Ke70 Vs Ae71/ae86 Front Strut Comparison

[recks02]

I thought that some people here might find this useful because ordering suspension parts for the front end of AE71 Panno has been a nightmare for me.

The parts were listed as fitting KE70/AE71 and as the pictures show, they are different.

 

My car is a 1984 AE71 Panno and the KE70 parts are off a 1982 model sedan.

 

KE70 parts are on the left. AE71 stuff on the right

 

Tyres are 195/50/15

 

King Springs Low (part no. KFRL-16) and Stock Springs Low (part no. Makita angle grinder)

 

Strut clearance pics of AE71

and KE70

 

KE70 spring on AE71 Strut

Edited May 4, 2009 by recks02

[KE70-from-mt-panorama]

I Have heard that AE71 Panel Vans did come with the bigger struts the same as AE86 struts in them (different to AE71/KE70 Sedans), So I'm assuming that these struts you have are these.

 

I'm sure someone on here can probably give you more insight into this.

[recks02]

It's great to know that my suspension is identical to the AE86.

I wish I knew this BEFORE I ordered the springs and shocks.

 

It might also be worthwhile mentioning that the struts are not interchangable, unless you also change the lower part that connects to the ball joint and tie rod end. I don't know what it's called :)

 

Here's a pic of the brake pads as well.

[adam-__-]

AE71 panel van struts are the same as those found on the AE86. The AE71 sedan, wagon are different. And for those wondering about the KE70 panel vans, they're NOT the same as AE86 struts, just the AE71 panel vans.

 

Struts are all interchangeable as long as you get the brake bits and the steering arms (word you're looking for :lol: ) with it. If installing AE86/AE71 panel van struts into your 'normal' E7's, you'll need to also change strut top hats to correct castor.

[phife]

The dba website gives a clue to what is similar/same

 

KE30#, KE 50# 8/74 - 9/81 Imported Brakes

DBA142 Solid disc 218x10

 

KE30#, KE50#, KE 70, AE 71 10/81-12/84 Local Brakes

DBA144 Solid disc 218x12.7

 

KE70 Panel Van 10/81- 9/83

DBA145 Solid disc 228x12.7

 

AE71 Panel Van 9/83 -12/84 AE86 Sprinter 5/83 -11/84

DBA700 Solid disc 234x12.5

 

Btw, out of interest, what is the free height on the KE70 low springs?

[recks02]

Height of the KE70 low springs are 325mm.

 

Here's some other useful part numbers.

 

Kingsprings:

Front springs low

KE70/AE71 sedan (KFRL-16)

AE71 Van/AE86 (KTFL-33)

Edited May 7, 2009 by recks02

[knibusu]

Here to add some information and get some help I have a March 1983 Toyota Corolla KE70 Wagon, early model based of the front hubs and I measured to strut housing and the outside diameter came around to 45mm, and the bottom strut spring perch measured 140mm outside diameter so I am just wondering what lowering spring can I use for this strut assembly and and reccomendations on the shock absorber insert to use.

 

[altezzaclub]

"Front KFRL-16

Notes: CHECK FOR REDUCTION OF INSIDE DIAMETER OF ORIGINAL COIL LOWER MOUNT. IF 110MM ID USE KTFL-33 OR KTFS-33., PROGRESSIVE RATE DESIGN USED.

Price code: A"

https://kingsprings.com.au/catalogue/vehicle/945/toyota-corolla-ae70-ke70-1981-1985

For shocks I'm afraid no-one makes any modified shocks for the small diameter struts as far as I know, you are stuck with original equipment style like Monroe. If your struts have wet shocks inside you can modify the valves yourself, but they won't be able to be gassed.

[knibusu]

Cheers @altezzaclub so the Front KFRL-16 it is, yeah i think with a 30mm drop it wont be to bad, yeah ill have a look into the original oem style shock just to freshen up the front suspension, I bought the KE70 BC Gold coilovers with spare KE70 spindles sadly I sold them because I didnt think I was gonna lower it anytime soon, here I am wanting to lower my Wagon dumb of me, In the future I will convert to AE86 front Suspension and willwood brakes but for now just want a slightly lowered stance to fill in the guards abit.
 

[Banjo]

There is a bit of info on here, from others, in years gone past. I went through this exercise, about 13 years ago.

https://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/65673-strut-indentification/#comment-654673

https://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/63524-ke-3055-brake-upgrade/

I'll see if I can't dig out any more links for You, that might assist.

Cheers Banjo

Edited 15 hours ago by Banjo

[altezzaclub]

Yes, I'm using the BCR conversion & Manon's Willwood brakes setup. The 13" brake caliper he sells doesn't go inside a stock 13" KE70 rim, so its all 14s now.

The BCR springs were too stiff for these roads, so I'm on stock rears with a bit cut off and I bought some 4kg/mm fronts off Ebay. Looks like this-

Those are tall 175 tyres, I'll probably get lower-profile 185s next time.

We also did some machining of BCR's top hat system to run stock rubber tops, the camber adjusters were too harsh on bumps. You can see where I drive each day, no motorways or well-made Sydney roads!

Are you going to add anti-tramp arms or similar to improve the rear suspension? The cart springs are pretty limited in everything except carrying loads.

[knibusu]

I like the stance of that yeah tyres are abit tall, but still good fitment yeah bummer the 13 inch willwood brake setup dorsnt fit the stock rims, in gonna run 14's asswell, I went to Lovells suspension here at my lical in Western Australia to enquire about front lowering springs, unfortunately there sport low which I believe is 30mm drop not available, but they had there super low 25-60mm, I thought I would experiment there is a video on youtube of Vinnie Rola using the super lows on his stock ke70 struts so I thought why not. For the shock absorber inserts I am going to swap up the liquid filled oem ones with KYB EXCEL-G CARTDRUDGE - 363023 which apparently is just a direct oem solution replacement.

As for the rear leafs I am gonna get them reset and install rear coilivers from Techo Toy Tuning "T3 Rear Coilivers" the KYB AGX, adjustable damper style ones.

If the fronts are to low and don't work well then I will get the king springs sport low version. But for now I will see how the Lovell spring and KYB EXCEL-G Front setup go.

As for my wheels I came across BCI wheels they do a 4-114.3 14x6 +12 they did have a 14x7 +9 but unfortunately removed them from there catalogue so the 14x6 will have to suffice.

 

[altezzaclub]

Should be interesting when its done, those T3 coilovers will make a difference.