Good cheap set up!

[Timmyd865]

So guys, my strut boots are torn.. so i talked my parents into buying me a WHOLE new set of struts!!! YAY But.... I hafta pay whatever is over OEM, and the closest thing to OEM was like 86 bux on napaonline. So, With spending the LEAST amount possible. What would be a good set up to go w/? I'd like to try and spend less then 200 of MY OWN money, so add up like 86 x 4 plus 200 and that's bout how much i can probably spend. What are my best options? In all honesty, I'm too lazy to try and find good combos, and I gave up on the search for these details. So, yeah. I would like to install these my self, so the sumwhat easier the set up the better. Just to let you know what my mechanic skills are I HAVE replaced a wheelbearing. FRICKEN IMPOSSIBLE!! Took close to 20 hours. But I can and will do it. So if you think i'm up to anything.. let me know if you would guess i could do this all my self or not? OH, and w/that price, i might consider springs too. Cuase keeping stock springs would be kidna dumb! Well thanx a ton guys! Any online shops w/prices, hook me up w/links too! tahnx!

[zytariuk]

So you got ~$550.00usd to play with correct? Here are some good combos within you're price range...<p>- ZX2 Struts /w Stock Springs<p>- ZX2 Struts /w Suspension Techniques lowering springs or H&R lowering springs or EIBACH lowering Springs. The suspension techniques would probably be you're best bet. <p>The ZX2 Struts are around $175.00usd and the suspension techniques are something like $190.00usd. Keep in mind though...you will have to get 4 new strut covers (~$40.00usd), 2 Front Upper Strut Bearings (~$50.00usd), and 4 camber bolts (~$70.00usd) if you were to go with the ZX2 Struts.<p>Personally, I have the ZX2 strut package paired with Suspension Technqiues lowering springs. (Stuts/Boot Covers/Camber Bolts/bearings/lowering springs/shipping) cost me just over $680.00usd. However, i got ripped off on my lowering springs and paid about $80.00usd more than i should have .<p>[ March 30, 2003: Message edited by: zytariuk ]</p>

[Timmyd865]

Wow, thanx a bunch. That's kinda what I've been thinking. But where is everyone finding the zx2 struts for 180? I see that everywhere on the board, but I've never seen a page to have em at all! Ebay's got NOTHING! So I do need quite a few other things then as well. Also, if I have stock springs.. will it drop at all? And is that good for it? Should I really get new springs while I'm at it? And what are the tokico's like? Would they be good for autocrossing? I plan to start that up pretty heavily this summer. Thanx <p>[ March 30, 2003: Message edited by: Timmyd865 ]</p>

[millionflame]

Search for something like fordoemparts.com in this forum and you will find your answer.<p>~A

[zytariuk]

oemfordparts.com sells the ZX2 Struts for $160.00usd at http://www.oemfordparts.com/PartDetail.asp?S=1&PartID=340. You're local ford dealership will sell them for $185.00usd and charge you another $15.00usd or so to have them shipped to their store.<p>Here is what you will *need* to purchase along with the ZX2 Struts.
(4) Dust Boots/Shields (This protects you're struts from external elements)
(2) ZX2 Front Upper Strut Bearings
(4) Camber Bolts (This adjusts you're camber so that you're tires wear evenly)<p>Things you really should know...
- The struts also do not NOT come with new top shaft nuts. I reused the old ones, but it's probably a good idea to replace them.<p>- The ZX2 strut shafts are 22mm in diameter, as the stock shafts are 20mm, the ZX2 shaft will not fit inside the collar without enlarging the hole. This is possible with a steady hand and a Dremel.<p>- The ZX2 sruts are 1/2" smaller than the stock OEM mx-3 struts. However, look on it on the bright side; it gives you an extra .5" drop!<p>- Get a 4 wheel alignment done after installation (Very Important, if you don't want to buy new tires every 6 months).<p>[ March 30, 2003: Message edited by: zytariuk ]</p>

[Trevor]

Does anyone know Prices for the 4 camber bolts and the aproximate cost of Upper pearch Mounts from the wreckers?
Thanx

[Trevor]

Does anyone know Prices for the 4 camber bolts and the aproximate cost of Upper pearch Mounts from the wreckers? in CND $???
Thanx

[Timmyd865]

SO.. the STOCK zx2 struts are an improvment in performance?!?!! That seams wierd. I wouldn't like saying, Yeah i just threw on sum ford struts.. I'd rather say, "I got sum tokico's on" or sumthing. Where do you find those for cheap online? thanx guys!

[ryanlindenberg]

the struts on the ZX2 might be tokicos actually. the ones on the escort GTs were i believe.

[millionflame]

The ZX2 struts people are using are in fact Tokicos.<p>~A

[Timmyd865]

But are they the STOCK zx2 struts? Thanx!

[ProtegeSTS]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Timmyd865:
But are they the STOCK zx2 struts? Thanx!<hr></blockquote><p>For the S/R model, which was basically a factory tuned hotrod ZX2.

[zytariuk]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Eggo:
Does anyone know Prices for the 4 camber bolts and the aproximate cost of Upper pearch Mounts from the wreckers? in CND $???
Thanx<hr></blockquote><p>I got my camber bolts at Canadian Tire and i paid C$128.00 (tax included) for all four.<p>I got my two upper pearch mounts from the wreckers for C$50.00 (tax included).

[Trevor]

Thanx man now one last question do I get ZX2 camber bolts or mx-3 camber bolts?

[zytariuk]

MX-3 camber bolts<p>[ March 31, 2003: Message edited by: zytariuk ]</p>