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Thread: Strut kits

  1. #1

    Default Strut kits

    I recently bought an 80 Fairmont w/ 3.3 L engine. I have been looking around but had no luck in finding a "strut kit assembly" for this car.

    Any help appreciated if you know if they make these or I have to do a standard strut install.

  2. #2

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    I am confused. You just need new front struts?

  3. #3

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    I too am confused. What else are you looking to be assembled to the strut? Changing the upper mount is easy.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  4. #4
    FEP Super Member Travis T's Avatar
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    I think the OP is thinking about the quick struts that are available with the springs installed. These foxes are not like that.
    1984 Mustang GT owned since 1991 (first car). Mercury Mountaineer GT-40P engine, some suspension mods, currently undergoing a five lug SN95 brake upgrade and more suspension mods. Some minor body and interior mods have been done as well.

    2004 GT convertible, 2001 Taurus LX, 1994 F150, 1950 F-1 Ford Pickup

  5. #5
    Mike1157
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    How are they not? I have a stock replacement KYB for a 78 strut w/ a UPR C/O kit slid over it.

  6. #6
    FEP Super Member Travis T's Avatar
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    I didn't take it as he was looking for a coil over kit but maybe?
    1984 Mustang GT owned since 1991 (first car). Mercury Mountaineer GT-40P engine, some suspension mods, currently undergoing a five lug SN95 brake upgrade and more suspension mods. Some minor body and interior mods have been done as well.

    2004 GT convertible, 2001 Taurus LX, 1994 F150, 1950 F-1 Ford Pickup

  7. #7
    FEP Senior Member Patrick Olsen's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike1157 View Post
    How are they not? I have a stock replacement KYB for a 78 strut w/ a UPR C/O kit slid over it.
    I think you answered your own question by saying you have an aftermarket coil-over conversion kit.

  8. #8

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    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  9. #9

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    Sorry for the confusion but yes I am looking for the coil over kit as they have them for newer vehicles. I have not found any for my car yet.

  10. #10
    FEP Super Member Travis T's Avatar
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    Maximum Motorsports and other aftermarket suppliers offer those if you're looking to change the original design.
    1984 Mustang GT owned since 1991 (first car). Mercury Mountaineer GT-40P engine, some suspension mods, currently undergoing a five lug SN95 brake upgrade and more suspension mods. Some minor body and interior mods have been done as well.

    2004 GT convertible, 2001 Taurus LX, 1994 F150, 1950 F-1 Ford Pickup

  11. #11

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    QA1 and some others, but they aren't cheap. When you say "like is available on newer cars" are you talking about a "Quick Strut" that comes with the spring mounted to it, like for a Taurus or something?

    http://www.monroe.com/en-US/catalog/e-Catalog/171615

    Because that's a very different thing than a coilover.

    http://www.qa1.net/suspension/street...l-strut-system

    The fox body uses what's called a "modified macpherson strut" where the strut is separate from the spring. So you're not going to find a standard Monoe strut/spring set. A coilover is more of an expensive premium performance upgrade that moves the spring from it's original location onto the shock.

    Sorry for the confusion, but you're not giving us a lot to work with, so we can't really tell what you do or don't know about your front suspension. Just thought I'd make sure we're all on the same page though.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  12. #12
    FEP Super Member Travis T's Avatar
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    That's why I said change the original design, I'm still not sure either.
    1984 Mustang GT owned since 1991 (first car). Mercury Mountaineer GT-40P engine, some suspension mods, currently undergoing a five lug SN95 brake upgrade and more suspension mods. Some minor body and interior mods have been done as well.

    2004 GT convertible, 2001 Taurus LX, 1994 F150, 1950 F-1 Ford Pickup

  13. #13

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    Thanks ZephyrEFI for you showed me what I am looking for.

    http://www.monroe.com/en-US/catalog/e-Catalog/171615 , I've been out of the country and not worked on cars for about 15-20 years so

    I was unsure of the correct terminology.

  14. #14
    FEP Super Member Travis T's Avatar
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    That's not how these fox cars work, the spring does not mount on the struts in these cars. All you need is the strut.
    1984 Mustang GT owned since 1991 (first car). Mercury Mountaineer GT-40P engine, some suspension mods, currently undergoing a five lug SN95 brake upgrade and more suspension mods. Some minor body and interior mods have been done as well.

    2004 GT convertible, 2001 Taurus LX, 1994 F150, 1950 F-1 Ford Pickup

  15. #15

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    Yeah, that's for a Taurus. I just used it as an example. Here's a picture of my front suspension.

    Name:  Front 3a.jpg
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    The strut is separate from the spring. A Quick Strut would be impossible for a Fox.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  16. #16

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    ZephyrEFI , so it's normal for the spring to be bowed out/in? I am replacing struts in my Fairmont but when I was underneath the car (on ramps) the spring was a bit bowed in and I don't need the extra labor charges if springs are weak.

    Thanks for taking the time to snap a pic & elaborate for me in layman terms.

  17. #17

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    No problem. If you look at the top and bottom spring seats, they are at different angles, so the spring will bow a bit. The pic is actually my old suspension where the springs were way too tall, so the bow out is pretty exaggerated. Replacing those springs SUCKS, so don't do it if you don't have to.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  18. #18

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    Getting the struts & springs done $30/side by a co-worker. I don't have a garage to work out of. Thanks to everyone for your input and advice.

  19. #19

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    Wow, that's a screamin' deal! Hopefully he knows what he's in for, haha.
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

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