Changing struts in a TA22

[4SFED]

Hey guys, hoping somebody can give me some help here.

Its time to do some serious work on the suspension of my TA22 and after speaking to a suspension workshop here in Melbourne we came to the conclusion that we will be running Koni Sports all round, with maybe custom springs + other bits and pieces. Now the problem is that apparently Koni dont make the sports for a TA22 strut any more - so we have to change. They mentioned something like an RA40 strut.

I have done a search on this and what i have uncovered is probably more questions

So, can anybody tell me:

- whats involved in doing this swap?
- Do they bolt straight up?
- Is it going to frigg with my track/steering etc?
- Will it introduce anything different to the geometry of the front end that we should know about?
- Will my standard hubs & wheels fit back on?
- Does it change the mounts for my calipers?

Sorry for all the questions but i wanna make sure i know what i am getting myself into before we bite the bullet and blow a heap of $$$ on it.

Thanks!

[skiddz]

ditch the RA40 straight up cos its a fuckaround and most of your questions are irrelevant, if you searched (and dont tell me you did) you'd know about the rona/pug/lux upgrade

u wanna get some xt130/rt142 struts, pugeot 604 disks and landy calipers (see the brake upgrade thread for more info)

SW20 rear inserts do nicely also woulda found this if searched

if lowering i STRONGLY recommend RCA's from t3

[Pube]

im pretty sure ra40 shocks fit ra23?

[Pube]

just re-read, you got a ta22..DOH!

[4SFED]

ditch the RA40 straight up cos its a fuckaround and most of your questions are irrelevant, if you searched (and dont tell me you did) you'd know about the rona/pug/lux upgrade

Well i did search and found a few threads on changing the front struts but none that answered the questions i posed. I noticed a heap of talk about changing to Sigma arms and the like but these were all to do with changing camber if i read correctly.I am not interested in more camber etc etc as the car will never see a circuit. i just wanted something that will allow me to keep everything as is but allow me to fit a Koni Sport. I am not interested in a brake upgrade either, i already have 13" willwood disks and rx7 4 spot calipers, so hence my questions on ONLY changing the strut without anything else to allow me to run a decent shock and also allow me to keep my brake conversion, not messing with the track so i can keep my wheels etc etc.

Why is it so much of a fuck around? That is the info i am after. And why are my questions irrelevant?

u wanna get some xt130/rt142 struts, pugeot 604 disks and landy calipers (see the brake upgrade thread for more info)

Not interested in a brake upgrade or a strut that will make this possible. I am only after something more late model that will hopefully bolt straight up and give me a better option for shocks.

SW20 rear inserts do nicely also woulda found this if searched.

After speaking to Koni they said that they do not make ANY Koni Sport that fits in the front of the TA22, and they suggested changing to a RA40 or similar strut. Your right, i didnt see much on the SW20 conversion as i was following Konis' advice and only looking for RA40 info. If this was an option (and i am not saying your wrong) i am surprised Koni didn't mention it.

if lowering i STRONGLY recommend RCA's from t3

Yes, i have found them and they are on the list.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply, but please ease up with the flames, i am no n00b and was simply asking some questions to which i haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer.

[Cool1]

Hey guys, hoping somebody can give me some help here.

Its time to do some serious work on the suspension of my TA22 and after speaking to a suspension workshop here in Melbourne we came to the conclusion that we will be running Koni Sports all round, with maybe custom springs + other bits and pieces. Now the problem is that apparently Koni dont make the sports for a TA22 strut any more - so we have to change. They mentioned something like an RA40 strut.

I have done a search on this and what i have uncovered is probably more questions

So, can anybody tell me:

- whats involved in doing this swap?
- Do they bolt straight up?
- Is it going to frigg with my track/steering etc?
- Will it introduce anything different to the geometry of the front end that we should know about?
- Will my standard hubs & wheels fit back on?
- Does it change the mounts for my calipers?

Sorry for all the questions but i wanna make sure i know what i am getting myself into before we bite the bullet and blow a heap of $$$ on it.

Thanks!

Hi mate,

The RA40 strut leg will bolt in with out changing anything.
Your track maybe a little wider but I'm not completely sure on that. If it is it wont be by much.
Your TA22 hubs will not fit on the RA40 stubs however your wheels will fit the RA40 hubs.
The caliper mount on the RA40 strut is completely different to the TA22. How is your current brake setup configured? Im amazed that you managed to get the RX7 caliper to bolt to the TA22 leg and I have to wonder if you actually do have TA22 struts.
Something to note is that the RA40 struts are a fair bit longer than the TA22 strut. So if you do go with the RA40 struts you will have to go with short stroke inserts so that you dont smash the shaft through the bottom.

[4SFED]

Hi mate,

The RA40 strut leg will bolt in with out changing anything.
Your track maybe a little wider but I'm not completely sure on that. If it is it wont be by much.
Your TA22 hubs will not fit on the RA40 stubs however your wheels will fit the RA40 hubs.
The caliper mount on the RA40 strut is completely different to the TA22. How is your current brake setup configured? Im amazed that you managed to get the RX7 caliper to bolt to the TA22 leg and I have to wonder if you actually do have TA22 struts.
Something to note is that the RA40 struts are a fair bit longer than the TA22 strut. So if you do go with the RA40 struts you will have to go with short stroke inserts so that you dont smash the shaft through the bottom.

Thanks heaps for your reply!

Hmm ok so it sounds like an RA40 strut will fit but throw a heap of other things out - it may solve my shock issue but hurt me in other areas Thats exactly what i needed to know!

My current brake setup is on standard TA22 struts just with a small mod made to the plate that holds the caliper and bolts to the strut. These 4 bolts that hold the caliper mounting plate, are they the same on the RA and TA struts? if they are then the brakes will come straight across - although now i say it out loud there are alot of other variables that may stop the brake conversion from working such as offsets, hub/disk mounts etc.

Hmmmm... it seems as though my hope to get a direct replacement strut that will keep all geometry the same AND allow me to hang onto my brakes with no mods is a bit of a wish..?

[skiddz]

no flamage intended, sorry if it came across that way, i assumed you were doing this as a brake upgrade as well

the RA40 caliper mounting is different, how different im not sure.

BUT the rona struts when shortened 30mm are the same as *excepting caliper mounts and hubs* ta22 struts so SW20 rear inserts should go goodly. without changing alot of shit.

go to an import wreckers and ask if ya can take a shagged rear shock and see if that fits? only got 20 bucks to loose

and bump steer sucks arse and i need rca's

[Cool1]

Its been so long since I've looked at a TA22 strut so I cant remember what it looks like. If I get a chance I'll pull one out next week and compare it to the RA40 strut.
If it come to it I'm sure you are able to make a new caliper bracket to make your brake setup work on the RA40 strut.

From memory the only difference between the 22 and 40 strut tube is the length? I think the dia is the same?
If thats the case you could just mill out the 22 strut tube and and weld in a new one to suit any insert.

On my front setup I milled the tubes out of some RA40 struts and welded in some Bilstein legs. SO anything is possible

[mux]

Dudes,

I'm pretty sure that a ra40 strut will slid right in.

One of the old brake upgrades for a 22 was with corona strut, which is more or less a RA series strut. Otherwise your could look at a sprinter strut...

There is always the option of spending half hour at a wreckers sizing them up, or matching part codes at the parts dealer....


Dude!!!! I just spent about 20mins looking around the net, the pedders website lists a ta22 front shock part number as being the same as a 1983 model toyota sprinter. Koni or even better Tein (or some jap brand) should have million different shocks for you to choose from.

If you follow the line of using sprinter up-grade components you should find that coil over setup will be pretty affordable and do-able.

Me for one, I'm doing a MX73 strut with R33 calipers and BA rotors. This will be using a combo of sprinter / 22 components.

good luck with it....

Ps. Your 22 has inspired me many of times... and in many different ways : )