the OE shackles are too short and get pushed backwards, so, I'm re-installing the CALMINI shackles and that should hold them in place. I'm hoping the height increase will be a non-factor.. I'll keep posting w/ info as I get it done.

I recommend measuring the bottom of the spring hanger from the frame, to the ground, and then height to center of rear wheel hub, as a reference point in determining rear lift.

It would allow conversion between various tires/pressures and so forth.

Did you put the plastic outside wheel well trim back on after you trimmed the sheet metal? Just curious how it looked afterwards.

I rolled the metal on my grand national rear wheel wells. I can fit 10.5" slicks (or my 275-50r15 street tires) back there now.
I assume that the X would be just as easy to roll for clearance, and the fact that there is plastic trim going back, it should be a lot more forgiving. Hell, I'll probably have to do that after I get the 35's anyway. Thanks for the idea.

I agree with you TJ, measuring from the frame of the leaf spring hangers to the ground would be better for comparision. Thanks!

After you get the calmini shackles back on, shoot me a measurement if possible.
Thanks!

SAS Springpacks and Calmini shackles-


How it all looks (Shock mount/sliders too)-


Rear wheel well metal rolled back-


Distance from front spring hanger bolt center to ground 14 1/2"

Now I can't fit it in the garage anymore Well, that's ok. I'm throwing on the 2" BL this week too..

Nice truck.

Once all of the snow melts (all 24"+ of it) I'll take a measurement of mine just to compare.

Damn! The trimming is CLEAN!! Great job with it. I would never have noticed in those pix. Looks stock only without the plastic wheel well trim.

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Good luck with the body lift. Might want to start spraying down those bolts a week or two in advance.

thanks Chris, I forgot to get this in the pic too though-

WARN XD9000i with 5/16"x125' X-line and honkin' yellow hook

The 2"BL, crawler gears, and front LSD go in later this month..

Dan, Your front suspension will thank you for losing more than 30lbs with the synthetic line.
I put my Masterpull line in back about 3+ years ago, when I got my winch. It is the best thing for recovery. You dont have to fear for your life when winching.

And the T-case gears.. You will be wondering how you were able to wheel without them.. Best money I ever spent on my truck. I wish I did them first!

Enough talk about the DAMN GEARS!!!

At least untill I get mine.

Assholes,

You should have waited on your lift and got the gears instead. Hahahahaaha

Wellll, DAMMIT. There is just so many things I want. Maybe you are right.

And stop laughing at me.

Hum…truck appears almost level even with the longer shackles? Is that correct? Or is the picture/driveway sloped some?

Looks like you installed the military/double wrap on the shackle end rather than front hanger like normal. Wonder if that makes a height difference and maybe why the stock shackles did'nt work? Should work either way with the longer shackles but stock the springs roll under on the shackle & over on the front hanger which supports the weight better. The military wrap adds to that and gives some more insurance if the main breaks.

DBAX you fit 33's with a 3 inch lift or do you have anything else done to ur truck.

Notice the lack of plastic and rolled rear fenders...

Oh come on!!!! Lets you know you are alive!!!! And when you get one of those steel barbs in your hand oh baby THAT is living!!!

nice roll on the fender DBAX. did you use a bat to do it?

No, I hand hammered them and about two weeks later, I saw the bat trick on tv.. Thanks though.

quick question, why in the ealier pics, one shock goes behind, and one goes infront? I always see this on pickup trucks and stuff. Better flex? Stability?

I think *think* that it prevents axel wrap, but I could be totally offbase on that one

I believe you are correct.

The entire X suspension is a direct copy of GMC.

Dan,

Maybe you will slow down when you get the gears. The truck will appreciate a little less throttle.........

When am I getting my sandwich.........

You guy's with lots of spending money. I guess going to Africa set me back in my spending on the truck. I should get it back soon.

Must take it out and play.........

Todd

DBAX does have his springs mounted backwards. Mil wraps go up front, english eyes in back. On my Alcans and my stockers centerpin to eye measurements were different front to back, wonder what that did for axle placement. Either way he will have to pull them out and reverse them.

The english eye on the rear of the spring pack would have more clearance to fit in a shackle, but I think he has enough weight on the truck to flatten the spring pack out a bit, and since the spring is longer than the stock spring, a longer shackle would be needed to prevent the spring from laying the shackle against the frame under full compression.

You're right, dammit. I had new U-bolts (grd 8 & 6 3/4") bent and they came with cutter nuts which are torqued to 65#. Now I've gotta' get new ones ..
You're also correct on the longer shackles keeping the springs from pushing the shackles back. That was my original intent and how I had it set up (w/ OE Shackles) until I saw they'd been pushed back. I put the CALMINI shackles back in and it's fine. The ass sitsup a little but it looks great and the ride's great too.

? for anyone that has installed these new spring packs.

How can you tell which end of the spring pck should face forward. I've seen some of them with 1 clamp on the back and 2 clamps on the front.

However my spring pack has 2 clamps on each end.

Thanks in advance!!!

Not sure what the "clamps" are Woody, but the end with the full wrap, the military wrap, goes into the front spring hangers.

the clamps are more than likely there to keep the leafs from fanning out. thats the way my slr add a leafs are too, and i have also seen people add them to the calmini ones that did not have them.

My spring packs look like the ones on the first post. Looks like 2 military wraps on both sides.

Does the calmini stencil face forward.

Thanks gang.

Aaahh, I see what you mean..
MIlitary wrap refers to the actual leaf end as it encompasses the bushing. It is not the "clamp" or leaf spring keeper.. The clamps are the spring keepers, and as SteelX mentioned, they're there to prevent fanning. The set of springpacks I'd recvd from CALMINI have four(4) total per leafpack. The stenciled CALMINI should go in the back, if they're painting them all the same.. To be safe, just be sure to have the military wrap at the front.

One last thing about these, and using them on a NON-SAS truck. I had the springs on using the CALMINI shackles (the OE are too short) and they worked fine, although they were angled out pretty far. With the addition of a 2" BL yesterday, they are sitting perfectly and the truck looks and handles great. Anyone adding these leafpacks would do well to consider the BL also.

I guess I don't understand. Why would the BL have anything to do with the springs. The BL is all above the frame, so I am having trouble understanding why it would make a difference.

I don't know why, but it appears the shackles are sitting more vertical to the frame.
It's good either way

Well, if it is better, than it is good no matter what the reason.

Thanks Gang,

Put the spring pack on yesterday and am sitting pretty. Regarding the direction of the springs the Calmini name goes forward and also the front bolts will only fit in one end - the rear is too tight for the springhanger bolts.

Raises the back up somewhat but have yet to put the tire carrier and skid plates back on the truck.

Woody,

Sounds like you may have things mixed up?…in my first picture the military double wrap (left end on the pix) goes on the front spring hanger, other end goes to the shackles.

Apparently a batch came with the bushing sleeves on the wrong end and some unwittingly installed them according to the only bolt size that fit those sleeves. The bushings holes are the same size just tap out /swap the sleeves and you should be good if that's your situation?

Now have my Calmini SAS leaf pack installed as well...see the suspension section and the "relocation of rear shock mounts" thread for pics and such...

Well all right. My SAS spring pack showed up today!

Now, I was going to wait for the UB Skidderz to put them all on together, but kind of want to put the springs on tonight in prep for this weekend's trip to Death Valley. Overeager, party of one.

My question is this, Xtoolbox mentioned a while ago that, in his case, the stock u-bolts were a bit short, but Calmini said they were okay for length.

Any input? Are the stockers usable?

Bobby,

Not recommended to reuse u-bolts but the stockers will work just barely but you may need to use lock nuts only instead of regular ones with lock washers (which are thicker). I ran that setup temporarily until CALMINI sendt me the new gold longer ubolts and nuts.

Pretty sure they stock them and sell a bunch so I would call & ask for david who's knows what to send you.

Brian

Damn...a bunch of us are now using the SAS packs on non-SAS'd trucks...Calmini should start advertising them as just full replacement packs...

Well, the packs are on. What a difference.

Brian, the u-bolts on my X must be a bit longer. While the use of the stockers is temporary until the UB Skidderz and new u-bolts arrive, I was able to use the lockwashers and nuts with full thread engagement. Glad the skidderz are coming because somewhere along the line, I smashed the crap out the the shock mount; I barely got the shock off and on. Longer shocks will be in order as well, I think.

Have a decent rake despite the 200 or so pounds of rear Shrock, spare tire and jack.

Always fun modding in the dark.

I was thinking of running those with my AC lift kit.. Would those leafs work and level out right if I was using the AC articulator lift kit??

Probably...if those leaves used the stock shackles or a 1" longer lift shackle to give 3" of lift...as the Revolvers in the Articulator Package add 0.75" of lift, being 1.25" longer than stock.

IFS FOLKS! Would their be any issues running the shocks from a 3 In Suspension lift with these springpacks?

Thanks!

RX

Shocks will work but you won’t get all the travel you could out of the springs because they don’t extend long enough; about 3" too short for that.

One thing I noticed is that some of the newer sets I've seen of these springs are slightly different than my set which was one of the originals. Seems like they don't get as much lift or something? In over a year mine really have'nt sagged either.

X2. While I like the way they ride and flex, mine have sagged a bunch. So much so that I'm thinking about cutting them apart and adding an AAL to them.

Parking my X next to Xtoolbox's, his with gear in the back and mine unloaded, you can tell mine have sagged. By the post above, I've only had them on a short while but, in all fairness, I probably carry more weight than most what with the second spare, three fuel cans, fridge, gear for 7-day runs, etc.

As far as shocks go, my 3" Rancho's from before are a bit short, but work okay. Even though I've moved the shock mount up with UB skidderz, it's still not enough. I plan on changing to short body Bilstein 7100s in the near future.

Hope this helps.

Bobby - Less then 3 months and your already considering an AAL - Hmmmh sounds like a bait and switch on the part of Calmini. Anyone else experiencing saggy A@@ syndrome with these packs?

RX

I wouldn't go that far. Like I said, I load up pretty good and don't shy away from the 'froadin and that probably played a role. The onus is on me, I cheaped out -- the price on these things is great -- but in hindsight I should've gone to Alcan while I was in Co last time but was trying to save a buck.

That being said, I was expecting things to settle a bit, but not that much. I called Calmini to ask them about it and they said they hadn't gotten any other calls like that. Makes sense, because there's not too many of these things out there and if there was some widespread problem, I'm sure people would be bitching up a storm on XOC somewhere. It would have been nice if they'd be willing to at least entertain the notion that the springs could've settled more than they should have, but hey, this is the real world. I don't have before-and-after reference photos or measurements.

My comments in this post are my own and I'm not trying to stir up any shit. Again, they ride great and as things stand, the unloaded stance looks good and they flex well. Would I buy them again given how I use my X, well, live and learn. Not every part works in every situation. I'm geared up for expedition-style travel and I should not have opted for an off-the-shelf part. They are working reasonably well thus far given what I'm doing, albeit with a pre-runner stance at times.

The guy who took the call at Calmini could've been a bit more helpful, tho. I mean, he tells me to go take some pics of the difference and send them for review. Umm, yeah, I'm going to hop in my time machine and snap some pics of what it looked like before...

It's my understanding that everyone that does an SAS with those things have them sag within a very short time frame...most either do a Spring over axle on them, or switch to a custom made leaf pack from SLR or Alcan. So, I'm not sure how "Calmini couldn't have heard much about the issue". Of course, like you, these are my opinions, your results may vary. I'll update you on it when I get them on during the SAS next month. I'm using them with an SLR 2" Shackle though..so perhaps that will keep it more even in the rear. I remember seeing Kaiser's SAS pics and his was ass saggy right after he put it on the Xterra. Ultimately, I'll either go with an Alcan pack after a few months, or SOA the Calmini packs and modify the rear driveshaft.

That's been my experience. I did my SAS about 3 months ago and the rear end is about 2" down from where it started. I have the front end as low as it can safely go (4 threads showing above the coilover locknut) and it's still a little bit higher than the rear.

I don't know what I should do... fab up some longer shackles? I have a Frontier axle housing available I could SOA with - but then the back would be way high.

How is the spring pack performance wise? Do you give any weight information to Calmini or is it a standard rate off the shelf thing?

In hindsight would any of you have purchased a custom pack or gone the same route and saved the cash?

I wonder if part of the "Sag" is that the 2" SLR shackle only gives an inch of lift?

(IE: Its 2" longer than stock, not giving 2" of lift...)

So you install a spring pack expecting X" of lift, with lift shackles, expecting another 2" of lift...but its a half inch lower than its supposed to be,...etc?



I say this, because we measured the 2" SLR shackle against the 1.5" Calmini shackle...and the Calmini 1.5" Shackle was alot longer than the SLR 2" Shackle.

I'm not saying you're wrong...but I replaced some 1" lift shackles from SLR with their H Braced 2" shackles, and I got a good amount of lift out of them...it actually caused the Xterra to sit a little ass high...and the difference between the old and new shackle was about an inch and a half as far as lift height.

But...at the same time..isn't it right that you don't want to go with too big of a shackle (i.e. a custom made one to give say 3" of lift) as that puts more stress on the leaves and can flatten them quicker?

SOA seems like the only viable solution in the end...if you SOA on a stock Xterra rear axle, you'll gain about 4-6" of lift after you're done...you have to modify the rear driveshaft (I think it needs to be lengthened by about 2" from the last I had heard to keep from popping out), and depending on how you want the shocks mounted, you may or may not have to modify or move those mounts...however, you don't have to get a Fronty rear axle to do so.

FWIW TJ, I'm running the Calmini shackle so, no, the lack of lift was not from that. The sag happened quickly. I've never had a leaf pack go like that on me, but I had just chalked it up to the loads.

my calmini packs have sagged to and it happened pretty quickly after i did the SAS conversion. my front is definately higher than the back and i can't lower the front anymore than it is now. i need to either re arch these springs, add an AAL which i don't think will give me the lift i want or buy a need set of springs, which would suck. i was going to call calmini this week about it but after reading some of these posts, i' don't think it will do me any good.

Have either SLR or Alcan make you a 5" or 6" rear spring pack, and just be done with it...either that or you can SOA and solve the problem...but that will cost you just about the same in parts and rear driveshaft modification. Alcan or SLR springs made custom for you may just be the option though...probably cost you around 5 bills.