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Achieveing that "Low Look" with the right set up

I'm happy with how my wagon looks and rides. OEM turbo gas shocks/struts, (progressive rate) TME lowering springs, lower chassis brace, subframe braces, ipd sways, 16" Perfos and soon to have 205/55 Conti DW's. Handles good, rides nicely. Should be even better after I get the new tires on.

Tires make a big difference in ride quality, not only the sidewall size, but how the tires are constructed. My old 740 road better with 225/45/17 Conti DW's than it did with 205/55/15 Potenza RE750's. In addition to the tires being a smoother riding tire, I have a feeling that the Billy HD's weren't quite valved right for how light the 15" wheel setup was. The ARE meshies I had on it for a long time were actually really light.
 
So after reading most of the replies, you guys agree...*based on coin*...either one of those 3 setups I posted will work. THAT's really the answer I'm looking for. because whether it's big wheels, tiny tires or small wheels big tires, the way to get that "low look" without taking away from the ride quality, you have to consider your wheel choices. think the wheel choice will have a lot to do with the life of your struts.

example, my V70 is dropped on H&R's all around, no extra mods. and I kept the 16x7's on it because I got that "low look" without losing ride quality. sure I can throw some 17's-19's on it with rubber band tires, and feel every bump in the road, and lose turning radius, but that's not me. and that's not the point I'm making. but to each his own.

I want my low cars to be 60:40 = low:ride.. that's my goal. as close to 50:50 as possible.

I can't do 70:30 or even 80:20. I got a mountain bike for that...lol
 
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IMO, 17's are a very reasonable wheel size, 18's are pushing the envelope, anything bigger is donk status.
 
I'm happy with how my wagon looks and rides. OEM turbo gas shocks/struts, (progressive rate) TME lowering springs, lower chassis brace, subframe braces, ipd sways, 16" Perfos and soon to have 205/55 Conti DW's. Handles good, rides nicely. Should be even better after I get the new tires on.

Tires make a big difference in ride quality, not only the sidewall size, but how the tires are constructed. My old 740 road better with 225/45/17 Conti DW's than it did with 205/55/15 Potenza RE750's. In addition to the tires being a smoother riding tire, I have a feeling that the Billy HD's weren't quite valved right for how light the 15" wheel setup was. The ARE meshies I had on it for a long time were actually really light.



Right on. and I notice you stayed in the 16inch range. that's important to your overall ride on these cars. just my opine.
 
Right on. and I notice you stayed in the 16inch range. that's important to your overall ride on these cars. just my opine.

Did you read that I said my old 740 road better with the 17" setup than the 15" setup?

17 x ?what tho?

finish the deal man...:cool:

17 x whatever you want to try to fit. As far as I'm aware of, width won't affect ride like sidewall height. Well, wide tires might tramline more and then you have the unsprung weight issue. You can fit 17x10 CCW's if you put flares on it. Basically, there are a lot of factors involved and only you can decide where you want to slot your car in the spectrum with regards to wheel size, tire size, tire and wheel package weight, suspension setup, budget, ride and handling.

I had 17x7.5's on my 740 and they were a conservative pick that didn't require pulling fender lips. The wheel offset was et41, after adapters the effective offset was et13 in front and et6 in back. It rubbed on hard cornering, so I rolled the rear lips a bit. I think you could do 17x8's on a 7/9 easily enough without mad stretch or anything, but you'd have to roll at least the rear fenders and make sure the offset is spot on.

For reference, here's my old 740:

16b_zpsd8e58c75.jpg


7_zpsefb07e87.jpg


Here's my 940:

DSC07629_zps8d486602.jpg


Neither of them are that low, just lowered.

Sounds like you just need to buy some ipd lowering springs and source some 16x7 wheels with some 205/55/16 tires... and call it a day.
 
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You are running better shocks than I was. I had a lot of travel +244 springs are soft. Wagons are stiffer and great for saggy 244's.
that was on a gray 90 I ragged hard for a couple years. Bushings were shot to so that did not help.
I sold it to a college chick and got my money back.. World of volvos.
I had to grind down the fender well.
Are you wanting wheels on the 242 or the 940?
 
I want my low cars to be 60:40 = low:ride.. that's my goal. as close to 50:50 as possible.

"Low" and ride quality are very subjective. What is plenty low to me is high to a TBer like Rada. What I think is a good balance of ride and handling might be too close to stock for someone else. I've seen some of the "stances" you're saying you like. Like I said, I just think you should get some ipd sprangz and some 16x7 wheels.
 
"Low" and ride quality are very subjective. What is plenty low to me is high to a TBer like Rada. What I think is a good balance of ride and handling might be too close to stock for someone else. I've seen some of the "stances" you're saying you like. Like I said, I just think you should get some ipd sprangz and some 16x7 wheels.

in order to get the 240 low like I want it, I might have to do this setup. you're right. currently got the 14's, and if I cut too many coils out it make the ratio dip to
(40:60 ride:low)

but since I'm keeping the Rigels on the 940, I'm just gonna put in 5mm spacers on and drop the car 2 inches the front and maybe 1 inch the rear. it sags low already
 
Haha, Inorite? After much deliberation, 98T5 has decided to run widely available lowering springs and a conservative wheel size on his 240 and cut the front springs on his 9. :-P

Also, here's a picture of my old 940 sedan with 3/4 of a coil cut off in front to account for the rear sag. Might need to cut a touch more because wagons tend to sag more in back, maybe start at 1 full coil. Remember, you can always cut more, but you can't add it back on.

DSC02496_zps8ec352bd.jpg
 
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KISS

Grab some Gems, slap on some nice 205-55-16's in your favorite flavor...

<a href="http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=490&u=12797741" target="_blank" ><img src="http://i69.servimg.com/u/f69/12/79/77/41/a_gem_12.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosted by servimg.com" /></a>

Cut 2.5 turns on the front coils, 1.75 out back and call it a day.

Everything you do after that will be diminishing returns for the money spent.
 
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Dude, just take your springs out..it'll be sick.

I've never seen a 740 so low...

I did that to a 740, then I crushed it the next day!

True story bro!
 
Grab some Gems, slap on some nice 205-55-16's in your favorite flavor...

Cut 2.5 turns on the front coils, 1.75 out back and call it a day.

Everything you do after that will be diminishing returns for the money spent.

What did I just see? Ken advocating some kind of ride height modification that didn't include getting used to the taller rear because overload springs?
 
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