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Strut Inserts (shock absorbers) for the front suspension: Datsun 1200 (B110) uses 45 mm diameter strut tubes. Most other Datsuns, including USA B210, use a larger 2.0 inch (50.8 mm) size. This article will help you choose parts for rebuild or replacement.
Contents |
Overview
The 1200 front shock absorbers can be rebuilt. Or you can fit strut insert cartridges, such as NOS KYB gas-a-just or the commonly available VW inserts.
Shock Absorber Cartridges for Datsun 1200 struts
45 mm strut tubes are used by: * B110 Datsun 1200 sedan/coupe/van * B120 Datsun 1200 pickup * 120Y (A12-powered B210) * B310 (A12-powered only)
Direct Interchange
Datsun 1200s did not come with strut insert cartridges, instead the struts contained had rebuildable shock absorbers (wet shocks). Later, Nissan offered strut inserts specifically for the 1200, which are still available in USA as of May 2008.
Using a factory-quality Strut rebuild kit (rather than removing the factory strut parts and replacing with a new strut 'cartridge' insert) is the way to retain a smooth front-end ride. However, these kits are no longer manufactured. Using the genuined Nissan cartridge (same as early A12-powered B210s) is just as good.
Inserts
Insert Cartridge Shock * 56105-H5025 CARTRIDGE-ABSORBER,SHOCK, FRONT * superceded 56105-H5025, 56105-H1025 * about $50 each from Nissan * buy from Bprojects
Original Parts
Wet Shocks. You can add new oil and new strut glands, such as a NOS Koni rebuild kit.
The original struts had built-in shock absorbers:
* 56110-H1025 KIT-ABSORBER SHOCK FRONT (ATSUGI) * 56110-H1026 KIT-ABSORBER SHOCK FRONT (TOKICO)
These kits included: * 54308-H1025 KIT-PACKING GLAND(ATUGI) * 54308-H1026 KIT-PACKING GLAND(TOKICO) * 54313-22127 OIL-SUSPENSION STRUT (ATSUGI 360C * 54313-22128 OIL-SUSPENSION STRUT (ATSUGI 1000 * 54313-28525 OIL-SUSPENSION STRUT (TOKICO 360C * 54313-22129 OIL-SUSPENSION STRUT (ATSUGI 360C
54308-H1025
45mm OD Strut Inserts
As of 2105, 1200 inserts are readily available in Australia via Monroe.
Boge insert cartridges
Stock Specs
See the genuine Nissan part numbers listed above.
418 body length / 631 Extended / 462 Collapsed * Stroke: 169mm (6.7 in) * Diameter: 40.9 mm at top * Style: T2 (non-tapering body, 38.1 mm or so width)
Less than 42.30 mm (which is too big to fit into the 45 mm strut tube)
Monroe
Monroe 25-3418 Gas shock inserts
* 1970-1973 B110
* 1974-1979 120Y
* 1971-1984 B120 ute
* Type T1
* Body length: 418 mm
* Length Extended: 612 mm
* Length Compressed:418 mm
* Rod nut 110-039-052
* Locking Ring 137-A61-017
* Centering Cap 117-071-002
Tokico
* TOKICO S1041 (oil), Z1041 (gas)
Tokico inserts
Kayaba
- KYB (Kayaba) 662002/KC1001 (oil)
- KYB 362001 (gas)
- Replaces B110, B120 Jan 1970-May 1973
- Nissan: 54302-H1025,54302-H1026,54302-H1050,54302-H1055,54302-H1125,54302-H1126,54303-H1055,54303-H1125
- Replaces B210 with A12 Mar 1973-Oct 1977
- Nissan: 54302-H5025,54302-H5050,54302-H5126,54303-H5125,54303-H5150,56105-H5025,56105-H5027,56105-H1026
- Replaces VB310 with A12 12" wheel models
- 54302-H8500,54302-H8525,54302-H8526,54302-H8527
- Replaces B110, B120 Jan 1970-May 1973
KYB Gas-filled
KYB Rally
KONI
Koni 86-1714 (previously 82N-1714, S1003) * replaces 56110-H1026 99996-1714N 1200/FRONT KONI SHOCK ABSORBER * From the 1984 Nissan Competition Catalog
Koni for Datsun 1200
45mm Alternatives
These will require some modifications to use, including spacers in the bottom of the strut tube.
Discussion: strut inserts
Insert Type (T1, T2 and T3 will fit Datsun 1200)
Mazda
Very close to the 1200 units. The strut rod nut appears to be a different size.
Fit 7mm spacer in bottom of strut tube.
1980-1982 Mazda 626 RWD Monroe 25-3417 * Type T1 (same as 1200) * Body Length: 411 mm (7 mm shorter) * Compressed Length:411 mm * Extended Length: 637 mm * Rod nut 110-039-054 * Locking Ring 137-A61-017 (same as 1200)
Lowering
For 1200s lowered more than 2 inches, shortened strut tubes along with shorter inserts are needed. See Lowering Inserts.
Nissan Pulsar
1981 Pulsar inserts are the same external size as Datsun 1200 but shorter by 82 mm (3-1/4 in) so if you are after lowering with out banging on the spring mounts this is a easy way to go only 10mm (3/8) shorter in the stroke.
See main article: Lowering Inserts
1981 Pulsar vs stock 1200
VW Golf/Rabbit
1974-1984 VW Golf, 1980-1984 VW Jetta
- About 4" shorter than stock, so use a spacer in the stock strut tube.
- Koni and Tokico adjustables for the same VW are too big in diameter.
416 body length/ 599 Extended/ 431 Collapsed 1200 (B110), 120y (B210) Gabriel - G44217 (diameter unknown) Vera - 62-01015 (diameter unknown)
KONI Sport 8641-1048, 42.30 mm dia. (too big to fit inside 45 mm strut)
VW Golf (Rabbit) mark I (1974-1983) inserts will fit into the 1200's strut tube - depending on the brand. The Golf insert is nearly 4" shorter, so either a spacer is used to take up the slop, or the tube itself will need to be shortened accordingly. It uses a larger diameter strut rod, so the cap nut that holds the insert in needs to be drilled out. The strut bearing also needs to be drilled out. A VW rod nut (which contains the seal) can be ground smaller diameter and JB-welded to the bottom of a stock 1200 rod nut which has been drilled out.
- Get Bilstein (1.507 in) or KYB brand at about 1.5 inch outside diameter. Tokico and KONI are too big around to fit 45mm strut housings.
- Golf Mk I insert is nearly 4 inches shorter than stock and will need a simple spacer made to make up the difference in length in the bottom of the tube.
- Strut piston diameter is much much larger than B110, so drill out the strut-nut and the strut top hole.
discussion: VW Rabbit inserts
318 body length / 511 Extended / 352 Collapsed 324 / 511 / 359 * Stroke: 158mm (6.25 in) * Bilstein part number W0133-1604944
Jetta inserts -- information on inserts and adapting inserts for VW Jetta so that they fit a 1200.
KYB 361005 Excel-G strut cartridges for a VW Jetta 1979-1984 * diameter 38.30 mm (will fit inside 45 mm tube) * Compressed Length (in) 13.82 (351 mm) * Extended Length (in) 19.84 * Stroke (in) 12.36 * Upper Mount 14x1.50
- In Australia the part number for kyb shown above wont work at part store computers. This is the correct part number in australia.
Part number: 363001 is for australia specs are exactly same as 361005.
Four different Rabbit Bilsteins available:
* OE style "Touring F4PNE3033BE / 171412031J USA Made With Internal Threads * stiff "Sport" F4P300032M0 / 171412031J USA Made With Internal Threads * softer "heavy duty" * race: 270/100 for rebound/compression
Bilstein Race & Rallye (gas) * Strut Part Number V36-0059 (but just buy the inserts) * 270/100 damping * Fits: * 1974-1984 Golf/Rabbit * 1977-1981 Volkswagen Scirocco I 4 cyl 8v * 1980-1984 Volkswagen Jetta I 4 cyl 8v * 1982-1988 Volkswagen Scirocco II 1.8L 8v * 1986-1988 Volkswagen Scirocco II 1.8L 16v
Bilstein F4-P30-0137-H2 (F4P300137H2) * 34-001370 new part number * B6 (HD) * 318 mm body length * 30mm monotube strut insert (38.5 mm outside diameter) * extra-large diameter piston (includes new lock rings)
Bilstein for VW Golf - the shaft rod is monstrous, so strut nut & strut bearing need to be drilled out to suit
Bilstein dimensions
Bilstein dust seal (aluminum) welded to stock nut
Monroe Sensa-Trac (gas) 72878 / P832 * Models w/ Internal Threads on Original Strut Housing (U. S. A.) * Diameter: 1.5" * Stroke: 152mm (6.000 in) * Ext len: 511mm (20.125 in) * Comp len: 359mm (14.125 in) * Body len: 324mm (12.750 in)
Monroe Sensa-Trac (gas) 72826 / 17090011 * Models w/ External Threads on Original Strut Housing (German) * Diameter: 1.5" * Stroke: 6.250" * Ext len: 20.125" * Comp len: 13.875" * Body len: 12.500" * Piston diameter: 0.75"
Monroe Reflex
Toyota TRD
Get them from TRD
Yotato Starlet 1978-1984 (RWD)
Toyota MR2 MK1 1985-1986 Rear Insert, 65 mm shorter than (120y) B210, KONI 8641 1072sport
Toyota TRD 48511-AE941 477 mm extended 342 mm compressed Stroke: 135 mm [compared to 169 mm stock Datsun 1200] damping: 2313/1098N
Toyota Corolla
1979-1986 Toyota Corolla Sedan/Coupe E70/E71 1981-1985 Corolla Wagon/Van E70/E71 Monroe 25-3434 * Type T1 (same as 1200) * Body Length: 388 mm (30 mm shorter) * Compressed Length:390 mm * Extended Length: 603 mm * Rod nut 110-039-058 * Locking Ring 137-A61-017 (same as 1200)
2" Strut Inserts
See main article: 2-inch Strut Inserts
Measurements
Strut Housing * Outside Diameter: 45mm (1.77 in) * Inside Diameter: about 38mm (~1.5 inch)
Nissan 56105-H5025 for Datsun B110 * Body length: 418mm (16-3/8 inch). The seal protrudes 1/8 past this. * diameter: main housing - 37.6mm (1.48 in) * diameter: upper collar at top of housing - 40.9mm (1.61 in) * shaft dia. 17.8mm (1.7 in) * thread height - 24mm * thread diameter - M10 (10mm hole, 11 mm threads) * Overall collapsed - 462mm (18-3/16 in.) * Overall extended - 631mm (24-13/16 in.) * Stroke: 169mm (6.7 in)
Specifications
Original B110 Strut valving Damping Force @ 0.3m/sec:
- Expansion kg(lb): 48 (106)
- Compression kg(lb): 22 (48.5)
Stroke
- B310 strut valve: 164 mm (6.46 in)
- B310 cartridge: 161.5
- B310 cartridge: 160.5 A12A Canada (12" wheels)
Damping rates are same for B310 valve or insert, but stroke differs slightly.
Damping Force
| model | B110 1970-1973 disc | B210 1974-1977 A13/A14 | B210 1978 A14 | B310 1979 | B310 80-82 | B310 12" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| expansion: kg | 48 | 32-48 | 28-42 | 30-40 | 28-42 | 38-58 |
| compression: kg | 22 | 20-30 | 16-24 | 17-23 | 16-24 | 15.5-24.5 |