How to make coil over struts, affordably

Want to know how to make your struts into coil overs? This video shows how we remove the perch completely to allow for much more adjustment out of a set of coil over sleeves.
This is the method we have been using for years on our stock cars to make off the shelf struts into adjustable coil overs for next to nothing.
DISCLAIMER: Struts are under high pressure internally, this is done AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

[@michaelbugalon1705]

This is the most comprehensive yet easy to understand video I've come across for a coilovers conversion/modification. Great content!

[@eduardodaquiljr9637]

I used to use grinding disc,but flap wheel does it better as shown in your video,Thank you for such amazing way to cut certain part.

[@MrXerxes415]

Instant subscribe excellent quality clarity value found nowhere else on KZbin. I ran 1800.00 Bilstein PSS9’s. (You know when I had money.) With Your instruction I could grab worn out shocks rebuild them and coil over it from a junkyard.

[@jonathanwiggill8242]

Thank you for the explanation and your advice. Appreciated.

[@kevsortega1087]

Thanks for the explanation! Good video congrats from Mexico !

[@rossconverse7038]

Excellent video, very easy to understand, thanks! Looking forward to the video about spring rates. Subscribed. Ross

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

Thank you for the kind words!! I am planning to film that video and upload it soon!!

[@MyTimeToFly]

You could have told me about these a couple of years ago Todd! Really great stuff!

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

You couldn’t run them most of the time LOL

[@jenelynbanjao1930]

Salute you sir very informative and helpful tips

[@someguyinplace]

Very cool strategy here. I debating doing this and utilizing stock struts, or tig welding coilovers from scratch. I'm happy I know I have this option now at least.

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

Glad to help!

[@erice5429]

Thank you... Great video..

[@stormer1092]

You sir earned a sub.

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

Sincerely Thank you! It truly means a lot to me!

[@knightoftherevolution1386]

thanks. This video its very helpful , i'll save alot of mony 💸 with your idea

[@Milky-ch5xl]

Intelligent,madness 🔥🔥🔥🤙

[@m.aquino8181]

This is a great video and very informative. I know shock stroke/length, adjustable sleeve length and spring length play a factor, but After cutting off the factory spring perch what is the best best way to determine where you weld the new perch location?

[@charlespetersonii6989]

Awesome info! Any recommendations for a good cage in my neon? Located in central MI

[@GearQuest]

Do you use o-rings or silicone to keep the threaded sleeve in place? I'm in the middle of doing the same conversion on my 87' Toyota Mr2. Great Channel btw!

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

To be honest, gravity lol. Being just a racecar it doesn't see weather so there isn't any need to seal them from junk getting in. And the pressure of the sleeve on the bottom keeps it in place if there is spring tension while adjusting. Thank you for the kind words!! I checked out a few of your videos as well, great job yourself!!

[@kareemlionlondon]

Hey was up. I have a Mitsubishi lancer ck2, I wanna do this on my car. Can you help me with what to buy.

[@dreilly396]

My subaru struts are 2-1/8" diameter. Is there any wiggle room on the ID of the sleeve? What is the ID?

[@Maxdamilli0n]

Thanks for posting, explains a lot! I've been trying to build some coilovers for a car that they aren't available for. Where are you finding such cheap deals on parts? New race springs seems to be minimum $50/ea, and those sleeves are $50 per corner. Still affordable, but that's $400 total. I was just wondering if I'm searching the wrong keywords. I don't mind buying used parts either.

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

Max, I'm so sorry it took long to reply I somehow missed your comment!! The best deals I have found are at swap meets or racing for sale groups on Facebook! Circle track swap meets or groups are honestly your best bet as they are where the majority of these parts are used and "tossed". Years ago I bought 3 milk crates full of sleeves for $60, there was almost 40 complete ones in it with a ton of extra parts! I also buy springs the same way. I honestly have never paid over $10 for a spring. I get them all used the same way. I hope this helps!!

[@Maxdamilli0n]

@@FrontWheelDiscussion yep that's helpful. Unfortunately, circle track isn't very popular in my area. Kinda doubt I'll find any local deals like that. But it's okay, paying full price from a circle track website is still much cheaper than coilovers!

[@Maxdamilli0n]

@Front Wheel Discussion Following up on this. Considering buying the 64145's that you show in the video, but I'm curious. How do you know that the upper spring perch will fit the strut's piston? I don't see the size listed anywhere... are they all pretty much the same? FYI I kept an eye out and found some coilover springs from a 240sx BC coilover, they're metric sizes but basically translate to a 2.5" x 8" race spring... $20! Thanks for the help again!

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

@@Maxdamilli0n I know that that kit fits a 2in outer diameter strut/shock. My Neon has a 2in OD as well. So they fit lol Not all brands do though. The trick is to measure the OD of yours and cross reference it with the brands the sleeves say they fit. A QA1 50 series shock has a 2in OD, so any sleeve that says it fits that will fit over a 2in shock. So I just have to look for sleeves that fit those! MOST of them are 2in, but not all are. I'm so glad you were able to get a good deal on springs!! Always glad to help! Thanks for being a viewer!

[@Maxdamilli0n]

@@FrontWheelDiscussion no prob, thanks for the input. I'm going to order up a sleeve that I think will work from a company with a return policy and test fit. Been asking companies if they can tell me the id of the upper strut perch but they don't know... Better just try it. Glad you made a video on how to diy coilovers though, much appreciated!

[@rocketcharger17]

Want to install Amazons on rear of my Elantra Wagon for stability issues Trying to figure out to get the stem shock with clevis mount to sit up high I want the least movement possible Any ideas or comments welcome Blessings to all

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

Shane, I would love to help, but I'm not exactly sure what you mean by Amazons? Could you elaborate a little more?

[@LuksJoel]

Awesome, it helps me alot! Can I weld the sleeve in the bottom and the top without risk?

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

You don't want to weld onto the strut body. The pressurized strut will blow out the sides and it can be extremely catastrophic!

[@LuksJoel]

@@FrontWheelDiscussion ohh thanks for the tip, super dangerous, thnks bro

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

No problem! Always happy to help!

[@caddyguy5369]

I suspect this is what I'm going to have to do to get coilovers on my 2000 Bonneville SSEi.

[@dalefernandez129]

Great video, does the outer pipe/shell of the shock need to be cut down at all to stop the shock bottoming out? Or does the sleeve distance solve that problem ?

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

The idea is to use the springs and bump stops to limit travel. This isn't really a way to get the car any lower then you can normally go due to shock travel. In the world of Front Wheel Drive stock car racing this allows us to run much more available spring rates and to adjust each corner to get the weights where we would like. Most rules don't allow threaded body struts so this is the best compromise!

[@chorus9999]

Ok that makes sense, so maybe this wouldn’t be advisable as a project to just lower ride height around 2 2 1/2 inches ? I was wondering if I could rely on the bump stops and springs to limit the shock travel

[@chorus9999]

With Oem shocks ?

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

You could use this method to lower the car 2-3in. If you installed bumpstops it would limit the travel for sure, you would just have to find the right height to get what you wanted. This method would not allow you any extra travel distance. If the car would drop say 6in and bottom out, it will still do that with these coilovers. It would allow you to lower the car, just not any more then the struts allow now.

[@jimmarco9356]

What are the sleeves called ?

[@NickyTBeats]

Looking to do coil overs on jeep patriot, please help!

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

I'm sorry Nicky, I have zero experience trying to put coilovers on a Patriot! Im not sure how much help I can be!

[@derekr3895]

How do you convert rear shocks?

[@sleeks9939]

The same way as the front

[@charliesmith7942]

Went to a honda and this got way easier lol

[@eduardodaquiljr9637]

Where the sleeve sit?

[@FrontWheelDiscussion]

The sleeve sits on the mount at the bottom for the strut.

[@noeaguinaga4018]

Don't touch the weld.... touch the weld.... make my mind up will ya

[@TheSingularNextuz]

And now, bag it 😁