strut/shocks difference
09-29-2012, 01:13 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: georgia
Posts: 824
strut/shocks difference
i have a 93 lx i4 ragtop and i need front struts and rear shocks. i cant find any locally for the 4 cyl but i can find the v8 ones. are there any differneces between the two?
10-02-2012, 04:47 PM
#2
Yes, the four cylinder spindles are thinner than the v8 spindles where the struts bolt on. If you buy v8 struts, there will be a gap between the struts' mounting ears where they slide onto the spindle. I've seen spacers that go there, but if you're doing the junkyard thing, I'd recommend upgrading to the 87-93 V8 spindles/brakes/struts. They should be cheap at a junkyard, and they would be an upgrade for your four cylinder car.
10-15-2012, 12:42 AM
#3
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ut
Posts: 271
Coming in a bit late on this but I believe you have it backwards, the 2.3 spindles are actually thicker than the newer 5.0 spindles. The '79-'93 2.3's and the '79-'88 5.0's have the thicker spindles while the '89-'93 5.0's have the thinner spindles to make room for the larger brakes.
Last edited by 7_Zero; 10-15-2012 at 12:47 AM.
10-17-2012, 06:39 PM
#4
Coming in a bit late on this but I believe you have it backwards, the 2.3 spindles are actually thicker than the newer 5.0 spindles. The '79-'93 2.3's and the '79-'88 5.0's have the thicker spindles while the '89-'93 5.0's have the thinner spindles to make room for the larger brakes.
10-19-2012, 01:36 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ut
Posts: 271
No disrespect taken, hands down you know a lot more about these cars than I do that is for sure.
Not that I am trying to pick a fight or anything, but from my personal experience I found that the V8 struts are more narrow in the mounting area vs the I4. I just tried to put some Bilsteins on my 2.3 and they would not fit. I had to get some spindles from an '89 GT to get them to work. I have attached some pics showing the size difference. I debated on having the spindles milled, but found that buying some used spindles was cheaper.
If I am still wrong let me know, this could be an isolated case, or I could just plain out be wrong, it happens a lot for me. :-)
*Edit* pics came out a bit small, the reading in the spindle pic is 1.023" and the strut measurement is 0.816"
Not that I am trying to pick a fight or anything, but from my personal experience I found that the V8 struts are more narrow in the mounting area vs the I4. I just tried to put some Bilsteins on my 2.3 and they would not fit. I had to get some spindles from an '89 GT to get them to work. I have attached some pics showing the size difference. I debated on having the spindles milled, but found that buying some used spindles was cheaper.
If I am still wrong let me know, this could be an isolated case, or I could just plain out be wrong, it happens a lot for me. :-)
*Edit* pics came out a bit small, the reading in the spindle pic is 1.023" and the strut measurement is 0.816"
Last edited by 7_Zero; 10-19-2012 at 01:40 AM.
10-22-2012, 04:22 PM
#6
No disrespect taken, hands down you know a lot more about these cars than I do that is for sure.
Not that I am trying to pick a fight or anything, but from my personal experience I found that the V8 struts are more narrow in the mounting area vs the I4. I just tried to put some Bilsteins on my 2.3 and they would not fit. I had to get some spindles from an '89 GT to get them to work. I have attached some pics showing the size difference. I debated on having the spindles milled, but found that buying some used spindles was cheaper.
If I am still wrong let me know, this could be an isolated case, or I could just plain out be wrong, it happens a lot for me. :-)
*Edit* pics came out a bit small, the reading in the spindle pic is 1.023" and the strut measurement is 0.816"
Not that I am trying to pick a fight or anything, but from my personal experience I found that the V8 struts are more narrow in the mounting area vs the I4. I just tried to put some Bilsteins on my 2.3 and they would not fit. I had to get some spindles from an '89 GT to get them to work. I have attached some pics showing the size difference. I debated on having the spindles milled, but found that buying some used spindles was cheaper.
If I am still wrong let me know, this could be an isolated case, or I could just plain out be wrong, it happens a lot for me. :-)
*Edit* pics came out a bit small, the reading in the spindle pic is 1.023" and the strut measurement is 0.816"
You're killing me!
I want to take some measurements, but my Fox is 100 miles away and sitting on the dyno. I'll grab some measurements and get back to you. But I'm pretty certain about my info. Also, the spindles got bigger in 87, so when we put Konis on my dad's '86 back in '86, it was the same part number as the four cylinder cars. Then all of my '87+ V8 cars had the wider strut mounting tabs. I'll confirm the measurements asap though.
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