MR2 Shock Spacer

[lolcantturn]

Just to verify, the MR2 shock is 2" shorter, and the strut housing inner diameter is 1.5". So I will need a 2" tall pipe with a 1.5" outer diameter to slide into my strut housing tube, correct? Not looking to cut my strut housings at this time.

[badwella]

Yes, I used a section of pipe and welded a piece of 1/4" plate on one end.

[ak-]

Why not insert the shock first, then the spacer right on after?

[badwella]

The rod length of the Mr2 shock is actually shorter than the OEM ones. If you put a spacer on top of the shock you'd lose a lot of travel distance. Unless you're running really really short springs, you'd have a hell of a time trying to get the spring hats on. Not to mention probably bottoming out all the time.

My photo is misleading as that oem shock was completely blown and compressed.

[ak-]

The way I see it laid out, you'll gain travel if the spacer is put on top of the shock (under the gland nut of course, in the housing) since you're effectively lowering the shock 2", but the lowering spring stays at a static height. The spacer on top is for the gland nut to just hold the shock in position.
Putting the 2" spacer below the shock that is already 2" shorter than OEM nets you 0 travel gained, unless the internal shaft itself is much shorter in compression.

It's the same reason why you'd cut the housings 2" instead of using a spacer. You're cutting the housing 2" (which automatically drops the car 2" in ride height), then raising the coils back to it's original height to gain the 2" in shock travel you've taken out.

[badwella]

Shit. You're probably right. I'm too tired to think right now (not used to working nights).

I did the MR2 shocks with the sole intention of having a cheaper alternative to adjustable Koni shocks, not so much to adjust the ride height & travel distance.

Anyway, OP, yes, you just need to make yourself a 2" spacer.

[AndrewBird]

Putting the spacer on top would give you more compression travel, but if the spring has to compress a lot in order to fit the strut mount on, you might end up with little to no extension travel, which is also bad. It all depends on how it all fits together.