richjoneser

I recently purchased a 1974 RX4 Wagon.

Wondering if there are any compatible front suspension swaps (springs/struts). Rx3? RX2?

I have been told a first gen rx7 can be done, but some cutting is required.

Or, I am more than willing purchase new or slightly used parts, but obviously they are hard to come by for rx4 in the states. If anyone knows where I might find the parts. . .

Let me know.

RotorRican

Hello richjoneser

Welcome to the forum,

The go to man for suspension swaps and more is Wackyracer, he might be

able to point you in the right direction on what work or not.

How about some pictures of the wagon!!!

Andres

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

My recently upgraded my bros RX-4 to 1st gen suspension including strut tops and brake calipers. It lowered the front by appx 2" so you will need to use a 2" lowering blocks in the rear. You will need to buy a longer u-bolt but the ones are autozone are too short (7/16 thick) while the longer one is too thick (appx 1/2 thick). So our local truck spring shop (big rig) made a custom 7/16" thick U-bolts for $5 each. Also, you need new brake lines for the front: either flare new lines or get one from RESpeed (old school thread pitch on female side and 81+ on male). Btw, I tried to use my extra set of RX-2/RX-3 rear disc conversion bracket on the RX-4 but it didnt work. The RX-4's axle housing is larger than the duece and RX-3.

As I mentioned above, the 1st gen suspension wil drop it too low and you will need to roll the fenders (less than 1 finger gap between the lip and tires). Just like what I did to my RX-3, I will make a 1" aluminum spacer (similar to the RX-3's stock triangular shim) which will sit between the strut top and the frame. look closely on the 1st pix. Its not hard to do if you have the right equipment but the center hole is a bitch using a basic drill and grinder. The other option is to buy the 1/4 shims at Mazdatrix $15/each.

(PS: I havent touched the 73 RX-3 in months . By the time I get it running, I will be retired and can no longer drive a stick )

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

nm

richjoneser

If I am understanding what you are saying, the aluminum spacer will allow the conversion without doing any other mods to accommodate the lowering, right?

Doesn't sound too difficult.

BENDER420

cant wait to see how this project comes along! btw: where's the pics.

richjoneser

Here are a couple pics. There is some rust on the hood, but it's fine. Just need to tighten it up. . .

RotorRican

Nice!

I love to see more RX-4's on the forum,

Keep this sexy cars alive!!

Thanks Wacky for sharing your knowledge with us.


Andres

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

I cant post the pix of that RX-4 at this time since its not complete yet. But the spacer will give you the proper clearance as I have done in my RX-3. Its not a bad ride at all when that set-up was in my flared RX-3. Ive seen guys who will just bolt on the first gen suspension and call it a day but its just too low (and same with a RX-3-you need a 3" lowering blocks in the rear). You can also add a RCA but that will only fix the geometry). Functionality before appearance.

I've also tried extending the 1st gen strut housing to match the RX-3's strut height bu that was a failure. KYB strut insert is no longer available and with KONI - still available but wont fit a1st gen strut housing. The cartridge is larger that a 1st gen.

My next experiement is cut the RX-3 strut housing and weld it to the 1st gen, right above the spindle. But Im not sure if the housings are made with same material. Anything can be mig welded but how long will it last? I've got many ideas but I dont have the proper equipments to do it.

Or spend time at the junkyard and find a good replacement from another vehicle. But who knows if such replacement cartridge will be available years from now.

banzaitoyota

so you bought the wagon form neil. Congrats

richjoneser

Yeah, I bought it from Neal.

I love the car, and it's in great shape. Now I have the dilemma of keeping it stock vs. updating. It is hard to molest a car like this one since there are so few of them left.

I like the idea of updating it, but I really like the car and want to maintain the look and feel. It is tricky.

richjoneser

OK one other question. Can you swap out parts from an old REPU?

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

Yes to motor, tranny and radiator/oil cooler

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

1st generation 626 strut inserts fit in the 1st gen Rx-7 strut housings but are longer than RX-7 struts. Perhaps this is a solution for putting RX-7 front suspension on the RX-4. I have 3 or 4 sets of NOS Koni 626 front strut inserts (I forget how many.) If someone has a Rx-7 strut insert sitting around that they can measure, I can measure one of my 626 inserts for comparison. I would also be open to selling a couple sets of my 626 struts if this turns out to be a wokrable idea.

-James

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

now we're talking. Im still waiting for a reply from the tokico sales rep I've met at JCCS for a replacement strut that has same diameter for 81-85 but 17" total cartridge housing lenght (stock RX-3).

PM me me the 626 specs such as strut thicknes and lenght. I will compare it with the RX-3, RX-4 and 81-85. If you can use a dial caliper for a much more accurate reading.

thanks

richjoneser

Hey SUV, did you get a chance to measure the 626 struts?

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

Yes I PM'd the specs to Wacky. He thinks they would work out and are the correct length.

-James

richjoneser

Wacky, do you agree? I am off hunting for first gen 626 struts as I speak

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

For the RX-3, it will be a good height since the 1st gen is 14" tall while the RX-3 is 17". As far as the diameter, it will fit since it is in between the KYB and Koni.

Now, if the 626 cartridge is a good replacement for a stock RX-4, I will post the result later on this week. FYI: KYB's for a RX-4 is still available but I cant remember the name of that website.

If you want to use the 1st gen strut for the RX-4, you have to buy 3 shims from mazdatrix of which 2 are needed on the driver side strut. Without the shims, it will be too low for my taste. For the rear, you need 1.5 lowering blocks (1.75 max). The RESpeed & Rotary Power RX-2 and RX-3 rear disc conversion brackets wont fit the RX-4's rear axle flanges.

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

I do have sets of RX-4 front Konis for sale. Where are you in Ohio Rich? I'm in northern KY.

-James

richjoneser

SUV:

The site is not letting me respond to your pm until I have 15 posts. (seems ridiculous since I sent you a pm 2 days ago.)

I will definitely take the struts. Price is good, and i will pay the shipping as well.

PM me your email address, and I will send my details, and work out how to pay you.

antiSUV

iTrader: (10)

Crap, Rich...
I'm sorry, I just noticed above that I wrote "sets of RX-4 Konis" when I meant to write "626". I didn't notice that until just this moment.

Let me know if you are still interested and I'm sorry about the confusion. I was going to wait until Wacky confirmed that the 626 length would work for the Rx-4, before really trying to sell them.

Wacky, any news on that?

Again, sorry for the typo.

-James

richjoneser

That's cool. I can wait. There is an 1985 rx7 down the street from me that hasn't run in about a year. 115k on the odometer. She wants 800, but I think she would take considerably less. If I pick that up, I might swap out the suspension as wacky describes above.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

I will give you the specs this weekend. Been working long hours lately and I cant work outside when it is in the low 60's.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

since I have been working overtime at home, here are few teasers. tomorrow pix will be gone. I just havent taken new pix with the mazdatrix shims and RESpeed camber kit for a 1st gen.