SiriusBlack Posted May 26 Share Posted May 26 Hey all. I'm needing new front suspension assemblies for my 86 BRAT, and of course have been unable to find any new assemblies. However for those of you that have gotten suspension from GorillaOffroadCompany, have you looked at their offerings for the subaru Sambar? The assemblies look shockingly close to a BRAT's. So has anyone ever tried fitting any kind of Sambar suspension to a BRAT? Are the upper mount spacing and lower tube diameters right for direct bolt in? I bought a set of silverback limited coilovers for my STi some years ago and love them, so if anyone has tried this, I would be extremely curious to know how it went. As always Thanks in advance for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushytails Posted yesterday at 04:00 AM Share Posted yesterday at 04:00 AM A sambar is a bit lighter than a brat, so the springs might be too soft. They give the lower tube diameter as 50mm, no other specs I can see. Email? You also might try finding some used/junk sambar parts and seeing how close they are to bolting up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiriusBlack Posted yesterday at 04:36 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:36 AM @bushytailsIf I get complete assemblies from Gorilla, they offer three different spring rates. So I could get firmer springs. My primary concern outside of them bolting up, is travel. I'm pretty sure sambar coilovers don't have as much travel as a BRAT. I'd love to get some used sambar struts just to see if they'll bolt up, but I have no idea where to find some. I did email Gorilla for further specs, but have yet to hear back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushytails Posted yesterday at 04:52 AM Share Posted yesterday at 04:52 AM Stock ones look a *lot* shorter... There's tons on ebay, like https://www.ebay.com/itm/167537573301 , and they look like half the length... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiriusBlack Posted yesterday at 04:56 AM Author Share Posted yesterday at 04:56 AM Yeah, that's what I was concerned about. Unfortunately I don't have any other ideas for new BRAT suspension that don't involve a five lug swap. ISC used to build struts to order, but they don't seem to anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushytails Posted yesterday at 05:39 AM Share Posted yesterday at 05:39 AM I just braved the mosquitos to check, and a well-used 1984 ea81 gl wagon 2wd strut measured 44.62mm at the end, so probably 45mm nominal. a 50mm sambar strut is too wide as well as too short. And, of course, 45mm seems to be an uncommon size... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushytails Posted yesterday at 05:49 AM Share Posted yesterday at 05:49 AM (edited) I'm finding conflicting information on whether early '80s bmw 318i/325i struts might be somewhat compatible. Possibly also some newer bmw models. Will need to do more research when not falling asleep. Edited yesterday at 05:58 AM by bushytails Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushytails Posted yesterday at 07:11 AM Share Posted yesterday at 07:11 AM I really should be in bed. lol. But my car also needs struts, and I keep looking them up... I found what may be an exact-ish replacement: Front struts for a new Renault Megane II. Wtf, really? lol. 44.5mm diameter, 545mm/21.46in extended length, 357mm/14.06in compressed length. According to https://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/157099-front-struts/?do=findComment&comment=1313458 , a 4wd strut is "Extended Length 21.25" Collapsed Length 14.00"". Spring diameter looks similar, bottom lock bracket is... different, of course, but may be able to be bent to the right place. Haven't seen specs on the top nut. Fairly cheap, but not available in the US, due to said Renault vehicle never being sold in the US. Some part numbers: BILSTEIN 22-132390 KYB 333718 KYB 633718 MONROE G16387, though the monroe comes up as 2" shorter than the others. The KYB 633718 seems like it might be the premium version, and the 333718 the maybe better excel-g version, not sure what's really different... you'd be installing them with all the subaru top hardware, of course - spring perch, bearing, mount. Want to buy a pair and let me know how they work? lol And now bed. really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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