Shock absorber alternatives for RAxx Celica

[thechuckster]

Buying stuff for older cars can suck - it's either taxed excessively or NLA'd from catalogue.

What i did recently (while waiting for the Buranda Jaycar to open) was go through a recent Monroe catalogue and look for other cars that had similar sized shocks (similar or slightly shorter body and extended lengths).

The end point of this being that you could go shopping for parts from a more common or newer vehicle yet use it in the celica as is, or know how much to cut down a tube. By requesting a common part, it's also more likely to be shelf item rather than something ordered in.

If you were after a different brand, you or the shop should be able to cross-match part number.

these are struts that have similar physical characteristics - it doesn't mean that the valving is going to suit your car.

fwiw: i'd be using aluminium or nylon as the spacer underneath a shock that's short for the strut body it's in.

Front
The RA40 strut was used as a reference, some basic details about it are:
part#: 25-3648+
strut type: T6 (which fits into the RAxx, XT130, etc strut tube, has a 44.5mm wide body and 22mm nut at the upper bearing)
length: 405, 405, 609
The length values in mm are: (body, compressed, extended)

Model (name), part #, body, compressed, extended
MX62 (Cressida), 25-0435+, 385, 405, 600
RT142 (Corona) 25-0170,398, 398, 603
MA61, MX73 (Supra, Cressida), 25-0941, 397, 408, 617
ZV21 (V6 Camry '87-'92), MG-234, 387, 414, 621 (rear struts)
?? (RAV4 '94-'00), 25-0531, 391, 402, 586
VB, VC, VH, VK, VL,VN, VP (Commodore '78-'93), 27-3632, 405, 405, 599 (std height)
VB, VC, VH, VK, VL,VN, VP (Commodore '78-'93), 27-5632, 405, 405, 599 (lowered)
VB, VC, VH, VK, VL,VN, VP (Commodore '78-'93), 26-3632, 405, 405, 599 (sensatrac)
JB, JD, JE (Camira '82-'88) 27-3655, 354, 354, 504* (sensatrac)
JB, JD, JE (Camira '82-'88) 25-3655, 354, 354, 504*

*=will need strut tube cut down!

Rear
The RA40 shock was used as a reference, some basic details about it are:
part#: 15-3138 (17-3138 for sensatrac)
shock type: top has a stud and bottom has a ferrule
length: 482, 297
The length values in mm are: (extended, compressed)

Model (name), part #, extended, compressed
RA60 (Celica), 15-3138, 482, 297
YR2x, CR21 (Tarago '82-90), 15-3034, 497, 397
YR2x, CR21 (Tarago '82-90), 17-3034, 497, 397 (sensatrac)
?? (various Holden '80-97), 15-3034, 497, 397
RN36, 46, 6x, 105, 106 (Hilux 2WD/4WD '79-97), 16-1702, 485, 295 (ferrule needs sleeve removed)
RN36, 46, 6x, 105, 106 (Hilux 2WD/4WD '79-97), 15-1702, 461, 279 (ferrule needs sleeve removed)
RT13x, XT130, RT142 non-IRS, ST141 (Corona 75-85), 17-3138, 482, 297


If you want to add some more part number or alternatives, post 'em below and i'll update this post.


edits: edit RAV4, added Camira, edit corona, edit hilux

[timbosaurus]

Jeez chuck, that commodore one looks pretty close up the front!

[MWP]

A shock fitting is only half of it... whats the point of using one if its dampening rates are all wrong?

[rolleraction]

I have used Holden Camira (those fwd ugly sedans) inserts in Corona struts. Admittidly it was a track only car - coilovers etc grafted into a corolla - but with stiff springs, my thinking was that the heavy fwd layout of the camira (& heavier inserst to manage all that) may be right for the stiffer & lowered suspension of my corolla. I bought Koni Yellows (adjustable) and they worked a treat! The commodora wagon shocks I used for the rear worked great too..... So +1 for chuck....

[thechuckster]

A shock fitting is only half of it... whats the point of using one if its dampening rates are all wrong?

that's the fun part - guessing which car might be remotely similar in terms of corner weights and vehicle dynamics.

[thechuckster]

rolleraction: what struts did you use? XT130 or other? and what model Corolla?

I will re-check the Camira insert sizes now as they are obviously close. ta!

[wilbo666]

Also I recall at least one thread on this on the previous forums! Might be worth a search,...

Commodore pre VR and RAV4 spring to mind for the front

Cheers
Wilbo

[rolleraction]

Chuck, it was a while ago, so from memory they were 130 struts. ( the common ones that are same in RA's and common toyota's of the 80's)

Car was 910Kg overall - corner weighted (cant recall each corner actual weights) but front to rear balance was 54% -v- 46%

I figured that as the camira was front end heavy (i.e. heaps on weight in front of front axle line) that they might be decent performance alternatives for a light car. From experience they worked very well...

edit: KE35 chuck

edit x 2 :

They were a direct bolt in btw. No mods reqd. I scanned the koni manual until I found the dimensions that would fit (as you have done) then short listed by (my reasons above) then short listed further on ones that were adjustable & went from there..

[Jusepi]

i just ordered 4 KYB Gr2's for a RA40 from "Advanced Auto Parts" in Boone North Carolina (where I am atm).

The title for the car was a little different "1981 Toyota celica GT 2.4 litre Carb" . I'm guessing that the American version just had a bigger engine and chassis wise it's the same.

Anyways, front shocks are $51.85 and rears $24.94!!! how much are these items is Aus......anyone know?
Also getting a few other bits and pieces.

[Julz01]

bumping up an old thread, but would the ra40 strut be the same as ra60's , need to find some cheapish shocks and specific ra60 ones are a rip off for what they are.

[thechuckster]

fwiw: monroe list the same front insert for RA 28,40,60,65 & SA63 - you could use a slightly shorter insert
fbut you might need suitable spacers underneath the strut insert.