front shocks question

I originally decided to replace the front pads on my 420G but now the whole front suspension is off and its having all the bushes, bearings, pipes etc replaced, calipers rebuilt and all new brake pipes, although the front shocks look and work ok i have decided to replace them anyway as the do look old. Anyone have any info on where the best place to get a set and are they common with any other car? Im only asking because when I needed a water pump for my Lagonda, Aston Martin wanted £575 for it, it turned out to be any early XJ6 one which I sourced for £145! thanks in advance, Allan

I have just been looking at martin robeys catalogue and they have listed front shocks, jaguar part number C23024, they are listed as 'all saloon models pre XJ' can anyone tell me if these are the correct type?

Allan,

let Charles wake up and Im sure he will know ...

Allan, why not upgrade and fit the XJ front hubs along with the vented discs etc? surely an excellent opportunity and a sensible one?

Allan,
This is the best I can do for the moment.

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Charles

carsie wrote:

Allan, why not upgrade and fit the XJ front hubs along with the vented discs etc? surely an excellent opportunity and a sensible one?

sounds like a great idea, is it an easy upgrade? do you know if other parts i.e calipers, springs, shocks and wisbones are similar enough to look at upgrading?

Hi Allan,

I have no experience of the conversion but I'm sure that there was an article from someone on here who changed his calipers over - albeit he used an angle grinder at one point (not quite my method of engineering ! )

The mindset that I adopt for upgrade is that the development engineers will existing parts and upgrade those, but keep the original pressings/mounts e.g a master cylinder from AP will probably have the same bulkhead mount holes, so look to similar models from the same period if for example you want to change bore diameter's.

I have used this very successfully when building my Elan and thinking back I used the same philosophy when fitting the four pots to my TR8 - Princess calipers, metro four way splits and SD1 vented discs.

Re. Mk10 look to the DS420. the wheel size went up to 15" (same as an XJ) on that basis the calipers will fit as the stub axle will transfer across and I guess vented discs from a later XJ will bolt straight on.

Consider the master cylinder in the conversion as well as the servo - stating the obvious the XJ is lighter, the V12 about on par and the DS420 - I dunno??

There's a chap on the XJ40 Forum called XJ12Rob who seems to be very knowledable and also breaks XJ's. I'm sure a call to him would elicit the info and the parts.

I wonder what Madabag Jag did with his V12?

hmmmmmm! all this has got me thinking, I am going to have a look at a lightly damaged XJR 6 cylinder supercharged tomorrow to see if it is possible with some fettling to swap most of the running gear! that would make it a real beast! I may also check out a 4 Litre XJ40 while I am looking around for the same reason. If a V12 can be fitted why not a supercharged 4 litre! unless you know different, still wont be as quick as my M5 though!

I dont know what M5 you have Allan but Ive had an E39 M5 and an E39 M5 Individual in the end I got rid of my last one as I found it boring and had no character...

Yes they are fast, but I fell out of love with mine....

I get more pleasure out of driving my E-Type and thats what I replaced it with....

I like the idea of the 4l Supercharged would this be a first time done for this car

If you do it Im sure the members would love to see a project thread

Hi Allan,

The past week has been really frustrating. I found the XJ brake swap article, saved it into my "favourites" and now when I've come to post can't find the blinkin thing again - sorry!

I did do a search on this site (brakes) and someone in the chassis and modifications section has also seen the article and then comments further; obviously if I find it again then I'll re-post.

The bottom line from where I am, is that I'd go the 15" wheel route and fit XJ stub axles and vented discs with 4 pots. I really can't see it being anything but an easy swop.

You also mention the supercharge engine. I like linear engineering improvement , as per brake conversions and MadJag's V12 but somehow this one doesn't ring with me- don't know why - totally irrational I know whereas the V8 American conversions (LT1 et al) that I've previously commented upon are a total NO NO! and yet again..... totally irrational - I know I can be shot down on logic but heh! if the idea floats your boat then follow this guy on Retrorides..

Supercharge XJ Series 1

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Enjoy

A good site to read would be the beechams site if Im correct they put this engine in the E-Type.

Also if you google there is a Mk2 with a 4.0l supercharged engine on the market.

thanks for your input, I have now decided to keep it totally original, although I am fitting a MK10 Grille and dashtop just because I like them better! Front suspension is now ready for shotblasting and powdercoating, most of the underseal has now gone and any signs of rot has been cut out and repaired, Also the interior is now totally stripped. Im hoping to get it all finished by August! Will post some pictures of the progress soon! Im still thinking of a MK10/420g supercharged project for the future though! Saying that my other project that I put on hold for the Jag should get attention next! (MK1 Escort van)

allan ayling wrote:

Also the interior is now totally stripped.

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craftsman and trim if I can assist please give me a shout...