Front struts with spring perch?

[takza]

Has anyone found these for the 4WD wagon? Can't seem to find any...my front struts have a different sized cartridge than is typical...or at least the cartridges I tried to put in wouldn't fit.

Here is a pic of the 2WD strut with perch that is the type I'm looking for....

[SynthDesign]

I have yet to see a complete strut assembly for sale new as pictured for our T4WD.
Only inserts. It would be interesting if you found one thou.

[ARCHINSTL]

I agree with SynthDesign. When I was looking for same back in the Fall of '07, I found absolutely nothing, whether in this country or others.
While I could be wrong, I don't recall others save you, takza, who have this type of strut (I'd not think that you were the only one, though).
How about just going to a JY and taking off the rebuildable struts from a newer Wagon and getting the inserts, mounts, and stops and rebuilding and using those instead? Or maybe someone here could sell some unneeded struts for rebuilding?
Actually - the FSM does not differentiate between the sedan and wagon struts - maybe they are the same? Perhaps grab a couple from a sedan in a JY and compare - couldn't cost that much.
Tom M.

[takza]

Could be that I either have some off size struts...or RockAuto sent the wrong cartridges. This was several years ago. Looks like I'll need to get an OD on the strut housing and look again.

[Petros]

Inspecting struts from different model Toyotas I have not see any exactly the same size as the Tercel (though the FWD Tercel looks identical to the 4wd), all of the Toyotas struts are remarkably similar. Our Corolla All-trac front struts look identical, except they are larger dia and generally heavier all the way around.

This makes me wonder if there is a heavier model Toyota front strut assembly that might be adapted to the Tercel 4wd. The benefits would be a heavier duty strut, higher rate springs, better damping, bigger and better brakes that do not need to be adapted. And this also brings up the possibility that someone makes an aftermarket performance strut assy for say the Corolla or FX16. I have trashed one than one front strut on our gravel roads, it aint pretty when they go, it does a lot of damage.

If I have some time when I get to Pull-a-part I might pull out a Corolla strut and have a look, I also have access to some '87 MR2 rear struts that I might pull and take a look at (should be lots of performance parts available for the MR2).

Has anyone here tried swapping out a Tercel strut with another model Toyota?

[ARCHINSTL]

There is (or more likely, WAS) some sort of HD strut, as I've seen mention of a part that uses the fourth hole in the body shell mount - although in my ignorance, that may have been for a heavier duty, 4-bolt, strut mount and not the actual strut...
No HD parts are mentioned in the FSM, although it does mention different bolt positioning for "w/o PS" and "w/PS and 4WD," all of which use the three-bolt mounts.
Tom M.

[takza]

It's possible that the 2WD strut with perch would just bolt into the 4WD...but the cartridge tube would have a smaller ID? Mine had the screw cap on it...cartridge came out...new ones were just too large an OD...RockAuto claimed they were correct.

My wagon is an '83...also possible the '83 springs are wound in a different way?

[SynthDesign]

In regard to the 2wd vs. 4wd front struts,
I think the mounting dimensions are about the same, but with the difference in diameters in cartridge and spring weights, may cause a problem, right. Isn't the 2wd wagon a few hundred pounds lighter( no rear drive mechanics.. ie. rear axle or driveshaft and short trans). The 2wd versions should be dampened softer( less compression dampening) and run a lighter weight spring to compensate for lack of weight.

I own an 83 T4WD as my main commuter vehicle. I replaced the original Toyota strut inserts when I got the vehicle. The are identical to my 85 and 86 strut assemblies except for a spring weight difference due to lack of AC equipment on my 83. I have since swapped to used kinda sagged, 85 w/ ac front springs to give a bit of ride height increase. 1/2 an inch compared to the sagged out stock non ac equipped 83 originals. The perches and springs are the same to my knowledge.

[Petros]

I was at the local Pull-a-part yesterday and decided to pull some struts and compare them. The pic below show an '84 Tercel4wd strut, next to a '91 Tercel strut, and a '91 Corolla DX strut. it looks like the T4wd strut is unique. They all have similar lower mounts, which should bolt up to the Tecel4wd hub mount, but both the length and diameter of the spring is different on the other struts.

The Corolla strut has a larger dia spring, but it appears to be the same overall length. The upper mount is different too, the Corolla uses three bolts in an even triangular pattern. Thought the upper mount might just swap out with the Tercel ones. If the larger diameter spring is not going to cause clearance issues it looks like it might adapt to the T4wd. The corolla is a heavier car so should have a stiffer spring and shock. All appear to have the same strut diameter, so I am going to double check what is in my Corolla All-trac since I remember it being larger. All also have the spring seats appear in similar location on the strut (the '91 Tercel is a little lower), but they are all slightly different shape. the '91 Tercel strut is shorter likely so they can lower the hood line on the newer Tercels.




The '84 Tercel4wd strut is on top, the '91 Tercel strut in the middle, and the '91 Corolla strut on the bottom. The T4wd and Corolla strut appear to have the same length and travel. The '91 Tercel strut would fit, but it would lower the car, it would also be a bit stiffer spring too.



This is the top mounts, The '84 T4wd is on the right, the center '91 Tercel, and the '91 Corolla on the left. The upper mount used four bolts on the '91 Tercel, which would likely fit the T4wd if you pop out the plastic plug in the 4th hole in the top of the strut tower. To use the Corolla mount you would either have to drill new holes in our strut tower, or see if you can swap out the T4wd top mount. Either way it appears the Corolla strut is a good candidate for an low cost upgraded strut for the Tercel4wd.

The Camry strut is similar but also much larger and heavier, not a good candidate for the Tercel4wd, but I will have a look at it next time I go. The spring gets stiffer of course if the wire size is larger, but it gets softer with more coils and larger diameter spring. So the '91 Tercel spring should be stiffer since the wire dia and coil dia. is the same as the T4wd, but with few coils. The Corolla spring uses heavier wire, and is larger dia, but also has few coils than the Tercel4wd, so it should be stiffer too.

[gearhead313]

I've been thinking about the interchange-ability as well on these front struts. Thats some good investigative work and the pics are much appreciated!! I think i might try this soon myself, but hopefully someone beats me to it so i dont have to figure out as much

[simon84]

The 2wd Tercel struts are 1" shorter than the 4wd tercel struts but will fit in there.
I found this out when replacing the strut cartridges and discovered that I had a 2wd strut on one side of the car. I had been wondering why the car seemed lower on one side.
It would be interesting to know what other struts will fit.
The best bet is probably just to put new springs in. Most report gaining lift when new ones are put in. I got about an inch out of the new springs and would recommend them.

[ARCHINSTL]

As an addendum to simon84's post...
"The following paste is from a post I made last November (2007) after installing the new Moog (I think)/AZ #212 springs:
One thing - with the new springs/struts, the car now sits approximately 1 1/2" higher at the front control arm measuring point; LOTS of space between the tire and fender lip. The FSM spec at the control arm bolt is 235mm, my old was about 200mm, and the new is about 238mm, or just above the OE . That is an approximate measurement, as it's on a gravel driveway. I think the headlights' aiming will be a lot better now!
The 13"s look kinda wimpy now.
Tom M.

[Petros]

I took some measurements and tried some fitting this weekend. The '91 Corolla DX strut is the same diameter as the '84 4wd and '91 Tercel strut at 1.75" OD. The Corolla strut has about the same amount of travel, but it is overall about an inch shorter and the spring seat is about an inch closer to the bottom of the strut than the T4wd. The bottom end of the assembly will bolt into the Tercel 4wd hub assembly. Since the spring is stiffer it is likely the Corolla strut might give similar or slightly taller ride height despite having an inch less height. If you swap out the Tercel 4wd top mount and install it on the Corolla strut you might be able to shim the strut down a bit to get the same overall length.

The '88-99 Corolla All-Trac strut is larger diameter as I suspected, at 2" (vs. the std Corolla's 1.75") and it had overall the same dimensions as the DX Corolla strut. So for a heavy duty installation, it appears swapping out a Corolla All-Trac strut might be the way to go. Heavy spring and bigger damper, same travel length, but with only about an inch less height. At Pull-A-part they only want about $15 each for the strut assembly, it might be worth an experiment to get them and swap them out of a T4wd. If I decide to try this I will photo document it and post it here, unless one of you beat me to it.

What I would like is taller and stiffer springs for the rear axle, any suggestions? Maybe I will take a look at the All-Track rear springs, the rear axle is similar (but heavier) to the T4wd.

[Jarf]

This probably isn't the answer you are looking for but they are still available from the dealer.

Pt# 48510-16690 This is the strut "assembly" complete with the lower perch.

CDN list $207.50ea. (as of 27Nov08) My dealer takes 10% off, so the pair was $373.50 + taxes.

They had to pull them out of California, so it took about a week to get up here.
On the upside, it is a total no-brainer, bolt it in and forget about it.
These were ordered for my 86 SR5 T4, if it makes any difference.

If you care, rears are: #48531-80204 $82.08 +tax for the pair.

Hope it helps.

[ARCHINSTL]

Jarf -
When you mention "rears," do you mean the springs? Or the 2wd strut assemblies?
This is from a post I made back in April 2008:
For those who are searching, the official Toy number for the OE rear springs for the 4WD is 48231-16190. This was supplied by my source at Butler Toy in Indy. The price was $41 each. Unfortunately, they were not available at any dealer in the USA or at the CA Mothership. The contact's info has been accurate, as he has found parts at other locations in the past for me.

This is what Butler Toy shows for #48531-80204:
4853180204 $34.07 $0.00 $25.55 - TOTAL FOR TWO $51 USD - app $65 CAD
Rear suspension - Rear suspension - Suspension components - Shock absorber
Shock absorber, all models - 4wd, corolla, tercel 1985 - 1986
Tom M.