will AE86 coilovers fit into the ma61??

**BEVANI** · 24-10-2010, 12:22 AM

hey guys, a mate of mine has a set of ae86 bc coilovers to sell and i was wondering what mods would be required to make them fit up to the ma61.
at a quick glance they look identical to the ma61 struts but without measuring them i cant tell

do i need to change the strut tops

steering arms

control arms

any info would be great
cheers

**Shakotan_Aaron** · 24-10-2010, 03:13 AM

you would need to change the camber tops (or drill new holes) and also the steering arms to 86 ones.

also id be 98% sure that the stub axle is completely different. so you will have to either use the much smaller 86 brakes or go to with a brake upgrade (RX7 etc) which could get costly. the stub axle strength wont be as good but i wouldnt go as far to say that the wheels will fall off. these a guy who actually uses a 86 set-up in a 180sx in japan and ma61 would be a simerlar weight to that but still not really designed for the extra weight.

you may possibly be able to cut the stub axles off and weld the ones from the ma61 struts onto the BC ones.

next issue maybe the dampening rates and im not sure on the hight of them, they probably wont go as high as stock hight at max adjustment.

as mentioned though the biggest issue with be the axle strength.

rear is the same sort of set-up as 86 with the exception that the springs and shocks are normally longer, so again you prob cant achive stock hight with the max highest setting.

**BEVANI** · 24-10-2010, 10:01 AM

yeah i dont want to go cutting and welding stub axles if i can help it.
im already running skyline calliper/mpv rotor setup so id have to change bearings around?
if the AE86 is a shorter length overall it would lower the car which is what im after but would depend on how low they are at max height?

**Shakotan_Aaron** · 24-10-2010, 02:42 PM

it will completely depend on how the coilover is made. i dont know about the differences in hight, so many factors.

the thickness (hence strength) of the stub axles is different. your brakes likely wont bolt on. perhaps with some fiddling around you could get the caliper and rotor to fit the 86 hub. but dont expect that it will just all swap over.

the easiest option ofcorse will be to make a set from your current ma61 struts. if you dont want the car off the road then grab a spare pair of bare struts. AJPS will be happy to convert them to coilover and will be able to advise the best shock for your budget. BC arnt that awesome anyway.

**thechuckster** · 25-10-2010, 12:57 AM

stub axle is the not same (i thought they used the same bearing).

Adjust insert valving/springs to suit heavier car, use p/steer AE86 arms, re-drill holes in strut tower, attach to MA61 LCA ball joint... then fuck around with brakes. So it pretty much bolts in.

**WDE_BDY** · 25-10-2010, 08:29 AM

Are you sure on the stub axle being the same Chuckster? Never seen anyone fit the MS65 hubs to one which go straight onto the MA61 stub, I thought the stub was actually shorter with the bearings closer together on the AE86.

Callum

**takai** · 25-10-2010, 08:47 AM

Nup, AE86 stub axles are smaller than the MA61 stubs. There are generically two sizes of Toyota stub axles. The early KE and TA22 and AE86, and then the RA28/40/etc and MA61 and MS65 etc.

**WDE_BDY** · 25-10-2010, 09:39 AM

AE86 isn't the same as early KE70, bearings are wider spaced apparently.

Callum

**thechuckster** · 25-10-2010, 09:42 AM

well that's a shit about the bearings - will edit post - i always' assumed it was the larger size given the manufacture period and weight of car.

**Sam_Q** · 25-10-2010, 01:30 PM

the angle of the stub axle to the strut is very different to the ae86 model. The lengths are within 10mm when both are stock, the ae86 brakes are tiny and the difference in bearing sizes as Takai has mentioned.

Basicly no, why not convert what you have to a coilover as people have suggested? or get someone local to do it? its a cheap and easy job