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!

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

I also don't think 245/45/18 looks bad though.

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...

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There's my 245/45/18s. The last picture shows my stock rims and the new rims.

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...

My mistake, they are 235/50/18

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.

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.

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!