Live Axle Coilover Suspension Conversion, question's

[Screamn_Sleeka]

Hi Guys,
Im interested on converting a live axle diff to coilovers. Ive searched this forum and google, but don't find much. The only info i've got is pics of hot rods with completely fabricated bodies.
My current plan is buy the generic coilovers, like these:

And make them fit the diff and body. Similar to the way normal shocks bolt on live axles.

Basically, im after "things i should know". If angles matter, and what not.
Also, i was going to use the pan-hard rod to locate the the diff position and then add the coilover mounts when it sits the correct hight but jacked up.

The diff will probably be a MS112, F series 1450mm long.
Car is a MX23.
I might try it on an old VK first though.

[Big T]

I think the main thing to look out for would simply be caliper clearance. Adding a spring over the shock means you'll need alot more clearance for the caliper (if it's a rear mounted type). The top hat will also have to suit your setup as the ones pictured wont.

TechnoToyTuning makes nice ones for an AE86:



You can try emailing them as they make custom stuff for other cars too.

Eddie.

[slide86]

you will also want to make the mounting points strong as they will now be taking all of the weight of the car and the compression force when driving.

ive seen a mount break off a diff that had coilovers on it cause of the force on the bolt at the bottom. unlike traditional setups where the spring has a large surface area to sit on

however it may have had something to do with the welding skills used......

[merc-blue]

Mate a coilover setup in most live axels is pretty easy,
bassicaly find a threaded strut tube get some spring retainers and get some springs of your desired rate and length (might take abit of playing to get the length and rates right)
Its not uncommon for the new coilovers to fowl on somthing a diff shop should be able to move your shock hangers for you,

Problems do arise from this though
firstly stock shock hangers arent always up to the task i have seen bend and snapped off shock hangers from coilovers being put on them (again your diff shop will be able to tell you whats the go) also the body somtimes isnt up to it and can flex bac and forth till it fails simply welding in a plate of steel to reinforce the top mount will fix that though,

What is the reasoning you want rear coilovers?

[Big T]

Yeps as above... i forgot about the strengthening bit.



This is Bill Sherwood's setup (hope he doesnt mind the pic being used). It's fairly easy to do... just get a couple triangle pieces the right size and weld it all up. Just make sure you move the mounts in the right place 1st (if they need it) before doing it.

Eddie.

[merc-blue]

If you can i suggest fabbing up somthing like this as the stress isnt transfererd along a beam it is put diretl down/up on the diff,
It may not be possible depending on where your upper mounts are

Sorry for the poor diagram if you dont understand it i will try to draw another,
but bassicaly a box section ontop the diff with a hole throught it, the bottom of teh shock goes in and a bolt goes throuh it

[Screamn_Sleeka]

Thanks guys,
I was worried about the strength of the standard shock mounts. When reading the replies, i started thinking of the exact diagram in merc-blue's last post! Its a much better idea than having the mounts under the diff, and not much more work than strengthening the stock ones like Big-T's sherwood pic.

Big-T, i would rather use the coilovers in my first post, and fabricate the mounts from scratch.
Am i correct in assuming i can use the area of the car above the dfif as a strong enough place to make the mounts? (for reference, the thing im talking about on my MX23 looks identically to my old RA40, so celica's a like). This would also mean i dont have to strengthen the shock hangers, and i can use coilovers in my pic. Id rather use them as they would be the cheapest.
Here is a pic of them fitted to a hot rod:
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/627...ssis010yz8.jpg


And finally, the reason why im interested in doing this is because, im modifying the car as i restore it and its a more modern approach to suspension. I dont expect any real gains from it.

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

And finally, the reason why im interested in doing this is because, im modifying the car as i restore it and its a more modern approach to suspension. I dont expect any real gains from it.

Were you dropped on your head? The reason for doing such a conversion would be to obtain rear height adjustment and easier spring rate change.. which I don't know about you, but with the right setup it will give you some REAL gains.

Modern? Pfft.

[merc-blue]

Actually
Changing springs is easyier with non coilovers, jack it up compress spring and your done,
with a coilover you have to unbolt it and take it apart,

The std suspention is more than capable,
just get some good shocks and springs and if your not happy then move from there

[Screamn_Sleeka]

Ahh, ok thanks.
Im modifying the car as a hobby, thanks for the help ill continue my research some place else.

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

I think most of us modify our cars as a hobby MX23 eh? Depending on what you want out of it, you could look at a rack and pinion conversion... improving front and rear suspension geometry, etc.

I wouldn't suggest coilovers unless you were planning to go racing. Get some custom wound springs for the back (work out how high and what rate is desirable).

[w810sc]

hey,
why go some place else when all the info you need is right here:
http://www.aus12.org/index.php?showtopic=208&st=0

fonzy

[w810sc]

or some thing like this:
http://www.jdm-option.com/eng/parts/.../types_top.jpg

[w810sc]

and this:
http://www.redz31.com/images/coilovers/setups/russ4.jpg

[Screamn_Sleeka]

lol, thanks w810sx, they are some good links, im looking into them.

Vipper, ive got a center pull rack that im currently fitting up (making the steering column and linkages mate). Its to go with a combination of MS112 and RT80 upper and lower control arms and the "BA falcon rotors + R32 GTR calipers" brake setup. Unfortunately, the huge MS123 sway bar is too wide, so ill be getting K-Mac to make me one.
Im making the rear trailing arms as equal as possible without loosing my back sets and i just thought of coilovers as something else to do while im swapping the diff and need to change the mounts anyway. But maybe its not important and i should jsut let k-mac make me some nice springs like you say.

Im trying to steer away from the kits (such as the ae86 ones posted above), as i want to move the diff/shock mount closer to the diff as its the limiting factor for backspacing with rims, but i might be able to use them and still move the mounts.