2-inch Strut Inserts

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HB210 and most Datsuns other than B110 use a 2.0 inch (50.8 mm) strut size. This article will help you choose parts for rebuild or replacement. For 1200 struts, see 45 mm Strut Inserts.

2" OD Strut Inserts

Most Datsun struts use 2 inch (50.8mm) diameter strut tubes. The insert itself will usually be 1-5/8 inch (41.3mm) diameter and thus too big for 45 mm struts, although some are 1.5" (38mm) and so will also fit in 45 mm Struts.

HB210

A14-powered B210 uses 2" struts.

Nissan
* 56105-N8425 B210
  * superceded 56105-H5925
** B210 with A14
** B210 with A12 1977-1978

Aftermarket
* Monroe Sensa-Trac 73949 $35
** Compressed Length: 17.875"
** Extended Length: 24.250"
** Body Length: 17.375"
** Travel: 6.375"

* AC/Delco gas-charged 50335/88945515 $39
* KYB 364003 GR-2 gas $52
  ** 1974-1978 B210
  ** 1979-1982 210
  ** 1980-1983 200SX
  ** 1978-1981 510
* AutoTek 181 00-167

KONI
From the 1984 Nissan Competition Catalog
* 99996-1912R B210/FRONT KONI SHOCK ABSORBER
** KONI 86-1912
   ** B310 Nissan 99996-2002P 210/FRONT KONI SHOCK ABSORBER
   ** KONI 86-2002
   ** B310 Nissan 99996-2002T 210/FRONT (SPORT) KONI SHOCK ABSORBER 
** KONI 86-2002

Lowering

A Datsun 1200 uses 418mm long strut inserts. If lowered more than two inches (50mm) the strut tubes should be shortened accordingly and shorter-than-stock inserts chosen. There are not many short inserts for the stock 1200 struts.

The good news is there are many short inserts available for 2" struts.

Stock specs
* 418mm insert body
* Length Collapsed: 462mm
* 169mm stroke

2" shortened struts need:
* 367mm or shorter insert body
* 412mm or shorter collapsed length

Many inserts can be used. 280ZX inserts are the traditional choice but limit the suspension travel. The 300ZX inserts are a better choice as they have a full stroke (close to the travel of a stock 1200). Inserts shorter than the tube will fit if you use a spacer in the bottom of the strut tube, for example a short length of 1.5" exhaust tubing topped by a large washer.

Inserts by Length

356 Body length
1979-1983 280ZX TURBO/NON TURBO
Gabriel G44869 $29 Rockauto
* Extended Length  21.36" 543mm
* Collapsed Length 15.65" 398mm
* Stroke            5.71" 145mm

364 Body length/ 555 Extended/ 318 Collapsed, Book reference wrong???
R31 6/86-12/90, Pintara
Gabriel G44946/G44972
Koni Red Specials - 86-2361

362 body length/ 559 extended/ 392 collapsed
1985 Nissan 300ZX (Z31)
BILSTEIN 34-002643
Gabriel G44936 $15 Rockauto
* Extended Length  21.06" 535mm
* Collapsed Length 14.69" 373mm
* Stroke            6.37" 162mm

357 body length/ 531 extended/ 366 collapsed
Z31 (300ZX) 1/86-89 Rockauto
Gabriel - G44968 
* Extended Length  20.91" 531mm
* Collapsed Length 14.41" 366mm
* Stroke            6.5"  165mm
Tokico Performance Gas - HZ3100

381 Body Length/ 543 Extended/ 398 Collapsed
240/260/280z (S30),Gazelle
from chassis#30-060001 strut tube size is increased inside and outside,
some inserts will fit both but others are chassis-specific
* fits all S30
  Mulholland - 2351501
  Gabriel G44869 $32 Rockauto
  * Extended Length  21.36" 543mm
  * Collapsed Length 15.65" 398mm 
  * Stroke            5.71" 145mm
  Monroe US Made - 86361
* up to chassis#30-060000
  Koni Red Specials - 86-1811
  Tokico HP Series - HZ3015
  KYB GR2 Gas - 361002
  Tokico Illumina 5-Way Adjustable - BZ3015
* from chassis#30-060001
  Tokico HP Series - HZ3012
  KYB GR2 Gas - 361003
  Tokico Illumina 5-Way Adjustable - BZ3012

403 Body length/ 575 Extended/ 415 Collapsed 
200b (810 L24E) 10/77-81, 240K (C110) 73-79, Skyline C210 3/78-80,
R30 3/81-86, 200SX 77-79, 1600 (P510) 8/71-73
Gabriel - G44856/G44900
Vera - 62-00976
Koni Red Specials - 86-2224

410mm (415mm if including gland nut) 340mm travel
1600 (P510) 68-8/69, 180b (P610) 72-77
Monroe - MC962,
Gabriel - G44864

437mm Body Length
Stanza/Violet/510 (A10) 77-81, Sunny (B310) 78-81, 200SX 80-83
Monroe - MC949,
Gabriel - G44752
Vera - 62-00570
KYB GR2 Gas - 364003

441mm Body Length
#HB210

??????? Not sized yet
1600 (P510) 9/69-7/71
Monroe MC926
Gabriel G44865

?????? Not sized yet
280ZX (S130) 78-83, Bluebird 80-83, Maxima (910) 82-84
Tokico Illumina - BZ3038,
Tokico Illumina 5-Way Adjustable - TOBZ3038
Tokico Performance Gas - HZ3038
Gabriel G44977
KYB GR2 Gas - 365013

GM Holden Commodore

You can use Commodore inserts (VB to VP) which are a little tight and 1/2 inch shorter than 1200 inserts.

Monroe 25-3632
* Commodore    1978-1993 VB,VC,VH,VK,VL,VN,VP
* Caprice      1990-1994 VQ including Statesman
* Toyota Lexen 1989-1993
* Type T6
* Body length:      405  mm (13 mm shorter than stock)
* Length Extended:  599  mm
* Length Compressed:405  mm
* Greater stroke than 1200 shocks
* Body Diameter: 44.5 mm ?
* Nut 110-039-037
* Ring 137-A61-007 

KYB #365007 Excel-G to suit GM Commodore 1978-1993
End shaft diameter: 14mm
Shaft diameter: 22mm
Body diameter: 43mm

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The Commodore Gland nut does not fit the Datsun strut body. The Datsun nut will not fit over the 22mm shaft.
Album 26184