Struts - Any differences?

[Mavrick]

Any difference between 87-93 Struts and 85-86 Struts? I'm getting new ones for an 86 fairly cheap so im just making sure they're the same (i would think they are).

I had some from a 99GT but found they are too long for a lowered car.

Thanks,

 

[BlownStangGT]

not sure....interesting...ttt for ya

 

[87'GTstang]

I'm not 100% sure but I think the 86' spindles are different, don't know if the strut mounting points are different or not though.

 

[v8only]

Yes, the 86 spindles are different. the 86 spindles are the same crap the 87-93 four banger got, tiny 10 inch rotors and all.

87-93 struts will NOT fit the 86 spindles, they won't bolt up. You'll need to get 86 older specific struts, or update your 86 spindles to the larger 87+ design, then bolt on the newer struts.

Now, I here there is a way you can shim, or adapt somehow the newer ones to work, but I'm not sure. Try a search on the corral, or foureyedpride.com, and you should find info on that.

 

[trbkrb]

OK, the 86 and older spindles are the same as the 87-93 4 cyl spindles as stated, but the 87-93 V8 spindle mounts are narrower than the 4 cyl spindles and the 86 and older spindles. Monroe and other shock companies include metal spacers to install their universal struts on the 87-93 V8 cars. I have a couple of them from when I removed the Monroes from my car for the Bullitt struts I now have. You can use washers to take up the slack if using 86 and older struts on a 87-93 V8 car, but 87-93 V8 specific struts will not fit the 4 cyl cars and 86 and older spindles.

 

[Mavrick]

Ok thanks guys, that clears it up. So pre87 and all 4cyl's use tinier spindles/strut mounts. And i can still use pre87 struts on my 87-93 car, with spacers?


On a similar note, what is the difference between 87-93 struts, and 94-present struts? Someone told me they are longer and can not be used on an 87-93 car that has been lowered. Why not? And what are the consequences?

Thanks,

 

[v8only]

the newer struts have less travel, they'll bottom out.

i know the spaces are for using 87 struts on an 86, but I'm not sure if that will work oppositely (86 struts on an 87)

 

[Mavrick]

Ok i gotcha, so ic an't use them at all.

thanks,

 

[trbkrb]

Ok thanks guys, that clears it up. So pre87 and all 4cyl's use tinier spindles/strut mounts. And i can still use pre87 struts on my 87-93 car, with spacers?


On a similar note, what is the difference between 87-93 struts, and 94-present struts? Someone told me they are longer and can not be used on an 87-93 car that has been lowered. Why not? And what are the consequences?

Thanks,

No, from everything that I know and have seen, the 86 and older spindles and all 4 cyl cars have THICKER mounting points than the 87-93 V8 cars. Like I said, the Monroe struts that were "universal" for all 79-93 Fox cars, 4 cyl, 6 cyl or 8 cyl, had a metal spacer for use with the 87-93 V8 cars only. The other cars did not need the spacer since the mounting points are thicker. If you don't use the spacer with the 87-93 V8 spindles, there is a good 3/8" of space between the mounting tabs on the 86 and earlier struts and the spindle mount.

And regarding the newer struts, they are longer than the Fox ones since the mounting point on the spindle was lowered for the SN95 cars. One guy on here measured them both and it was over an inch of difference. SN95 struts on a stock height Fox would be OK with minimal bottoming out, but if you combine the longer strut with a lowered ride height, the struts will bottom out before the suspension reaches maximum travel. You can use caster camber plate spacers to raise the strut mounting point somewhat on the shock towers, but you can only go so far until the struts hit the hood.

 

[Mavrick]

the newer struts have less travel, they'll bottom out.

i know the spaces are for using 87 struts on an 86, but I'm not sure if that will work oppositely (86 struts on an 87)

You just contradicted yourself. You guys make it sounds to complicated.

pre87 + 4cyl = thicker strut
87-93 = thinner strut (narrower mounting bracket on the spindle)

Is this correct?

This is the answer i want. Will 86 Struts work on 87-93 Spindles with the addition of spacers?

 

[trbkrb]

You just contradicted yourself. You guys make it sounds to complicated.

pre87 + 4cyl = thicker strut
87-93 = thinner strut (narrower mounting bracket on the spindle)

Is this correct?

This is the answer i want. Will 86 Struts work on 87-93 Spindles with the addition of spacers?

Yes, that is correct! I wish I had pictures of them with me here at work to show you.

Another twist I just remembered.....I remember reading about someone that was having problem getting the bolt holes to line up on their struts and the spindles, but I don't recall exactly the situation. He ended up elongating the holes on the struts slightly to get them to mount. I still have the struts and spacers at home, do you want me to measure them to make sure for you?

 

[Mavrick]

I'd appreciate it, if you don't mind.

Thanks

 

[slickshift]

in between stang

I'm not sure this'll help but...
Got a (late) '86 GT
Got some Konis for an '86...'87+ have a different part# from Koni
Got them to fit with a BFH and elongating the holes (in the struts) with a dremel
It was a PITA and it still doesn't sit right in the front
Later found out all the brake parts are '87 spec
Yeah I gotta '86 with '87 brakes (from the factory)
I figured the spindles were '87 too
I don't know...can you have '87 rotor, caliper, pads with an '86 spindle/strut?
I was gonna order some '87 struts to correct the tweaked front end
But now???
BTW I did have to spread the '86struts tofit round my "87? spindles"