goes2fast Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 I tried looking through the topics for info, but didn't have much luck. What are my options for upgrading the front suspension on my 1200? I have looked for front strut inserts, and haven't had much luck, so I'm thinking a strut swap may be the answer, but don't know what works the best? Any help will be appreciated. :) Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=Suspension_upgrades Quote Link to comment
goes2fast Posted September 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Thanks, that gave some info, but nothing on what struts to use. Anyone that has modified 1200 suspension? :confused: Quote Link to comment
Spilly Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=Category:Suspension_Modifications Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 Why do you want to change the struts??? If you want better handling, the stock struts are just fine. Do this: * Lower the car * fit some 50 or 55 series tires * fit a B210 sway bar * Give it 0.5 degrees negative camber (stock is +2 positive) * Give it 2.5 degrees castor (stock is 1/2 degree) If you are trying to make it ride smoother, the stock struts are best too. If it is banging on bumps, put some new shock cartridges in them. Quote Link to comment
rusty12ver Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 Before swapping the swaybar check to see that u don't already have the 20mm bar already. I found a b210, pulled the sway bar, when I mic'ed it was 17mm. I mic'ed the ones on both my 1200's And they measured 20mm already. Quote Link to comment
rusty12ver Posted December 1, 2011 Report Share Posted December 1, 2011 Dbl post Quote Link to comment
goes2fast Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Why do you want to change the struts??? If you want better handling, the stock struts are just fine. Do this: * Lower the car * fit some 50 or 55 series tires * fit a B210 sway bar * Give it 0.5 degrees negative camber (stock is +2 positive) * Give it 2.5 degrees castor (stock is 1/2 degree) If you are trying to make it ride smoother, the stock struts are best too. If it is banging on bumps, put some new shock cartridges in them. No one makes cartridges for the 1200, and you can't get rebuild kits anymore. :( Quote Link to comment
goes2fast Posted December 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 Before swapping the swaybar check to see that u don't already have the 20mm bar already. I found a b210, pulled the sway bar, when I mic'ed it was 17mm. I mic'ed the ones on both my 1200's And they measured 20mm already. Thanks for the info, right now I'm trying to get the correct rear bar from Addco, the one they sent was 10 inches too wide. The box had the right part number, but some one put the wrong bar in it. :( Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 2, 2011 Report Share Posted December 2, 2011 You can buy new KONI front shocks. And in 2009 I bought new front shocks from Nissan. Do you need new shocks? The problem with changing struts is that you increase the unsprung weight, which is not good for handling. Quote Link to comment
gpimm Posted December 3, 2011 Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 I tried looking through the topics for info, but didn't have much luck. What are my options for upgrading the front suspension on my 1200? I have looked for front strut inserts, and haven't had much luck, so I'm thinking a strut swap may be the answer, but don't know what works the best? Any help will be appreciated. :) KYB GR2 inserts for the first generation Volkswagen Rabbit will fit with some work. You will need a spacer to go under the cartridge as the Rabbit insert is shorter. The nut on the top of the strut will need to be modified to fit the Rabbit insert. I took the Datsun strut nuts and one of the nuts that came with the Volkswagen cartridges to a local machine shop and had them machine the insides of the Datsun nut to have the same dimensions as the Volkswagen part. Later we found out that the 1200 had had KYB inserts installed sometime in the past and that the KYB strut nuts would work. I used my modified Datsun nuts and gave the other pair to a friend when we put Volkswagen strut carts in his 1200. The spacer can be made a couple of different ways. My friend did what the late Dan Hall told him and used exhaust tubing. I used some 1.5" diameter .375 wall aluminum tubing. The GR2 inserts for the Rabbit are a nicely valved shock for the 1200. Nice ride. Firm but supple. I have this setup on my yellow street 1200. 1200guy has the setup on his orange street 1200. I think the Volkswagen inserts were less than $50.00 ea. at the local parts warehouse that specializes in Volkswagen. Quote Link to comment
goes2fast Posted December 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2011 KYB GR2 inserts for the first generation Volkswagen Rabbit will fit with some work. You will need a spacer to go under the cartridge as the Rabbit insert is shorter. The nut on the top of the strut will need to be modified to fit the Rabbit insert. I took the Datsun strut nuts and one of the nuts that came with the Volkswagen cartridges to a local machine shop and had them machine the insides of the Datsun nut to have the same dimensions as the Volkswagen part. Later we found out that the 1200 had had KYB inserts installed sometime in the past and that the KYB strut nuts would work. I used my modified Datsun nuts and gave the other pair to a friend when we put Volkswagen strut carts in his 1200. The spacer can be made a couple of different ways. My friend did what the late Dan Hall told him and used exhaust tubing. I used some 1.5" diameter .375 wall aluminum tubing. The GR2 inserts for the Rabbit are a nicely valved shock for the 1200. Nice ride. Firm but supple. I have this setup on my yellow street 1200. 1200guy has the setup on his orange street 1200. I think the Volkswagen inserts were less than $50.00 ea. at the local parts warehouse that specializes in Volkswagen. Thanks for the info, but I already bought a pair of 280ZX struts for it, just need B310 lower control arms and steering arms and I'm set for the conversion. Quote Link to comment
Ron1200 Posted December 4, 2011 Report Share Posted December 4, 2011 You can buy new KONI front shocks. And in 2009 I bought new front shocks from Nissan. Do you need new shocks? The problem with changing struts is that you increase the unsprung weight, which is not good for handling. KONI Front Strut Insert for Nissan (Datsun) 1200 (B110) Coupe & Sedan 1970-1973. - $200/pair Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 4, 2011 Report Share Posted December 4, 2011 Yep, Roger just bought a set of those Konis about two weeks ago. Quote Link to comment
goes2fast Posted December 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 KONI Front Strut Insert for Nissan (Datsun) 1200 (B110) Coupe & Sedan 1970-1973. - $200/pair Thanks, They must be old stock, because I looked in the current online Koni catalog, and they was no listing for 1200s. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 5, 2011 Report Share Posted December 5, 2011 Yes, brand new KONI parts, old stock. If you want new stock, Nissan has them. But if you already got the 280ZX struts no worries. Those have brakes suitable for racing and repeated hard stops. Quote Link to comment
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