hi ive been offered a really clean early mk3 shell which has the 2 bolt style strut tops, is it possible to weld in a later strut top panel to use the later suspension set up, or does it mean changing the complete inner wing? cheers

 

You could swap the strut tops over, but it's a hell of a lot of work, considering 2 bolt tops are rarer and you could buy new shocks for less than it would cost to get the welding done and paint etc.

 

I know what your saying but I've got the suspension set up just how I want it. The car needs painting and a few odd repairs so the welding is not an issue, I know I could fit the complete inner wing but I'm wondering if just the strut top panel is interchangeable with early/late inner wings,

 

It's just the strut tops themselves with are different, as I had later spec single bolt stocks and just swapped the top parts to 2 bolt. All you would need to do is cut the old out and weld the new in making sure you measure it and get the levels right.

 

Nice one mate cheers, just what I wanted to hear!!!

 

you aint ringing a s1 are ya?? lol!

 

The later suspension setup fits without doing anything other than changing the top mounts.

So whats the reason for needing to change the strut tops.

 

Just what I was thinking!

 

Fair enough I wasn't sure if they were interchangeable, I just wondered why ford changed them after a few years production and stuck with the revised style with the mk4 too. Was there an issue with the early setup?

 

Get G to text me tomorrow, I should be able to get you a pair of early top mounts cheapy cheap through work

 

The early top mount setup is better.

Ford changed them due to the less bush required. Less bolts and washers required. Less time for fitting etc etc etc.. Just to save money really as they did with everything mk4.

 

I have a mint early type mk3 shell with 2 strut bolts, I want to convert it to the newer single bolt type I have all the bits for a s1 rs but the shell is rotten Inc inner bay and strut tops. Can it be converted by changing inner wing and strut too also does anybody know where I can get the bits pref new thanks also I know it won't b an rs but I want it to be as close as possible