AWD Struts vs. FWD Struts and springs

[ThaGremlin]

hey i was wondering . . .if the suspension for the AWD and FWD are the same. . becuase im planning on buying TEIN SS dampers. . but they only make them for the AWD and i just need to know it they would work the same and fit just fine. .. i just need all the info i can get.. . oh and also . . would 2g FWD suspensiion work for a 1g FWD . . . .thanks

 

[Daedalus]

I was planning the same thing. No one on here seemed to be able to tell me either way. I would suggest calling a DSM shop like mach v and asking them. I got to lazy and preoccupied with a dead motor to call.

 

[RamenPride]

AWD and FWD suspensions are the same up front, both 1G and 2G

rear suspension is different for both generations. I've heard 2G's can use the same shocks/springs because the setup is very similar. However, the rear suspension on 1G's is different between the two (AWD have independent rear suspension, while FWD does not), so FWD and AWD components are not interchangeable.

 

[eclipsalon]

yes this thread is super old, but i have a similar question. Is there a "spring rate" (dont know what else to call it) difference on 2g struts between the FW and AW? im only asking because the AWD tokico struts are on back order... should i just get FWD?

 

[kchaazz]

The rates of the springs are likely to be a little different- this can easily be confirmed by calling the manufacturer. Also, the struts themselves are probably valved differently, though it may be more difficult to come by this info. My advice is to wait and get the correct parts.

 

[eclipsalon]

i think you ment value. if you did there the same $88/rear. but i guess i can try contacting them.

 

[KBasham03]

i think you ment value. if you did there the same $88/rear. but i guess i can try contacting them.

No he meant valving. As in the guts of the strut.

 

[turboglenn]

The length of the AWD struts are longer (i read this somewhere and confirmaed it when i put the GSX struts on my car during my AWD swap)

the car sits up like a monster truck now , i forget where i read they're longer but it was in an AWD conversion thread, i didn't honestly measure mine, but from the front ride height you can tell something is crazy with it cause the first thing people asj when they come over is "is the engine out of it, looks like the front is way up in the air?"

 

[97gst_spyder]

Don't get the fwd for the awd. The rear awd struts are 1in longer than the fwd. The rear would probably sag.

I bought the awd tokico advanced setup for my spyder. The front sits fine, the rear is raised up about an inch. So I took them out and measured them against the fwd set my buddy had. The springs and struts were different.

 

[eclipsalon]

Thanks guys this is exactly what I wanted to know! Very helpful. Ill probably end up getting the FWD just ### there shorter. I have gst factory struts know just because I wanted to be stock height but ima done being 4x4. I had the car slammed awhile back on some no brand sleeve overs but almost flipped over doing a u-turn one time. I thought just being lower would mean better "cornering". Man was I wrong.

 

[Chiefsublime]

If I'm not mistaken it's the rears that are 1g/2g cross compatible not the fronts. The fronts on the 1g gave a slot with 2 bolts where the steering knuckle fits and is bolted onto. Where the 2g struts have a round post at the bottom that fits into a two prong fork that bolts to the ¿upper control arm/ball joint in the front? I haven't had a 2g for a while so correct me if I'm being, but that's how I remember it.