71dimeSR20 Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 Hi, looking to find some direct bolt on rear shocks for my 71 510 sedan. Something that is quality but doesn’t break the bank. Also is there a donor car that would supply bolt on front suspension for my car as well??? Maybe a 240z or a BMW??? I believe the front suspension are coil overs... thank you! Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 Front suspension is a McPherson strut which combines steering, coil spring and shock absorber into one unit. In a manner of speaking they are coil overs but fixed and not adjustable. It's common for many Datsun car owners (510, 610, 710, B-210, S10, A10 and maybe the S110?) to put '79-'83 280zx front struts in their cars. This strut uses a larger hub wheel bearing than the 510 and a shorter strut tube so it will lower the car slightly but best of all monster calipers and dinner dish vented rotors. One hell of a brake up-grade! but you will likely need 14" rims to clear them. The stock 510 coil can be used, shortened if wanted, and used with the 510 top hat. Alternatively you can buy adjustable coil-overs but I can't see spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on something you never adjust. My 710 uses a shortened 710 coil and has adjustable ride height and it cost me $25. If you don't care to do your own modifications and money is no object get the coil over 'kit'. 1 Quote Link to comment
71dimeSR20 Posted January 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 @datzenmike is there a strut insert (the shock inside of the coil) that would work for stock 71 510 struts?? Like something load adjusting?? Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 1 hour ago, 71dimeSR20 said: @datzenmike is there a strut insert (the shock inside of the coil) that would work for stock 71 510 struts?? Like something load adjusting?? I have tokiko inserts in mine that are made for 280zx, I used spacers to make up the length and placed them on the bottom of the tube, worked great. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 Stock struts are oil bath in that the valve mechanism is inside the oil filled strut tube. What I did when I swapped to the Maxima struts is dump out this thin watery hydraulic fluid and replace with thicker viscosity motorcycle fork oil. This way the unique Datsun compression and rebound valving remains the same. Thicker fluid requires more force to push through the valves so the shock becomes firmer. I tried and seem happy with 20W oil from BellRay. About $12 a liter... enough to do 3 struts. Fork oil comes in many viscosity and is an ideal way to tune your motorcycle suspension and it works on a car just as well. Load adjusting? I don't think anyone actually gets out and adjusts their shocks. Once you get the car where you want it why would you adjust it softer to drive home? Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 He did ask for inserts. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 True enough. However boughten is not always better. There is no direct replacement for he 510 and the best you can do is one for some other car. 14 hours ago, 71dimeSR20 said: Something that is quality but doesn’t break the bank. Also is there a donor car that would supply bolt on front suspension for my car as well??? Maybe a 240z or a BMW??? I believe the front suspension are coil overs... thank you! All options should be considered. Likely the 510 still has the original oil bath dampers so they would have to be drained anyway. What could be simpler than to just replace the oil? It seems that cost is also a consideration and the owner is not familiar with the dime suspension. 1 Quote Link to comment
71dimeSR20 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 20 hours ago, KoHeartsGPA said: I have tokiko inserts in mine that are made for 280zx, I used spacers to make up the length and placed them on the bottom of the tube, worked great. What is the part number of the tockico shocks you used? Also what size of spacer did you use?? Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 I'll have to look through my album, over 1k pictures lol, hopefully I have it. Quote Link to comment
71dimeSR20 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 2 minutes ago, KoHeartsGPA said: I'll have to look through my album, over 1k pictures lol, hopefully I have it. Thank you! What kind of motor did you put in your Datsun?? 1 Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 36 minutes ago, 71dimeSR20 said: What is the part number of the tockico shocks you used? Also what size of spacer did you use?? The spacers are large washers of the inside diameter of the tube Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Anything new will be fine. You won't notice much of a difference unless you race it. Most dampers have a really soft compression to make driving comfy. 1 Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 (edited) 45 minutes ago, 71dimeSR20 said: Thank you! What kind of motor did you put in your Datsun?? L20b with a single side draft 48mm Mikuni. Edited January 10, 2019 by KoHeartsGPA Quote Link to comment
KoHeartsGPA Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 15 minutes ago, Icehouse said: Anything new will be fine. You won't notice much of a difference unless you race it. Most dampers have a really soft compression to make driving comfy. Icehouse sighting!!!! Quote Link to comment
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