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Rear AWD Strut Spacers
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Author:  spare tire [ Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Rear AWD Strut Spacers

What is everyone using to take up the space between the rear strut tower and the top of the strut when doing the AWD conversion?
All this is on a 89 Dodge Colt that I purchased mid way through the swap. Right now I am trying to fix all the incorrect things the guy that started this swap did ( I will not go into details trust me you dont wanna know.) Thanks for the help!

Author:  thomcasey [ Thu Aug 28, 2014 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

There are three ways to do it:

Hardest: Lower the rear strut towers to the correct height.

Medium: Weld a secong strut bolt eylet on the bottom of the exsisting one

Easiest: Use a 10" spring on the strut to get the right height.

At least, this is what I gleaned form AWD guys at the SO.

Author:  89Mirageman [ Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

Search for Jafromobile on Youtube. He goes into detail on this.

Author:  spare tire [ Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

Thomcasey
So use the stock Dodge Colt strut with a 10" spring? What spring rate are you guys typically running in the back of these swaps?
I measured from the top of the strut tower to the center of the mounting point on the knuckle its roughly 25" at ride height.
I have a stock DSM AWD strut assy it measured roughly 22" over all length.
Anyone fabricate & sell those spring spacers? I have access to a welder but not to a press to bend the plate.

I did watch some of Jafromobile's videos on you tube. The only one I found was where he put in the DSM shock towers. I called afco earlier today they said the had a coil over that was 26" fully extended with a rod end on one end & a stud on the other. Over winter I might pick those up and possibly do a write up if they work out.

Author:  SPOOLD [ Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

I've been doing some research myself and checking out a few friend's setups since i'm considering going awd.I'm a fan of doing a spacer between the upper mount and the tower the most. They would be relatively easy to make and you retain correct suspension travel with the struts and don't have to modify the towers (not as easy to work around on a sedan either).

Pretty much a leveling lift like that is popular on modern trucks and suvs. Here's a good example of a homemade one.
Image

Author:  j2dapo [ Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

I extended the top hats. If you go awd the strut is also at the wrong angle. I compensated for this too with the top hat.

Author:  spare tire [ Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

So use the stock colt top hats, & struts than & build spacers. Sounds like a plan. Thank for the help guys!
I will let everyone know how those AFCO coil overs work once I order them they should be almost a direct bolt in with no top hat extenders needed.

Author:  Flying Eagle [ Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

Just wanted to emphasize that an AWD strut that is givena taller than stock AWD spring, when the vehicle encounters bumps, if the shock is dual stage based upon height/intensity of movement, raising a sitting point will change where this occurs.

So, a spacer means nothin changes about how high the rod is extended at rest.

Author:  spare tire [ Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

I knew that by putting on a longer coil spring it would not change the extended length of the strut.
I just wanted to get an idea of what people were doing with the rear struts while performing the swap.
The car I bought was part way through the swap but the previous owner(s) lost interest. I should post pics of what one of the previous owners cobbled together for the rear struts. One word SCARY!

So the question is which strut cartridge is everyone using?
The stock DSM one with the top hat extenders?
OR the stock colt struts with a 10" spring and extenders?
Which one has the longer strut? I don't have a stock colt strut to measure the difference in length or see if it would work.
Thanks for everyone's input/ help

Author:  j2dapo [ Thu Sep 04, 2014 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

Quote:
The stock DSM one with the top hat.
+1, specifically awd dsm agx's with awd galant springs and an extended tophat. A spacer like the one posted above is the same type of setup. Although my extended tophat a are not as tall and give the strut a better/different fitment angle.

Author:  spare tire [ Thu Sep 04, 2014 1:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

Thank you thats what I wanted to know!

Author:  SS [ Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

I am looking at changing my setup. I did the 8-10" 250lb spring on a awd kyb agx because that's what we had that worked but it's not right. I'll take some pics today and keep my progress updated.

Author:  aaronsbig16g [ Sun Sep 07, 2014 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

This is what I did with mine.

Image

Author:  moidsm1 [ Wed Sep 17, 2014 1:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

Aaron. Do you have a tutorial on your spacers? Looks easy but what is the length and angle in degrees?

Author:  aaronsbig16g [ Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rear AWD Strut Spacers

It's 2" on the low side I do believe. I can't remember the angle, I used my buddies chop saw until the strut lined up with the mounting point.

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