Au1 Xr Suspension / Sway Bar Into Fairmont

mattp · 14-09-2006, 09:10 PM

Hey all, I've searched and found a bit on this matter, but just want to be sure before I go ahead with this because of some conflicting advice I got from a wrecker (who I suspect is wrong). I have an AUI Fairmont (non-IRS) and want to lower it a bit, I can pick up springs & shocks from an XR6 for cheap (I know new shocks would be better but I'm poor). The wrecker says this set up is the same as a standard falcon, but I'm sure it'd be lower. Were all AU XR's lower than their Falcon/Fairmont counterparts? Also, I read it's a straight swap for the springs/shocks, is this correct? Can I also swap for an XR sway bar while I'm at it, and is this any different to what I'd have in the Fairmont? Will stuff from an AU2 or 3 fit an AU1? Thanks in advance for your help guys, Matt.

Futura01 · 14-09-2006, 10:04 PM

Should be a straight swap!!
make sure you get complete shocks & springs and swaybars with the mounts and bolts as they sometimes can very only at the rear near the diff with reverse mounting brackets but other then that should be no problems.
and yes will lower the car to xr height

JC · 15-09-2006, 01:12 AM

AU1/AU2/AU3 shocks and springs will fit, but not swaybar. The swaybars on AU1s are more like EF/EL, the AU2/3 were a different design. I wouldn't imagine the swaybars would be any different between XR and non-XR models though.

If you want to stiffen the swaybar up a bit without actually replacing it, use nolathane bushes - they aork a treat.

JC · 15-09-2006, 01:16 AM

And XR springs will drop the car between 30 and 50mm, depending on when your Fairmont was built. Early AUs sat around 20mm higher than later ones. XRs all ended up around the same height, no matter if they were AU1/2/3. Springs for the 6 and the V8 are the same (except the XR8s are all IRS....).

Abacus · 15-09-2006, 01:36 PM

Double post

Abacus · 15-09-2006, 01:38 PM

I have done exactly what you are proposing.

This is how low it is afterwards:

Just one thing you might want to do before you go ahead...drive an XR first. Go to a car yard and take one for a test drive. Make sure you take it over some patched/potholed roads.

If you are used to the comfy ride of a Ghia you will find the XR suspension a lot different.

mattp · 15-09-2006, 07:12 PM

Thanks for that, especially for that photo Abacus, looks great! I might go drive one too, but I'm not too fussed on the cushy ride anyway. Cheers!