Gen 1 Air to strut conversion

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:16 pm

G'day all, new here, I have searched this forum backwards and forwards and cannot find the exact info needed, hopefully someone out there who has done this can help. I have a 92 liberty awd wagon currently airbag with all the usuall gremlins and now leaking. I wish to change to struts & springs but when I ask the suspension people whats required they all have the same answer "you need our CONVERSION KIT" (even king springs say that!) which costs an average of $1600 to $1850!! for around $1100 worth of parts. They all get very cagey when you ask them whats in it, I can only assume the 4 bump stops must be 100 bucks each or something!!!:mrgreen: (I know all the parts req., spring plates etc.)
My question to someone who has actually DONE this is- will an ordinary aftermarket strut like KYB etc. for a 92 NON airbag fit into this car or is there a catch?? is there any tricks to this? it seems straight forward enough but when you ask the suspension mobs they make it out to be very complicated. I have 25 years of race car and suspension fabrication experience so I am well capable of this, its the little quirks I need to sort as I live in Darwin and everything has to be freighted here at my expense, ie. I need to get it right first time, its the rear that seems to be the stickiest point. (we only have Pedders and some other useless mob here btw) I will document and photo. the whole process from start to finish and post it here with all part no's etc. for peoples future reference.
Thanks to anyone who can help.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:16 pm

Very common conversion for airbag suspension.
You need these below -

- Strut Hats
- Springs
- Struts

Otherwise for new - King Springs $110ea, struts - depends where you look at, last time I paid $125ea, strut hats - dont know... $25ea 2nd hand?

Best cheapest option is to source a 2nd hand suspension with good condition springs & hats and if the struts are go good, replace them to new one.

A few people have converted them with outback struts to keep maximum height or get standard Liberty height.
Cheers
AP

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:34 pm

Hello and welcome to the AUSubaru forums.

We did this for my brothers car

Go to the wreckers and buy 2 front and 2 rear struts complete.

This will give you everything in-between the top plate and the hub that you will need.

If the struts are cactus, you can always buy new replacements.

Ive seen in a few cases where the brake line holder on the side of the rear struts is in the wrong position if you mix up the sides, so keep this in mind when working out left and right.

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:47 pm

Thanks for the replies, I live in Darwin (the edge of the known world apparently) so second hand struts etc. for a Suby is never going to happen!!! I have bought all the new parts required but the rear air strut bearing mounts look completely different, does anyone know if there is a problem using them?? they look to be a shorter height?? its hard to tell. the fronts were ok and are already in. If you look in the manual they are obviously different but do fit, the main diff. is the spring bearing mounts have covers or seals to protect the bearing itself hanging out the bottom, these are not required on the air strut but they are too bloody expensive to replace just for that!!

thelman · Post by **thelman** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 6:36 pm

digging this up. Im looking at doing the same with my 92 wagon. I can get the struts from a gen 2 sedan, awd, auto. Will these bolt in or do i have to look at some other options. Pics would help. Cheers, Ben

thelman · Post by **thelman** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:15 am

anyone?

WaLibBoy · Post by **WaLibBoy** » Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:55 pm

Hi Mate they should bolt straight in. Gaz