May have found Konis to work in the W_body

[OldSkoolGP]

I replaced the front struts on my roomate's '97 Nissan Maxima this weekend when I noticed the Maxima uses the exact same front end strut setup as the W-bodies, save for where the tie rod bolts up. It uses, as W-bodies do, drop in cartridges that are held in with a big nut. I just looked at Koni's online catalog and they make struts for his car, and they appear to be drop in inserts and come with the procedure for drilling out the bottom for the adjustment bolt, just like we had to do with the old struts. I didn't get a chance to look at the back , but the back would be easy to make Konis work compared to the front. AFAIK, strut cartridges have a universal diameter so they should fit in GM housings. Only question would be about length, but that should be fairly universal as well. If I had the money, I'd experiment with this, sadly I'm short of funds ATM. Anyone want to look into this?

[pocket-rocket]

Hmm, good find I started looking around and the weight comparison because it would have an effect on how much struts absorb bumps and stuff and found:

Lumina:
Curb weight 3496 lb (1586 kg)

96 Maxima SE
List weight (what the site said) 4,273 lbs

So set on hard, it's probably going to be one very harsh ride. BTW, my funds are virtually non existent. I have to wait for my next check to get my front shocks and twin I beam bushings for my truck to get it going again (shocks are cheap compared to struts, and bushings are $15 a side before my discount).

[SappySE107]

Could we try the stock replacement unit for a test fit first? I have a koni front strut here (just 1) so that could be used for comparison as well.

[HayesPerformance]

This will be great if it works!

This is history for us if we find it works!

[OldSkoolGP]

I wanted to just get a stock cartridge replacement for a Maixima to try in my car since it's apart, but all the stores around here only sell a complete new strut housing with insert already installed. Perhaps if someone could find just a gas insert from a local parts store and try it in a W-body housing they have lying around we'd have our answer. As long as you're careful you should be able to return it and just say it was the wrong part or something.

Lumina:
Curb weight 3496 lb (1586 kg)

96 Maxima SE
List weight (what the site said) 4,273 lbs

I have driven his car pretty enthusiastically. No way does it weigh more than 4,000 pounds. Also, it's a 97 Maxima with a 5 speed, which should be lighter than an automatic. Also, a manual Z34 should weigh more like 3350 give or take.

[d.o.h.c]

For the fronts, there are konis that will drop right in. For the rear you will need to thread the tube and go from there. We are almost done with ours.