Any current word on a release date?

Waiting, anticipating, drooling!

Seriously - inquiring minds wanna know!

Well...I just placed my order for mine through Xterraparts.com. I was told that they would probably be hearing from Calmini later this week as to the staus of the release.

Let's hope so. My stock steering is getting a bit funky.

I ordered mine as soon as they were announced a few months back, so I should be part of the first shipment. I'm not in a huge hurry to get it; just want to make sure the funds are in my account when they need to be...hehe!

Well....Xterraparts says on their website that delivery is going to be in September now. Let's just hope it's before October. I would like to have this thing on before my next big wheelin' weekend.

I couldn't take the droop in the front anymore and it had settled a bit from the t-bar upgrade, so I nudged 'em up a little higher today. I'm not in quite such a rush anymore - but I'd like to do it before it got cold out! (hint, hint)

Yeah....with the addition of my ARB, I'm getting a bit droopy in the front. Also...it's just the t-bars settling a bit. But my bars need to be re-indexed. I'm just about at the maximum adjustment point. So....I'm holding off on doing all that until the steering setup comes in. If I can do it all in one fell swoop, that would be so much better. To that end....I certainly hope the things start shipping.

From xterraparts.com the date has been pushed back until October now.

Sh*t...

Well....Goddamn!

Calmini strikes again! Hopefully it's the beginning of October. I'd love to get this thing on and wheel with it.

Yeah, hate for you to miss Uwharrie at the end of the month.

Brent

Please shut up.

I respect you and what you have done for the community, but this has really got to stop. I can count on any Calmini talk for you to rip them in some way. Please they are respected here, as is SLR. I am sorry if you feel differently but that is what you created your site for, please use it and not XOC. You don't like the fact that a company wants to test there own product out more before they release it? Shocking.

ALAN

Oh...I won't miss Uwharrie. Even if I have to bandaid a solution together.

I actually have two calls into SLR to see what kind of delivery they could provide on their system. I have the go-ahead to pay the larger price for the system. But...no response from them yet. I do shy away from giving them business because of their rather *interesting* sense of customer service sometimes, but I need a solution.

I should have added in the usual Calmini multiplier for actual delivery time, but one can hope against hope can't they?

Unfortunately, we deal with what these folks are willing to do. They are busy and doing good things for the Nissan community, each in its own particular way.

Damn....how does one get one of those deals where they are actually respected and *highly* valued by the manufacturers? Install the products, wheel like a well-disciplined and ever-respectful-of -proper-ettiquette madman, write a few reviews, and germinate popular support on various message boards? Sign me up.

Isn't that part of the XOC TOS??? At least lately it should be.

Bullshit.
I give everyone an equal chance. I know all about your problems with CALMINI, so take your shit back to your board.

I though you said you were going to shut up?!

Here we go again... :rolleyes:

All I wanted to know was when my steering system was going to ship! :rolleyes:

That said, let me tell you a little bit about this Calmini vs. SLR crap. Not going into others becuase it's really Calmini vs. SLR:

Everyone knows that Calmini delays products a lot. Nothing new; move on. All we can do is hope the wait results in a better product.

Having both companies to buy parts from gives us consumers more choices. I have parts from both companies because I have that choice and can buy what better fits my needs and budget. Infact, my suspension lift is a mix and match from both shops and let me tell you, the result is absolutely amazing! I just did an 1800 mile trip of which about 500 miles was off pavement and my trucks handling and ride was superb in all conditions...so there! Lucky for me, I'm not in urgent need for the steering system so I can wait a little while. I will wait because I really like what I've seen of the Calmini system and I think it best fits my needs and budget.

Anyway, I'm not afraid to offer my opionions on specific products from any company, but I'm getting kind of tired of the direct manufacturer bashing.

Amen.

Each company excels in different ways. Choose what works best for your current situation. The "my-dad-can-beat-up-your-dad" just seems to make those involved seem rather petty.

For those who didn't make it to GOX, the CALMINI steering system worked flawlessly.

Here are a few pictures to show how solidly this system is built.

Pitman comparison...



Idler comparison...



Installed...

Do you think its strong enough? OMG! Gotta love that calmini engineering and overbuilding! Their stuff is nuke proof.

...So...does that mean Calmini is finally shipping the steering system? No more waiting?

I can't wait to receive mine.

I would estimate a month for the final production pieces to be ready. Still a few manufacturing tweaks to be made.

Wow - that thing is seriously overbuilt!

It almost looks too strong. What's the weak link now, the steering box? Do you think Nissan's stock steering box can handle the abuse, because from the looks of Calmini's system, it's not going to bend/budge.

Looking good Calmini.

Rich

Very impessive indeed!!!!

Kick ass!

Did you run this on your truck Ian? I'm also wondering about steering stabilizers. Is the centerlink the same diameter as stock and such that I could still use my steering stabilizer if I want?

Thanks for the pictures.

Chuck, I did run that setup at GOX.

A steering stabilizer won't fit it due to the change in location of the center link. You could try it, but it would probably need to have new brackets made.

I don't see a use for one though, there is zero slop in the steering, and bumpsteer is decreased a large amount due to the longer tierods.

The frame????

Not to take this off topic but... Ian, did you mount the ball joint under the upper control arm? looks like you did. If so, did you have any problems getting it into spec? Or am I just seeing things...

Stormy; that's the way they are suppose to go.

AHHHH, I see... I actually have the Calmini a-arms still in the box. They are going to replace my AC arms so I haven't even read the instrictions yet. I'm waiting to install the Calmini steering before I put them on. With the condition of my centerlink now, there's no way it's going to get alligned...

Thanks for pointing out the obvious for me

I was impressed by this system on the CALMINI X and XOC’s truck at GOX3. I was told that the center link takes less stress and the arms more so that’s one of the reasons their so heavy duty.

The threaded part of all the aftermarket tie-rod adjusters are still a potential weaker spot IMO, but these are the strongest/beefiest adjusters I’ve seen in general. The idler brace is new/redesigned and the rancho steering stabilizer kits should work by adjusting the u-bolts if needed on the passenger’s side.

A Rancho stabilizer will not work, the idler arm will interfere with it.

one unused Center link for sale.....

One left testicle for sale... slightly used.

What else can I sell to get this setup?

How about the mini van?!?!?

The antlers?

I'll take the saran wraped Lawn Mower

After our annual customer appreciation run last weekend, you can add - "Rubicon Tested" to our replacement steering system.

That's cool-Any pics of the run?

I didn't take any. I'm waiting for some to be forwarded to me. I'll post when I have them.

Was that on the Xterra or the Frontier?

Jim's Frontier, which he doesn't seem to mind beating up.

There are some pics here found on N4W

I'm interested! Doing the Rubicon is something I've wanted to do all year but just didn't get all the stuff (rear locker, front-end lift) I wanted done on the Xterra before tackling such a trail.

The season is about over this year but there is always next year. Who is going to be the first to get an Xterra through the Con? I wonder if there has already been a "first"?

That is another question...Can you say you "did" the Rubicon while still using bypasses? I personally say YES, some of the obstacles are just plain impossible for an Xterra.

Add 3.60:1 gearing to the list of stuff needed before doing the Rubicon...

I'm looking forward to all the pictures of dead Xterras on the Rubicon

Steve's group had 3 broken axles up there last weekend, plus lots of other damage. A broken rear axle on an Xterra means "almost impossible to fix" on the trail.

Think of all the trouble you guys had on Golden Spike, then multiply that by 10 and throw in a bunch of sheet metal damage.

No, it just means that this collective group hasn't yet broken enough parts in these kinds of situations to know what to expect. If you're going to do this kind of stuff, you have to carry spares. It's just part of the game. You can get a gear reduced, locked, and lifted X through that trail, but expect some body damage. I get a new ding every time I go.

Back to the subject...what's the ETA on the steering system?

CALMINI,

Glad to hear the steering system & gears are now RUBICON approved

Snoopy,

I recall hearing the gear reduction will be more like 3.9x

Yup, me too UNOTHAT I wanted to make a run this year

A group of Nissan wheelers have been talking about a ‘Con run in 03 including ClimberRN, Twitch, MVM, myself, and some of the guys up north. Perhaps CALMINI, NISSAN and/or others would like to get involved, we could call it GONERUBICON or there is always CALX4

The way I see it is that if Jeep aka Daimler Chrysler can claim that the Liberty made it through the Rubicon by takeing the Bypasses and stacking more rocks than the law should allow, then the X should make the rubicon also. I would expect damage though.

Now about breaking an axle on the trail. It could be repaired on the trail with an X. But, who carries them. I've never heard of "any" Nissan H233B axles breaking on the trail. In my opinion, it's safe to say that the Stock Nissan V6 engine is way to anemic to break a rear axle. But Fluke's do happen from time to time.

Rule of thumb for spare parts.....

If you have broken it before, carry a spare.
If you have seen someone else break it before, carry a spare.
If it looks like it might break, carry a spare.
And don't forget the tools to install your spares.

Cliff

I just called Calmini, and I was told that...

"We are planning to ship out the steering systems between 10th and 15th of October to those who have placed the preorders."

Can hardly wait!

Steve, Have you gotten the PowerTank installed yet for the air tools?