280ZX rear strut & 300ZX front strut J30 options

[J30inthe sun]

I am going replace all 4 struts shortly.

We now know the rear struts for a 1981 280ZX or 1984 Nissan Maxima will bolt right on to the J30 without any mods.

Also, we know that the 1989 300ZX front strut cartridges with some modding can work for the front.

I am going to go with either Monroe or KYB. Both brands make a front and the rear strut.

If given the choice, which brand would you buy?

Any opinions?

I am leaning on going with KYB on all 4 corners.

[yodawill2000]

I believe is was 240 struts I used on the rear.
Your PM's are disabled.

[J30inthe sun]

Yes they were disabled. LOL. Don't know how that happened. What year 240? Do you know what part #?

In the original thread, jdurrty used 1981 280zx struts on the rear:

http://forums.nicoclub.com/new-struts-for-40-t500487.html

I replaced my fronts with KYB 1989 300zx struts BTW. Nice tight ride.

[yodawill2000]

My bad !!
Sux being old.. lol Yeah, I used the same one's he did.
What all did you have to mod for the fronts ?
That spacer thing for the Tube ?

[J30inthe sun]

My bad !!
Sux being old.. lol Yeah, I used the same one's he did.
What all did you have to mod for the fronts ?
That spacer thing for the Tube ?

The retaining nut that goes on the top of the strut cartridge tube that holds the top of the strut cartridge in place needed the ID widened. The Shop I took it to used a hand pneumatic grinder like a dremel tool.

These are the pictures from the other thread NOT my actual pictures.
This nut:


Also the very top of the strut threads, it needed a spacer to make up for the smaller OD of the 300ZX where the strut enters the top bearing.

This is where the top strut threads enter the top bearing:


This takes up the space in between:


I used KYB struts 1989 300ZX Part #: KY365056. Between these struts & the polyurethane tension rod bushings, the front end is the best it has ever felt. That's even since I originally purchased it with 39,000 miles. Every other piece of the front suspension has 41,000 miles on it.

[yodawill2000]

good deal !! everything except the tension rod bushings up front in mine have 200K + on it.

[jdurrty]

After a year and a half and 30,000 miles, this mod has been amazing. In retrospect I would have used a metal bushing in between the strut and the tophat rather than the white plastic one pictured above. The plastic ones have finally started to wear out and will make creaking noises when I turn the wheels to a certain point. Just a pointer

[J30inthe sun]

After a year and a half and 30,000 miles, this mod has been amazing. In retrospect I would have used a metal bushing in between the strut and the tophat rather than the white plastic one pictured above. The plastic ones have finally started to wear out and will make creaking noises when I turn the wheels to a certain point. Just a pointer

Sounds like you need a louder radio.

On a serious note. In regards to the rear struts, you originally stated in the "New struts for $40!!!!!!" thread, "When I ordered the struts this is the criteria I used: 1981 280zx, targa top, non-turbo."

I was wondering if you could tell me which rear strut brand you used and part number & exactly which year 280ZX you used in ordering. The reason I ask is because KYB makes 2 different ones for a 1981 280ZX.

This strut is listed for 1979 To AUGUST 1981:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0035

And this one is listed as From SEPTEMBER 1981 to 1983:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0035

Your help would be appreciated.

[J30tChumpCar]

After watching the different vehicle dynamic between us and the winning z32 (300zx) at our last race I pulled the trigger on a set of rear KYB 341012 struts from rock auto. Using a 5% promo discount the total was $80 and change including shipping.

A little late asking, as the order is already placed, can someone tell me where these 280zx shocks are the 1 inch shorter i.e. the body, spring perch height or overall length.

[J30inthe sun]

...I pulled the trigger on a set of rear KYB 341012 struts... ...can someone tell me where these 280zx shocks are the 1 inch shorter i.e. the body, spring perch height or overall length.

It looks like the only difference is the fully extended piston. Once mounted with a load on them there will be no difference.



That pic is from this thread:

http://forums.nicoclub.com/new-struts-for-40-t500487.html

[J30tChumpCar]

Thanks for the pic,must have missed it while skimming for application and part numbers when I suddenly got the urge to check ebay and rock auto to compare prices. Before I knew it was already ordered.

Looks like it will work perfectly, we already run cut springs -2.5 coils, no need for a spring compressor!

[jester4666]

i'm still waiting for a response to my question about the MR2 rear strut inserts for the front of our cars.....on another thread....

[J30inthe sun]

i'm still waiting for a response to my question about the MR2 rear strut inserts for the front of our cars.....on another thread....

Are you really interested in putting struts cartridges designed for a 2800 lb car into a 3600 lb car? IDK, maybe the weight of the car will have no impact on the strut?

[Mkiisupra]

i'm still waiting for a response to my question about the MR2 rear strut inserts for the front of our cars.....on another thread....

Are you really interested in putting struts cartridges designed for a 2800 lb car into a 3600 lb car? IDK, maybe the weight of the car will have no impact on the strut?

What relevance does weight have? I know for a fact the z31 doesnt weight 3600lbs (@2900lbs) and neither does the Porsche 944(@2900lbs) option that J30kidd installed, but that hasnt stopped any of you from installing them. How is it any different? Please explain this.

The MR2 rear strut was only brought up because I know its a well working option in other cars that use the same terrible strut insert type suspension. However after comparing measurements on the monroe website, the only downfall is the suspension travel is shorter than the porsche cartridge. Which really doesnt matter anyway considering the KYB website shows completely different measurements for the same application.

Ill just order what I feel will work best and keep any other possible options to myself. Thanks anyway.

[J30inthe sun]

What relevance does weight have? I know for a fact the z31 doesnt weight 3600lbs (@2900lbs) and neither does the Porsche 944(@2900lbs) option that J30kidd installed, but that hasnt stopped any of you from installing them. How is it any different? Please explain this.

I mistakenly thought that I had Z32 NOT Z31 strut inserts. Apparently the difference of @700 lbs between Z31 & Y32 isn't making a difference in my ride. Perhaps you missed the part of my post that said "IDK", which means "I don't know" if the weight difference matters.

Coincidentally, you seem to mention something very similar:

http://forums.nicoclub.com/new-struts-for-40-t500487-120.html#p6385761

It is fairly impossible to decipher solid information from this thread about which strut is the best. I do not feel that using a strut insert from a car that weighs 1000lbs less is a good idea, even just for the life of the strut insert itself....

.
.

[J30tChumpCar]

Either way please keep all potential options in public and on the table as some people (like me) DO run a j30 that weighs 2800lbs

[jester4666]

i'm just looking for an insert for the front that i don't have to modify parts to make it work. i'm not that technically inclined and i'm financially challenged when it comes to paying someone to do it for me.......

[J30inthe sun]

i'm just looking for an insert for the front that i don't have to modify parts to make it work. i'm not that technically inclined and i'm financially challenged when it comes to paying someone to do it for me.......

Front strut inserts are $177 each + shipping from Infiniti parts USA dot com. This is going to be cheaper than your local dealer. It is a dealer only item. There is not a direct replacement that you can order in your local parts store that will be a direct replacement that doesn't need to be modified.

You are looking at $354 for both front struts plus shipping for struts that may have been sitting on the shelf for 15+ years which would make me skeptical of their longevity. I only got 40k miles out of the front struts I ordered from Infiniti usa in 2008.

Or you can buy a pair of KYB struts for a Z31 300zx for @ $80 and save about $270 which should cover the cost of a shop performing the mod and installing them.

These are the cheapest options.

[jester4666]

i won't use KYB stuff. bad experiences with other cars.

[yodawill2000]

Do tell ??

[J30tChumpCar]

Got the new rear struts from Rock Auto, everything was exactly as the above picture, the piston shaft measured the same diameter, by hand compression seemed tighter then stock but rebound was lighter, possibly due to a new/full gas charge.
Installation was a snap, direct bolt in. More comments after this weekends race @ Atlanta Motor Speedway.

[J30inthe sun]

Got the new rear struts from Rock Auto, everything was exactly as the above picture, the piston shaft measured the same diameter, by hand compression seemed tighter then stock but rebound was lighter, possibly due to a new/full gas charge.
Installation was a snap, direct bolt in. More comments after this weekends race @ Atlanta Motor Speedway.

What was the exact model # please?

[J30tChumpCar]

KYB 341012

A cross reference here in this ebay auction
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-341012-Rear ... 0691811098
Cheaper then I just paid
http://www.amazon.com/KYB-341012-GR-2-S ... B000C44C58

[J30inthe sun]

Thank you!

[J30tChumpCar]

Got the new rear struts from Rock Auto, everything was exactly as the above picture, the piston shaft measured the same diameter, by hand compression seemed tighter then stock but rebound was lighter, possibly due to a new/full gas charge.
Installation was a snap, direct bolt in. More comments after this weekends race @ Atlanta Motor Speedway.

After 1000 miles of intense road racing I have to admit this was one of our top <$100 improvements, the rear was well planted. Now to find some stiffer stockish front springs and some new thicker front strut oil/fluid to get the front acting like the rear. Any ideas?

[J30inthe sun]

And some people said they will not use KYB. Glad to hear of the improvement. Those are the same exact shocks I will be putting in the rear soon.

[jester4666]

Do tell ??

mainly it's the product being stamped with the incorrect part number....then the hassle of dealing with trying to find the right part that is stamped with the wrong part number. this is me ordering from KYB, not just some random supplier.


as far as me using KYB...if that's the best option i have for this car, then i guess i'll just have to hope for the best.

[J30inthe sun]

These are all the option I could find when I looked onto it:

FRONT STRUT:
1984-1989 NISSAN 300ZX

MONROE Part # 73229 OESpectrum - OEM replacement
KYB Part # 365056 GR-2 / Excel-G - OEM replacement
Gabriel Ultra/Shock/Strut - Part # G44968 Alternate Part # G46818
Tokico HZ3100 HP Series
Tokico BZ4005 Illumina shock (incl. adj. susp. turbo) five-position adjustment
Koni 8641 1060 Sport

Bilstein B6 Part # 34-002643 Old Part # F4-P30-0264-H0 Old Part # F4-P30-0264-H1


REAR STRUT:
1981 Nissan 280ZX or 1984 Nissan Maxima

MONROE Part # 71209 OESpectrum - OEM replacement
KYB Part # 341012 GR-2 / Excel-G - OEM replacement
KYB Part # KG9101 Gas-A-Just - Performance replacement
Gabriel Ultra/Shock/Strut - Part # G51229 Alternate Part # G51020
Tokico HU2286 HP Series

[jester4666]

something that i'm curious about though....i thought front & rear were strut insert set ups. i saw that the KYB part was a full strut, not just an insert.

[J30inthe sun]

Fronts are inserts. The rear is more like a shock unit.