Gen 3 SLO struts

[98SF19]

Yes there are a ton of these in junk yards, but if I can make a deal here for loose ones, it'll save me sweating my balls off in Florida summer heat.
I really just need the housings to put in Konis, and don't want to cut up my SARC struts, as they seem to be in decent shape still and might fetch a little bit down the road.
My car's a 98 if it matters, but I think any Gen 3 SLO struts will do.
Thanks!

 

[zak]

Get the OEM SLO part numbers off Tascaparts.com, then check ebay and amazon, get the motorcraft number and check rockauto.]. You would be surprised, sometimes you can get a brand new pair for 40 bucks.

Have the tops cut off on a lathe, after first relieving the pressure by drilling a small hole.

 

[98SF19]

I'm guessing the $40 for new pair was without shipping? The best I could find was a set from a 97 SLO for $65, shipping included, and this was a combined shipping reduction as they were listed separately. I'm not sure how one would cut them down on a lathe though. Wouldn't you need to add counterweights?

 

[zak]

You can cut the tops off with a hacksaw instead of a lathe, the lathe just makes a cleaner cut.

For finding new 96-99 struts try searching for the Motorcraft part number, though 65 shipped for a new pair isn't that bad.

 

[98SF19]

I went with the $65 deal. They were actually from a '96, and I got to thinking, since the G3 front koni design is based on the G2, it makes sense to have the closest year to a G2 as possible, assuming there were slight changes made to G3 struts after 96.

I hacksawed them down and after cutting the one G2 strut I got with the konis - which was basically practice - I was a bit tighter with measurements and how I started each cut (used a guide to ensure correct alignment). So I guess doing the G2 strut was a blessing as it gave me experience.

About to start painting control arms, knuckles, struts, springs, and sway bar links. First gotta jack up tranny to get the driver's side front control arm bolt free . . .