Tkirk___68 Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 Has anyone used a s13 sub frame for their coil over conversion? I’m wondering how much fab work goes into get the subframe mounted and coil overs on yo replace leaf in the rear. Any advice/knowledge is greatly appreciated. This is my first build so I’m asking around for ad much info and know how asi can 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 I would caution you, that if you have never done something similar, don't have thousands of dollars to spend on it, a secure covered garage work space, welding and fabricating tools, time, knowledge or if you have a girlfriend.... it would be better to leave this alone. That said, every builder started somewhere and there was always a first time. If you have all the above but experience, enthusiasm may be enough for you to complete this project. I will say it's sad when incomplete projects get sold off or worse... scrapped. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 Search for Bob's MX520. Bob swapped/fabbed a Miata subframe to the rear of a 520. Hell, almost every bit of that Miata went into the truck. His thread will give you a bit of I sight to what it will take. Also note that the 240sx is wider than a 521. 240sx is also independent with CV axles; your truck being leaf spring/solid axle. Things to think about. Why is this thought coming about? What are you trying to gain? 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 Another thing to consider is the S13s struts attach to the body while the 620's suspension is attached to the frame. The 620 body won't support struts and will tear off the frame. You will need to fab some kind of support for the tops of the struts to be structurally connected to the frame. 1 Quote Link to comment
INDY510 Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 This guy did it to a 620 truck: http://community.ratsun.net/topic/15875-chadcopelandcom-620-build/ Looks like a lot of work, even for a skilled fabricator, and thousands of dollars Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 This is my first build so ..... 2 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 Here we go again. This is why I never did my 4 link and mini tub let. Money and time and for what I am not sure. In the end is it all worth it. 1 Quote Link to comment
G-Duax Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 I've seen a 510 diff & sub-frame put under one. But why ? Weaker diff, which probably goes for the Miata one also. Would be easier to turn a 240 into a pick-up. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tkirk___68 Posted December 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 All this Info is great, thank you. I will look into true Miata as well. Thanks for everyone’s response. I have some research to do 1 Quote Link to comment
Tkirk___68 Posted December 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Does anyone have recommendations for a coil over conversion that is more practical money and time wise? Maybe stay with leafs in the rear as well? 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Why the need for coilovers? Because all the race kids use them? Use blocks to lower and buy good shocks(KYB GasAJust). Save the money to buy parts that matter. EI dizzy, Weber carb, and maybe some wheels. It's a truck. 2 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Why the need for coilovers? Because all the race kids use them? Use blocks to lower and buy good shocks(KYB GasAJust). Save the money to buy parts that matter. EI dizzy, Weber carb, and maybe some wheels. It's a truck. Well nothing wrong with being cool. But yes to just drive it around don’t waste the money. 1 Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 have you looked at beebani's stuff? On eBay i think his seller name is beebani1028... He makes a couple different things for our trucks up front and I think for the rear it's a 4 or 5 link with a watts link.... I bough a brake kit from him and plan on buying his rear kit. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 If going 4 link...yes, use coil overs. Afco or QA1 offer the easiest/best buy. But to use coilovers on a leaf truck...you're doing nothing but spending money. They won't lower the truck or perform for the price. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 By the time you stiffen up the springs and shocks on an IRS to get rid of the brake induced toe in and toe out rear steering, you may as well have leaf springs anyway. Lower judiciously so you don't fuck up the underside on a raised manhole lid, get some nice tires and rims, a disc brake kit, electronic ignition, larger alternator, a 2" exhaust system with larger muffler, HID headlamps and some nice comfortable seats. Later think about an engine swap. An L20B is 50% larger displacement and literally drops in as it also is an L series engine. A Z22 or Z24 with an L head makes it into an L series (mostly) and bolts in. Then there is the KA series and 5 speed. It's all been done before and documented. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Well nothing wrong with being cool. But yes to just drive it around don’t waste the money. He is speaking from experience!!! LOL Pictures please! Quote Link to comment
Tkirk___68 Posted December 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Okay I will take your word for it. Is there a set of coil overs that I can install without modifications,? Or very little mods Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Again...coilovers will not do anything by being bolted in. Nothing. They will not lower your truck. They will not make you corner any better. They will not even get seen. Break that thought. Coilovers are expensive. On cars that could actually benefit from them they are still on the wasteful side. They're set once and never touched again in most situations. This is a horrible way to spend $1000+. 1 Quote Link to comment
konig209 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Coilovers front and rear done. Low? well second lowest static dropped 521. Comfort? better than torsions and leafs all day. Handling? I can say running 15x11 doesnt allow me to give an opinion. But if it wasnt for that this thing would handle amazing. But my over all experience is every penny was worth it. Cruising on the freeway at 85mph is the most comfortable thing ever. "Until i bottom out the frame lol". Waste of money? Not at all worth every penny. 2017-12-10_01-48-39 by Carlos Ortiz, on Flickr 2017-12-10_01-47-57 by Carlos Ortiz, on Flickr 2 1 Quote Link to comment
mklotz70 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 These are a good bit cheaper than QA1's.....at least that's what I've heard......so you might want to take a look at them. https://www.afcodynapro.com/PROSHOCKS/1827310179 The can be mounted to the stock locations, but I would HIGHLY recommend that you reinforce those mounts!!! They were not designed to handle the weight of the vehicle. Both of these are running coilovers.....the top one has modified upper mounts, the bottom does not, but I think he's going to before it hits the road. We'll be putting a rack and pinion in it before that happens. :) http://www.bluehandsinc.com/big-brake-ball-joint-5-lug.html 2 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Coilovers front and rear done. Low? well second lowest static dropped 521. Comfort? better than torsions and leafs all day. Handling? I can say running 15x11 doesnt allow me to give an opinion. But if it wasnt for that this thing would handle amazing. But my over all experience is every penny was worth it. Cruising on the freeway at 85mph is the most comfortable thing ever. "Until i bottom out the frame lol". Waste of money? Not at all worth every penny.2017-12-10_01-48-39 by Carlos Ortiz, on Flickr2017-12-10_01-47-57 by Carlos Ortiz, on Flickr If going this far, I'm on board. And that is a whole lot of pennies spent. But until one reaches ^ that ^.... 1 Quote Link to comment
konig209 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 If going this far, I'm on board. And that is a whole lot of pennies spent. But until one reaches ^ that ^.... Yeah on the freeway at high speeds its super comfy. Except for the seat. Lol But this i did well anything is better than stock. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted December 10, 2017 Report Share Posted December 10, 2017 Is all that stuff in a thread of yours, Carlos? 1 Quote Link to comment
Tkirk___68 Posted December 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 Thank you guys I appreciate the input 2 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 I appreciate the input, thank you. We’re are you located in Cali. I’m in the south. I live in corona. 1 Quote Link to comment
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