Hi All,

Are the 120Y struts a straight swap in a 72 ute?

I've scrounged up a 120Y conversion (master cyclinder, front struts, lines,etc) and thinking about doing it this week - wanting to know what surprises I'm going to have.

I haven't bothered picking out the rear slave cylinders yet - are they much different between the all drum and 120Y models size wise? Or is a proportioning valve a better option with these conversions?

Sorry for all the newbie questions, I'm new to the 1200 datsuns...

Cheers,
Brad

Hi the struts tops on the 120y are different to the 1200 they sit in the strut tower insead of sticking out the top. other wise they will fit but might make the front sit heigher.

If you have a booster you will have to drill four holes in the fire wall, and extend the thred on the shaft and cut about 1cm of the end.

The bake lines might be abit long.

120y strut tops have a M10 bolt instead of the M8, you'll have to drill the holes or swap strut tops over, and as oan said, they will raise the car a bit if you use the 120y ones!

How much do you estimate it would raise the car?

I noticed the strut tops were different - is it worth swapping the tops? Will that lessen the raising of the vehicle?

Thanks for your replies.

G'day there ...

Yes the 120Y tops will raise your car a fair bit.

It is not hard from (10 yr old) memory to swap the strut tops (and bearing and spring tops. may want to consider which springs to use).

I also think there are some variations with the steering arms (under the struts)

I'd be using the ones that came with the struts.

With the mastercyl, no real prob (unless it has as a booster - why would you???)

Brake lines - you could start with the 120Y ones, but prob easiler to start from scratch.

I could help with the brake lines and I'm chasing up a new bmc for someone else at present.

Simon
www.datsunparts.com.au

My suspension terminology is a bit rough...

When you say "steering arms" do you mean the part attached to the strut that the tie rod end attaches to?

I'm just want to make sure I've gotten everything I need before I start - or do I need to go to the wrecker again?

Booster: No. The 120Y didn't have one on it either

I think the 120Y Master cylinder uses a different push rod arrangement. A new 1200 coupe master will cost you around $100.

You should be able to make everything fit still, it just might take a bit more mucking around.

Check the bolt spacing on the bottom of the strut and on the steering arm. Mix and match to suit. If it is an early 120Y which it sounds like, it should be apples.

You can measure using calipers with it all together. . .

edit: and yeah, swapping the strut tops will take 2 minutes. Do it unless you want to go 4WDing. . . Pick the springs you want. . .

I think he is referring to the lower control arm. Ball joints may be different depending on the year of your car& what you are swapping to. Best bet is to use the lower control arms that go with the new struts. Steering arms, as far as I can tell (quick measure notwhile assembled) are the same for the 1200 & 120y. Get the sway bar as well as 120y is thicker than 1200 (20 vs 17mm). Strut tops should be a straight swap over- you want to retain your original ones- but you will obviously need spring compressors to do it. You may not need to change your master cylinder if you have the dual resivoir type- just take the plastic check valve out- search for discussion on this.

Edit:Moving a bit fast for me.... thanks cable tie.

Cheers!

Thats very clear. In any case, I'll make sure I document the process step by step to add something back to this site.

Yep - I made sure I grabbed the sway bar. I took the master cylinder, struts and front lines.

At the moment, there appears to be a twin master cylinder in it with only the rear pot connected to a line which then goes to a distribution block that feeds all of the brake lines. Was this an original, quasi-twin circuit system? Or has someone replaced the master cylinder at some point? The master cylinder has two, same sized pots on it.

have you thought about putting in something different to make the thing handle??? la lb lancer struts fit in, giving you 2 degrees of camber and a bigger brake setup all in one hit. Minimal work to get it in. Caster rods have to be threaded an extra 100 mm, but all worth the work for the extra performance!!!