Ok fellow subaru enthusiasts, can we get some info on shocks, and what to use? Most importantly, what can I replace, front struts or rear shocks with, to get more suspension travel?

 

What Ive got is an EA81 wagon, and this has been mind boggling, trying to look into what can replace the stock shocks & struts, for something other than stock, and I work at an auto parts store! Does anyone out there have any knowledge of what will fit? even with a little bit of modification? any part numbers to go with?

 

Thanks guys!

Well it has been said that the Springs(not the whole strut) out of a Accord Hatchback(the 80's model) will fit into the sube struts and give you more suspension travel im not sure if this only applys to the EA82s or if there is any difference in the suspension as i have no experience with ea81's.

 

Hope this Helps out some

Thanks Scrub2k, thats the kind of stuff I am looking for, does anyone else out there have any further knowledge?

I can expand upon what matt told you. unfortunately it won't help you, as EA81 cars don't have rear coils.

 

The springs were front springs from an 88 accord hatchback. They replaced the rear springs on an EA82 wagon

For the front....

 

Cut off the top of the strut at the weld (CAREFUL, it will spew and smoke).

 

Get a KYB GR-2 strut cartridge, I think mine was for a VW beetle/baja bug. I dug around the back shelf at the parts store till I found one that was right. It has about 8 inches of stroke. Install that into your now empty strut tube. (wach out, there are several different diameters on the shelf, I had to go back and get a larger diameter one.

 

 

On both the front and rear I am using Ranchos that have a stroke of about 9 inches. The springs are the real limiter in the front, with the kings and the Rancho combo I get about triple the stock travel range, now if I could only resolve the camber at the outer edges of the travel range....\

 

 

 

 

Subarubrat, do you have a better picture, of what your talking about with the struts? did you just put it along side the strut? or did you actually replace the strut cartrige?

Gut the strut and install a new cartridge with more travel. Then the Rancho is in parallel with the strut.

 

thanks, thats exactly what I needed to know, do you have a part number for the cartige?, our featured brand of shocks at grand auto is KYB. Is there a part number for the rancho's also?

The Ranchos are available in different versions the part numbers are:

 

For RS9000 adjustables: RS99185 RS99115

 

 

For RS5000 : RS5185 RS5115

 

I think that is rear and front respectivly but I would have to look on the truck for sure and I can't do that at the moment. But remember the mounts on these are right but the length is all wrong unless you run the same lift and springs I do. However, it is easy to find the right lengths and mounts.

 

Just go to the Catalog Specifications on http://www.gorancho.com and look up my shocks to see what size the mounts are. Then go down the list and find ones that are the same mounts but the right length. Some mounts like the eyelet type may not be the exact same in your length but that can be dealth with by bushings or bolt size selections.

 

I will have to look around for the box for the cartridge, I hope I saved it.

EA81 front suspension has a lot of potential, but is limit by two major thing. The radius rod, and the strut (THE STRUT!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). But the radius rod is the major thing, if you remove it from the control arm you will notice that even the strut has a little more travel. There are research centers currently working on new suspension setups that will allow for more travel., cause we aren't near the limit of the front axles with the stock suspension, and those of use with radical front ends the stock setup is no wear near good enough.

I have a set of pillowball mounts for hydrolic cylinders that I am working with as a bearing point for the radius rods. Should provide for a ton more movement and much more precise geometry.

 

But having gone with a long throw strut with a spring that can utilize it my number one headache is the radius rod. I do however like the strut design.

well, it looks like I get to do some inventing again... after my last great creation with the holley manifold, I wonder what I can come up with next...

haven't decided if i'm going to do this but. i have been contemplating, removing the strut rod, and custom fabricating a rod with 2 rod ends to almost completely elimate all the binding. haven't decided wether to try it or not.

hopefully WJM and I have stumbled upon a nice spring upgrade for those who want to go lower instead of higher. We began testing today. Actually, we just finished his head gaskets a minute ago and he's on the way home now. lol...

so I got this all dissassembled; car parts, grease, and blood all over the garage floor. So let me get this straight, to get out the non-servicable subaru "cartrige" for the strut, and replace it with the superbeetle ones (that I have on order) I cut off the bottom where the weld mess is, and that holds the cartrige in?

The seam at the top is where I cut/ground mine, and by top I mean where the rod exits. Make sure that you measuer the inside of the tube and match it to the diameter of cartridge you order.

did you re-weld it back together or something? How did you do that without burning the seals in the strut?

Make sure you clean the area real good and do some deep but brief MIG welds. I did about 2 dozen spaced so that it remained cool. I porobably could have done it in half that....