How much do I lower the front end?

[holtzboy]

1986 244DL with all the goodies in my sig. Just got some new 19560R15 Toyo Proxes TPT All Season Tires on my Virgo wheels. Before I go get an alignment I really would like to lower the front end so it is level with the rear. Here is a photo:

http://www.jacqui-of-all-trades.com/shane/volvo/244dl/244DL_Toyo_Sep06.jpg

It’s kind of a crappy shot since its nighttime in my slightly slanted downhill gravel driveway. This might be a cut a little bit and see how it looks type deal but do you think a half coil off my TME springs should bring it down enough or probably 1 coil? I hope to do this soon so I am not wearing the tires out more than I should and get the car prepared for the lovely rainy months that are ahead of it. Any and all opinions and comments are appreciated.

Thanks.

[speedn_j]

i usually go about 15% lower in the front to give it a mean look. ..also you can control how much oversteer you want by how low the front is

[Vol242vo]

I would start with 1 coil, but I'd imagine 1 1/2 coils will do the trick.

[klr142]

I wouldn't touch it if I were you Shane... You just need larger wheels. And I can't believe you wasted money on Les Schwab sell to stupids tires. WHY?!?!?!??!!?!?!?!?!??!?!

[Delfosse]

imdoing 2.5in front and 2in rear.. on both 244's i have.... the turbo will get springs made or if i find them until than..... SAWZALL TIME!!!

[ElPiloto]

Drop the front and back about 6".

[klr142]

imdoing 2.5in front and 2in rear.. on both 244's i have.... the turbo will get springs made or if i find them until than..... SAWZALL TIME!!!

On your IPD springs?

[blkaplan]

it looks decent as is,,, maybe .5" or .75" lower

[Slobodan]

I did something crazy with my wagon's spring setup. Pats old road cone car? yeah I have those cut diesel front springs, which makes the car too low for me. heh. so I put some cut rabbit rear springs inside of the diesel coils. EXTRA STIFF! and it brings the front up a just the touch it needs. the rear is cut 3 coils off wagon over loads. the ride is absolutely amazing! all I need is proper shocks.
However, I think half coil to a full coil off the front should make you feel satisfied.

[Homer]

IPD TME springs. One coil cut in the front yields this.
Stock.
http://homer.turbomorley.net/Gallery_old/Pictures/slides/DSCN1568.jpg
Lowered.
http://homer.turbomorley.net/gallery/main.php/d/251-2/DSCN2391.JPG

[klr142]

Homer, do you ever feel a little unsettled in the rear? Does your car feel better and more confidence inspring with junk in the trunk and/or with full tank of gas, vs. empty tank/trunk? I know my car does, but it's springs are much softer, and I don't have the rear triangle weights in my car. Did you take yours out? I lift the inside rear way too easily as it is.

Shane, if you're really set on making it look better, and not necessarily handle better(as far as I can tell it's not the highest priority on your list), sure, cut off a coil from the front. Definitely not any more than that though, and I'd start with just a half to see what it looks and feels like. Probably not going to make enough of a difference to feel, but yeah. All I know is that my car has too much weight in the front for how stiff my springs aren't, and it's too low up there.

FWIW, I think I have less rake than Homer even... My non-stiff springs though probably exagerate the issues it has with the lower front end though.

[holtzboy]

Wow I thought this thread was dead thanks for reviving it Kyle! Sounds like half coil should do the trick and be good enough for me. You are kind of right about not caring so much about the handling aspect. For a slow NA daily driver it handles exceptional and I can take corners fairly fast. Hopefully I can snip off the half coil soon because the car really needs an alignment. Herzog still does alignments correct? If not where should I take it?

Thanks for all of the replies so far.

[Homer]

Homer, do you ever feel a little unsettled in the rear? Does your car feel better and more confidence inspring with junk in the trunk and/or with full tank of gas, vs. empty tank/trunk? I know my car does, but it's springs are much softer, and I don't have the rear triangle weights in my car. Did you take yours out? I lift the inside rear way too easily as it is.


FWIW, I think I have less rake than Homer even... My non-stiff springs though probably exagerate the issues it has with the lower front end though.

Yes. Its alot better with a full tank of gas. I have those triangle weights in there and this whole rake thing is pissing me off to be honest. I need to take 1/2 a coil off the rear. And get new shocks. Something isn't right.

[Tfest]

i just picked up the B&G springs, i dont know if i could bring myself to cut them, they're so nicely progressively wound. i think once i get tired with them i'll just sell them to someone or part trade for some coilovers.

those and hd's go on tomorrow :)

[Homer]

i just picked up the B&G springs, i dont know if i could bring myself to cut them, they're so nicely progressively wound. i think once i get tired with them i'll just sell them to someone or part trade for some coilovers.

those and hd's go on tomorrow :)

You can't cut progressives.

[Tfest]

that's why im not cutting them... you can cut anything you want, its the results that are unfavorable :)

[klr142]

Wow I thought this thread was dead thanks for reviving it Kyle! Sounds like half coil should do the trick and be good enough for me. You are kind of right about not caring so much about the handling aspect. For a slow NA daily driver it handles exceptional and I can take corners fairly fast. Hopefully I can snip off the half coil soon because the car really needs an alignment. Herzog still does alignments correct? If not where should I take it?

Thanks for all of the replies so far.
No problem! I didn't like what I was reading, and knew I had some experience here, so I had to chime in because I saw the thread!

But seriously, why'd you get TPTs?!?! You shoulda come to me first so we could have a long and fun discussion about tires and gotten you some much better and cheaper ones!

And yeah, Herzog, or rather, H&M down the side street does alignments. Eli will probably be the one that does it, and he's awesome. They're all awesome actually, and for only $49 too!!! Some of the guys there you might recognize from Starbux nights... :)

Yes. Its alot better with a full tank of gas. I have those triangle weights in there and this whole rake thing is pissing me off to be honest. I need to take 1/2 a coil off the rear. And get new shocks. Something isn't right.I knew it!!! Both of those things should help. I want to put the triangles back in there, but my 235s won't allow it at this ride height... And I threw them away... But I could get them from anything here, so... Yeah.

that's why im not cutting them... you can cut anything you want, its the results that are unfavorable :)
Word.

[Homer]

I knew it!!! Both of those things should help. I want to put the triangles back in there, but my 235s won't allow it at this ride height... And I threw them away... But I could get them from anything here, so... Yeah.


Thus proving rake is not cool. I'm going to cut 1/2 coil and see how it sits, then take more off.