Sapphire/3DR Suspension
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From: Torbaydos
Sapphire/3DR Suspension
Well after going through 15 pages in here and 30 in Sierra/Cosworth I still cant find an answer.Will 3dr suspension fit a 2wd sapp ? I know 4x4 struts are fatter and there is different spring ratings but my question is would there be any issues with 3dr struts/shocks/springs ?? I have been looking for about 3hrs.You know how it is,you start looking for one thing and start reading nearly everything else and no I cant use the search thing properly.I did try, please help I am so tired 
Most of it yes. Hubs = good swap. struts, yes. TCAs yes, ARB = different and may need different mounts. Springs yes.
Charlie
Charlie
Last edited by Char1ie; Feb 12, 2009 at 03:38 PM.
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3 door suspension WILL fit a sapph, but you will also have to use 3 door tca's, if using 3 door hubs, all fit straight on.
3 door hub has a LOT less castor than sapphy, can give better grip, but much more twitchy to drive, I prefer the 3 door hubs on mine, there were other changes also to hubs, but castor is the main one.
The main problem area is the REAR arb, but to be honest the arb on a 3 door is crap, so converting to sapphy type would be a lot better anyway.
As you say front legs thicker on 4wd, the eye of the bottom of the rear shocks is also longer by about 1/2" on 4wd, but can easy cut 1/4" off each side as I done this in the past.
Springs are a totally different rate between the 3 door, 2wd sapph and 4wd sapph.
tabetha
3 door hub has a LOT less castor than sapphy, can give better grip, but much more twitchy to drive, I prefer the 3 door hubs on mine, there were other changes also to hubs, but castor is the main one.
The main problem area is the REAR arb, but to be honest the arb on a 3 door is crap, so converting to sapphy type would be a lot better anyway.
As you say front legs thicker on 4wd, the eye of the bottom of the rear shocks is also longer by about 1/2" on 4wd, but can easy cut 1/4" off each side as I done this in the past.
Springs are a totally different rate between the 3 door, 2wd sapph and 4wd sapph.
tabetha
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Can a rear ARB on a 3door be swapped for a Saph ARB rightaway or are there any mobs involved. I remember putting a RST ARB on my 3i was a plain fit.
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If putting a sapph bar on a 3 door, then you will not have the location pegs in the right place on the amrs as sapphy type mount on inner side of arm and 3 door on outer side, massive difference in bar length.
So either fit sapphy arms or weld on a location point for the arb drop link.
Then you would need to weld a bracket to attach the main arb mounts to on the chassis type but that runs across the car, just above and rearward of the diff, very worthwhile mod though.
I had cossie 3 door arb on my xr4i and there was so much movement from the rear it was unreal.
tabetha
So either fit sapphy arms or weld on a location point for the arb drop link.
Then you would need to weld a bracket to attach the main arb mounts to on the chassis type but that runs across the car, just above and rearward of the diff, very worthwhile mod though.
I had cossie 3 door arb on my xr4i and there was so much movement from the rear it was unreal.
tabetha
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