Suspension interchangability

[tom4bren]

For my Birthday, the fambly got me OME 913's for the 99 Amigo. While the springs are the same as those for the VX, there is some differences on the rear suspension. It was a bit more difficult to install the springs on the Amigo than for the VX (rear suspension just wouldn't droop enough for removal of the spring). Some redneck engineering got'r done though. A bottle jack between the axle & the frame forced the droop needed (didn't figger that one out though until several PITA bolts were removed that didn't need to be).

The front suspension on the other hand appears to be identical to the VX though ('cept for the shocks of course). The Torsion Bar crank for lift was almost too easy after the battle with the rear springs (kinda anti-climatic).

The point of this thread though is to indicate that if you need front suspension parts for the VX, look for a 99 Amigo in the boneyard. The rear suspension is a different matter though ... nothing on the rear end will be of use.

[VXCanada]

Did you use a spring compressor? Should be pretty straight forward and quick to swap out the rear springs. Havn't done mine yet though on the VX but have done so on other cars.

http://photo.platonoff.com/Auto/20070511.Saab_NG900_Eibach_Springs_From_a_9-3/20070511z2.Spring_compressor.jpg

[eternal21]

Glad you got the rear figured out, and it is interesting b/c you even commented in this thread from 6 months ago http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=25109 in which I explained the exact method you used *lol*. That's the only method I've used, and it's always worked like a champ w/no headache.


You don't have to disconnect the shocks. I lifted another VX last night (2nd one) and trying to line up the rear shocks is a pain. After jacking the truck up and placing the jack stands under the frame, if you:
a) disconnect the rear anti roll bar from both sides
b) remove the bump stops attached to the frame you can
c) place the OEM Isuzu bottle jack on the axle where it would contact the bump stops, and then use the jack to jack up the frame to create the space you need to remove the springs.

Using this method, you have to do one side @ a time, remove both rear tires and a total of 8 bolts (2 per bumpstop, 2 per anti sway bar bushing) and it'll take you ~45 mins.

[Marlin]

The amigo is built on the rodeo platform, we are on the trooper platform. AFAIK, there are only 3 variations in the front end: narrow, medium and wide?
Thos variations are achieved using the control arms, and the lower ball joint mounts, requiring the 3 different lengths of CV joints.

[eternal21]

Did you use a spring compressor? Should be pretty straight forward and quick to swap out the rear springs. Havn't done mine yet though on the VX but have done so on other cars.

http://photo.platonoff.com/Auto/20070511.Saab_NG900_Eibach_Springs_From_a_9-3/20070511z2.Spring_compressor.jpg

Spring compressor for the VX is not necessary.

[tom4bren]

Glad you got the rear figured out, and it is interesting b/c you even commented in this thread from 6 months ago http://vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=25109 in which I explained the exact method you used *lol*. That's the only method I've used, and it's always worked like a champ w/no headache.

ROFL ... I forgetted. So much for me being innovative. Seems to me that the VX has much more rear suspension droop so the jacking wouldn't be needed.

Bump stops were gone on both sides (don't ask 'cause I don't know why). There was only rusted out residue of the mounting brackets.

Even with 3" of lift, it looks like some metallic deformation of the front fender wells to fit 31x10.50's will be required.