Shocks n springs cheapo

[4eye]

Hi guys...i am in need of shocks all round as they are slightly tired to say the least but have to keep 2 things in mind...the first is cost...it needs to be cheap and the second is that i want to do away with my lift shackles and fit lift springs(extra leaf)but this maybe at a later date unless i can also do this on the cheap! So really i'm askin advice on what are my options and round about prices. All input very much welcomed...many thanx!

[carnut]

bedford racal rear springs, with slightly longer shackles, or banana shackles. good set of standard front springs with add a leaf. astra estate shocks. all cheap as chips, but remember,
dont expect them to be anywere near as good as the real thing!!.
andy

[ScottieJ]

question is how much are you looking to spend?

that will help find the ideal set up for you within your budget? for instance if you have £300ish you could probably get some lift springs, astra shocks & extended brakelines.

[4eye]

Thanks andy...does it matter what year with the astra shocks? Anything is better than what i have at the moment(which isn't a lot)...the drivers side is 3" lower than the other not very good to drive...especially when goin round left hand bends!!
Not much cash at all scottie...it looks like i'll have to keep the shackles on as cash has gone elsewhere

as it stands...i have to put up with the shackles for a while longer .Would it be ok to fit the astra shocks all round still?

[ScottieJ]

for the front you need shocks off a 1990 astra i think the unipart no. Is GSA20180 they are usually about £13 each and unless you make an adapter bar you will need series3 landy shocks for the rear.
I could prob knock you up an adapter bar so you can run astra shocks on the rear as well if you want though, just waiting for a part to fix my mig!

Scott

[ScottieJ]

for springs you could go rears up front, but split the old front pack and use the top leaf on the rear pack of springs so that they remain the correct length, then go rascal springs on the rear as said above.

[4eye]

Cheers scottie...just checked on ebay and a pair of landy shocks are at a good price! I have some front springs in a mates garage so that will have to do for now! Really wanted to cut the sill's and fit my slider's and my cab cage then give her a paint but my mate was a bit of a lett down and now cant see me bein able to do it this year

[4eye]

Thanx guys, scottie i checked on the landy shocks and i will get them....just so its clear...i have a 410Q santana(88)...will the shocks defo fit(astra front....landy rear)?

[dan_2k_uk]

yes that setup will work.

Im also aware of people using transit shocks on the rear

just to have my say . Depending on how much youre spending on shocks it really might be worth getting some proper shocks because if your using something from another car new or used you will have to replace them alot sooner than something made for the job. I have procomp es3000's and think they are great and u get a lifetime guarantee.

[ScottieJ]

yeah the astra shocks will fit the front, all of the sj series use the same shocks. All you will need to do is remove the bottom bush from the shock as it is too small for a zuke. I drilled out the rubber around the bush then you can lever the bush out with a long screwdriver, you need to do quite alot of 3/4mm holes and it takes a little while but its not too bad. then i just filed down the small lip that is left and use the bushes from the sj shocks instead i've head of people burning out the bush but i personally wouldn't do that. Oh for your refernce they are 23.5" open and 14" closed measured from the centre of the bottom bush to the upper edge of the bottom half of the top bush