Tires/Rims/Suspension Discuss your tires, rims, and your suspension system in here.

7th Gen SS Rear Struts on 6th Gen SS

  #1  
Old 03-12-2013, 05:19 AM
NovaSS369's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 392
Default 7th Gen SS Rear Struts on 6th Gen SS

Alright guys, as you can see in my signature I am running the SS wheels off the 7th gens SS on my 2001 6th gen SS. I bought them with the Goodyear Eagle RSA 235/50/18 tires on them and the only reason the back ones fit was because they were worn just enough to not rub on the struts. Here's my problem, I need tires. Soon.

Butttt, I don't want to put 235/45/18 tires on if possible because I think the sidewall will look too small, fill up wheel well less, and take away from the smooth ride. I am curious if I buy rear struts for a 7th gen ss (different than the other models) can I use my existing spring? Or will I need full kits for the rears? I've noticed the rear is sitting a bit low anyways so doing the struts is probably going to happen anyways and might as well do it now. The fronts will fit fine with 235/50/18 tires from what I hear? So I am only wondering what to do for rears...

All-in-all; can I buy struts for a 2006-2007 SS and install them in my rear springs so that I can purchase 235/50/18 tires instead of buying 235/45/18s?

Thanks guys!
 
  #2  
Old 03-12-2013, 05:53 AM
ChibiBlackSheep's Avatar

Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
15 Year Member
10 Year Member5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 25,136
Default

Pretty sure you need both strut and spring from the FE4 package.

I also don't think 245/45/18 looks bad though.
 
  #3  
Old 03-12-2013, 06:49 AM
NovaSS369's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 392
Default

I wish I could see what they would look like :/ I really want like the way they look in the wheel well space-wise and I wouldn't mind a rise in the rear of the car with new struts...
 
  #4  
Old 03-12-2013, 07:45 AM
ChibiBlackSheep's Avatar

Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
15 Year Member
10 Year Member5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 25,136
Default

Name:  wall_sides-1.jpg
Views: 1679
Size:  68.4 KB

Name:  rear_quarters-1.jpg
Views: 1553
Size:  42.1 KB

Name:  IMG-20100911-00055.jpg
Views: 907
Size:  156.8 KB

There's my 245/45/18s. The last picture shows my stock rims and the new rims.
 
  #5  
Old 03-12-2013, 08:04 AM
NovaSS369's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 392
Default

Hmmm may need to pull out an old penny and see if the fronts are good enough to fit in the back and then just get new fronts...
 
  #6  
Old 03-12-2013, 08:38 AM
NovaSS369's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 392
Default

My mistake, they are 235/50/18
 
  #7  
Old 03-12-2013, 09:34 AM
06mistreSS's Avatar
Monte Of The Month -- November 2012
Monte Of The Month -- August 2015
10 Year Member
5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Posts: 4,779
Default

The struts for both the 6th Gen and 7th Gen are the same. I got Bilstein HD's for mine not that long ago so I know for a fact Bilsteins are the same between the 00-05 and 06-07. It shouldn't matter what brand you go with; same part number, same design, etc. but I would definitely double check that before you just go buy something.
 
  #8  
Old 03-12-2013, 10:27 AM
NovaSS369's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 392
Default

Actually the 2006-2007 rear struts are different on the models that came with factory 17" or 18" wheels (LTZ/SS) the fronts are same across all years and trim levels. That's why my factory takeoffs from an 07 SS wouldn't fit on the back of my 01 SS.
 
  #9  
Old 03-12-2013, 10:33 AM
06mistreSS's Avatar
Monte Of The Month -- November 2012
Monte Of The Month -- August 2015
10 Year Member
5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Posts: 4,779
Default

Originally Posted by NovaSS369
Actually the 2006-2007 rear struts are different on the models that came with factory 17" or 18" wheels (LTZ/SS) the fronts are same across all years and trim levels. That's why my factory takeoffs from an 07 SS wouldn't fit on the back of my 01 SS.
Pretty sure you'd be okay running those struts in the rear as long as they have the same mounting points (which they should) and you run the correct spring for the strut, like Mike mentioned.
 
  #10  
Old 03-12-2013, 10:57 AM
NovaSS369's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 392
Default

Well I measured the back tires and they are about 5/32 or so judging halfway between the lincoln hairline on the penny and the washington on the quarter and they dont have much room with the strut and its really just my fronts so I ordered new 235/50/18 Goodyear Eagle RSAs and will throw those on the front. I was right at/under 2/32 on the fronts - yikes! No wonder I never got anywhere in this Iowa winter!
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: 7th Gen SS Rear Struts on 6th Gen SS



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:28 PM.