1990 GX Wagon suspension upgrade issues

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 5:18 pm

I have had my car in getting the suspension converted from airbags to shocks and springs. It has been away sometime and now the guy tells me he is unable to locate any rear shock's. The air bags were just being replaced with second hand gear but according to the guy working on it there is none available in W.A., have tried Sunspares overeast aswell. It is only the rear shocks I require, Does any one know where I can get some and what sort of coin I would be looking at ?

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:33 pm

KYB struts brand new about 140ea
king springs about 120/pair

random other parts (hats, tops etc) pick up from a wrecker hopefully

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 12:27 pm

Thats kinda my problem mate, can't seem to locate any hats etc at any wreckers over here

wagonist · Post by **wagonist** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 3:36 pm

Are you talking about the hat which bolts to the body, or the upper spring mount?

The hat that bolts to the car you can reuse from the airbags, the upper spring mount you can get off almost any car whether FWD or 4WD, just make sure its the right diameter as your spring as there's 2 types (tapered & non tapered).

If you really get stuck, apparently Pedders sell a complete conversion kit so I've been told. I sorted my own gear to do on my Parent's 93 wagon recently.

fish · Post by **fish** » Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:58 pm

Gday tuckerman,

im currently in the process of researching prices parts etc for this conversion. found a company in sydney which seemed reasonably priced called "wholesale suspension" google it, their web site has contact details.

Was only going to cost me $38.00 to get four struts + springs sent to adelaide.

also quoted me $995.00 for all four stuts (kyb) + king springs.

hope this helps goodluck on the hunt

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:16 pm

Thanks guys for the information I will do a bit more research as this situation is breaking my balls

Just want to get my car back on the road. Fish did that price include the gear to bolt straight up or did you still need to get the hat tops etc like they were discussing previously ?

fish · Post by **fish** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:23 am

g day tuckerman that price doesnt include hats.

subaru list a part which i believe is eqivalent to the hat. it is listed as a spring seat. they retail for $30 each, this is what i will be buying. as far as i know this is all i need to finish the conversion fingers crossed all goes well

good luck with your's

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:13 am

just about any subaru wrecker in brisbane should be able tohelp you out. Jump on the yellow pages online and make a few phont calls.

one thing to be wary of - AWD strut tops are different to FWD. make sure you use AWD ones. As mentioned any spring hat will do as long as its the right diameter. In the back of my lib i'm using forester hats, airbag tops, and FWD rear king springs

Another place you could try is http://www.rslibertyclub.org forums. I know of a heap of complete, shagged legacy struts on there for sale. one was 4 complete struts for $50 - that would give you all the parts you need. You will need to register as a member there to see the forums

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:14 am

one other thing - http://www.gsad.com.au is the best suspension place i have dealt with in brisbane. Give them a try aswell

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:28 am

Ok thanks guys will take this information do some research then speak to the bloke doing the work for me. Yep am a member of that forum already bro (own a Liberty RS as well as the wagon haha)

I am not really a Suby addict *honest*, they just happen to produce numerous cars that I like haha.

Will hopefully be selling the RS soon and just using the wagon as my get to work and tow the trailer bunky so I can purchase one of those horn new GT libertys.

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:06 pm

hey fish spoke to that same crew you were talking about they quoted me $1500.00 for the gear (apparantely will bolt straight in)

Spoke to GSAD they are $1360 but would need the top bearing plate

(this is all without fitting). Seems pretty expensive and they have suggested that I can't fit my 3 inch lift kit with either of these suspension combo's ?

I am thinking with all the drama and expense (going to be $2000.00 at least by the time I fit the lift kit aswell) if it is actually worth it. My front air bags are a bit dodgy but should I just live with it and still ahve the advantage of raising and lowering when I want etc.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:26 pm

whats wrong with buying 4 stuffed complete assembled struts off rslc, ebay, etc

then buy new struts and springs from whoever will do them cheapest and your set. You can use the bump stops / dust covers / spring hats / strut tops off the dead gear you buy

even if your airbags still work, you cant fit anything bigger than a 25" tyre on the rear airbag struts as the lower airbag seat will foul the tyre

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:57 pm

yeh that is an option.

yeh I understand that I can't fit bigger tyres, that the reason I originally looked at doing the upgrade as I have a full set of Forester/Outback mags and decent new 15" tyres on them.

but i am not sure if spending the $2k at the moment just so I can fit bigger tyres is worth it, as with the tyres down it still has no issues on the beach etc. and if I fit the bigger rims and tyres I then have the issue of trying to track down some way of fixing how much the speedo is out.

I might just get the car back and get the guy to keep out an eye for the rear struts, when they come up install them then maybe.

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:58 pm

Talking about tyres, with the standard suspension, what tyres should I go for if I go down that route ? I have heard super diggers are the go, will they fit ?

are they made by nankang ?

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:47 pm

26-27" is a good size for an NA car

examples:
26" = 215/60R16, 205/70R15
27" = 27x8.5R14, 215/65R16, 215/70R15, 205/75R15 etc etc

if your sticking with the 14" rims nankang make an excellent beach / light offroad tyre thats grippy onroad. nankang wild conquerer 27x8.5R14 about $110 ea

edit: my bad wild conquerers not super trippers

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:07 pm

Super diggers have the same tread pattern as the Nankangs if sticking with the NA the Wild Conquers are the go.

Tuckerman · Post by **Tuckerman** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:55 pm

ok I will look into these tyres. Can I fit those Wild Conquerers to my wagon with the standard Air suspension ? (The tyre people I have spoken to so far think no).

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:35 pm

no you cant will hit the rear struts as i mentioned.

measure the clearance you have now then work out how much bigger you can go.

fish · Post by **fish** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:55 pm

gday guys im wondering if any one can help me? can any one supply me with with a good wrecker that would possibly have some outback parts. Im after bumpstops, and spring seats. i have brand new kyb struts and lifted kingsprings fready to go into the liberty, now i just need the bumpstops and seats. cant wait to see the finished product.

thanks to those who ahve helped so far.

cheers

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:30 pm

vincentvega wrote:just about any subaru wrecker in brisbane should be able tohelp you out. Jump on the yellow pages online and make a few phont calls.

one thing to be wary of - AWD strut tops are different to FWD. make sure you use AWD ones. As mentioned any spring hat will do as long as its the right diameter. In the back of my lib i'm using forester hats, airbag tops, and FWD rear king springs

Another place you could try is http://www.rslibertyclub.org forums. I know of a heap of complete, shagged legacy struts on there for sale. one was 4 complete struts for $50 - that would give you all the parts you need. You will need to register as a member there to see the forums

How come did you use Forrester Hats in the rears? -> whats the difference?
Cheers
AP