74 datsun 260 suspension

[samcarr11]

Got a question for all you datsun 260 gurus

Im just now getting into restoring a '74 260, i was wondering when changing the suspension do you have to replace the whole strut assembly or can the strut tube be removed from the assembly?

[gmac708]

The shock absorber goes inside the strut. It's held there by a nut that screws on top of the strut and kind of captures it inside. The Spring goes around the outside. Both the shock and the spring can be changed or swapped out with a little work.

[evildky]

The struts on all S30's use a cartridge. This means you have to remove the strut and spring then the gland nut to remove the cartridge or if it's original the guts of the damper. Really not as bad as it sounds. In stock form the housing is the body of the strut and is a buildable and tunable damper. Unfortunately unless you have access to a variety of restrictors and fluids and access to a shock dyno you're best bet is to replace the guts with a cartridge. The biggest issue with removal of the struts is the rear strut pin, it can be a real mother to get out and you might have to take the lower control arm out with it and have a shop press it out and buy new pins as they often mushroom (be sure to remove the lock bolt before you try removing the pins).

[samcarr11]

I have seen come coil over conversion kits.. Would this be a good coversion? Is it worth the money?

[evildky]

Define "kit"? I have the Ground Control "kit" that requires cutting and welding of the spring perch or in my case shortening the strut housing to accept a shorter cartridge to lower the car while keeping the strut in it's "happy zone" and also using a strut with better valving to accept the much higher spring rates I run. There were a couple of boutique manufacturers selling bolt in kits but they were not cheap. Ultimately it depends on what you want to do with the car how much money you're willing to spend and what your particular skill set is. So please, tell us more about your car and what you would like in the end, we'll do our best to help you get there.

[samcarr11]

https://technotoytuning.com/nissan/260z ... z-and-280z

This is the kit I was talking about. I'm not really wanting to do a lot of racing... Just a restoration project for my brother and I.

[djwarner]

When you say "restoration", do you mean as original, to restore daily driver performance, or modest performance improvement.

How bad is the current suspension? Did a previous owner lower the car - or are you wanting to lower the car?

If you are trying to restore a car to daily driver status, replace the shock struts with KYBs.

If you really want to change to go with coil overs, check out...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/D2-Racing-RS-Co ... 0817878433

[samcarr11]

An older style car with modern day performance

[samcarr11]

An older style car with modern day performance.

Its stock hight.. An no dont really want to lower it... Just wanta better ride

[samcarr11]

That coil over kit might be a bit over kill for what I plan on doing.

[AZhitman]

evildky is right - Get her back to "as-new" performance, and you'll be impressed with how great the Z handled from the factory!

TTT does make some nice parts, but in general, they're unnecessary for a restoration or even a "modernization."

[samcarr11]

Well im open for suggestions so if you prefer one thing over the other let me know. I can use all the info!

[djwarner]

From what you say, I would suggest replacing your struts/shocks with KYBs. you can get them through any parts supplier and are far less expensive than what you are suggesting.

I had no idea how bad the shocks in my car were until I replaced them. The original S30 was quite capable. Second, look for the date code on the tires. Mine were about 10 years old and were rock hard. I had never experienced just how badly they affected the ride until I changed them. Third, examine the linkage on the anti-sway bars. They sit out exposed to the environment and the rubber parts can become quite perished. Forth, examine the rubber bushings in the suspension parts for excessive play or hardness.

One point about the shocks, the struts have to be removed and the springs compressed before you can replaced the shock cartridge. It's best to have a Z savvy shop do the job. Many of these shops have tales about springs trying to leave the building through the roof. Unfortunately, the service manuals are of little help here because they specify special tools that nobody has any more.

[evildky]

Those coil overs are the GC's, that requires cutting and welding of the perch and if you want to lower the car it'll require sectioning the housings. Gabe at TTT has been great to deal with form my experience but unless you're building a race car I'd skip the coil overs. Some KYB's an doff the shelf lowering springs will greatly improve handling without punishing your kidneys. MSA (Zcarparts.com) I believe still have a few choices and will likely be the source of many other parts depending on your needs.