Need front suspension and tire help

[jhalley]

It 's time to put new shocks on the front. I have fairly new OEM's on the back.
The front end is higher than the back end of the car, and I want the front end to sit lower than the back. I only street drive and want to keep a good ride.
What do I need too get the look I'm looking for? The car is a 85' factory wide body w/ factory fuch's.
Also it's time for new rubber, I'm think of going w/ 215/50/zr16 frt, 245/50/zr16 in rear. Will this be the best fit for what I looking for. The car has 225/55/16 and 245/45/16 now, and the rear tires look too small compaired to the fronts.
Any info would be helpful.

Thanks.......

[richde]

For the proper tire sizing, go to tire rack, check out the specifications for the original size wheel/tire combo, and get the size corresponding to the same overall diameter.

Say....if you were looking for Kumho Ecsta MXs....
Original size for an '85 205/55VR16: 25.1" diameter
225/50/16 would be the proper size with an identical diameter, the diameter of the tires currently installed is 25.7". Not that much difference so it's probably the ride height making the fronts look bigger than they actually are. But it's still off. They don't carry 215 width for a 16" so you're on your own from here, but looking at other tires the 215/50 should be right in there.

[DaddyGlenn]

I think the factory ride height (US and Euro) had the rear sitting slightly lower than the front.

If I remember correctly, the factory tire sizes are:

205/55/16 Front
225/50/16 Rear

These work well on 16x6/7 and 16x7/8

[tonythetarga]

What wheel widths are on the car? The width of the wheel will determine what width of tire you can put on.
As far as ride height goes, put your car on level ground and measure the height from the ground to bottom of the fender lip. While this will not give you precise measurements, it will put you in the ballpark of a baseline. Also check the doorsill with a level to see if you are in fact sitting lower in the back. Your car actually looks just fine to me.
The rear fenders are cut lower than the fronts and the fronts will read about 1/2 inch higher than the rears when the car is set correctly. Euro height is roughly 25 rear, 25.5 front.
Lowering the front involves turning the adjuster screw at the cap for your front torsion bars and any adjustment there will affect your corner balance and wheel alignment, so that will need to be taken care of afterwards. Too much lowering in the front might affect your bump steer and may also raise the rear end a bit.
Do some measurements and post some numbers.

[jhalley]

Their are four sets: BFG G-Force KDW , Avon tech M500, BFG traction T/A, KUMBO Excta ASX in the 215/50-16/ 245/50-16 combo. I can get 205/45-16 / 245/45-16 in the Potenza RE 750 at my local shop. That would give me a wide and low look.

[jhalley]

Originally Posted by DaddyGlenn

I think the factory ride height (US and Euro) had the rear sitting slightly lower than the front.

If I remember correctly, the factory tire sizes are:

205/55/16 Front
225/50/16 Rear

These work well on 16x6/7 and 16x7/8

I polished to sell, but had no takers. I'm going to keep and drive know.

[tonythetarga]

Originally Posted by jhalley

Their are four sets: BFG G-Force KDW , Avon tech M500, BFG traction T/A, KUMBO Excta ASX in the 215/50-16/ 245/50-16 combo. I can get 205/45-16 / 245/45-16 in the Potenza RE 750 at my local shop. That would give me a wide and low look.

What are the wheel sizes not the tire sizes. The wheel width will dictate what rubber you can put on. Remember that you do not want to have a lot of cantilever of the rubber (overhang) over the wheel. It might look cool but is not safe for any aggressive driving.

[jhalley]

Originally Posted by tonythetarga

What wheel widths are on the car? The width of the wheel will determine what width of tire you can put on.
As far as ride height goes, put your car on level ground and measure the height from the ground to bottom of the fender lip. While this will not give you precise measurements, it will put you in the ballpark of a baseline. Also check the doorsill with a level to see if you are in fact sitting lower in the back. Your car actually looks just fine to me.
The rear fenders are cut lower than the fronts and the fronts will read about 1/2 inch higher than the rears when the car is set correctly. Euro height is roughly 25 rear, 25.5 front.
Lowering the front involves turning the adjuster screw at the cap for your front torsion bars and any adjustment there will affect your corner balance and wheel alignment, so that will need to be taken care of afterwards. Too much lowering in the front might affect your bump steer and may also raise the rear end a bit.
Do some measurements and post some numbers.

Thanks, Tony.......I'll leave the front as is and put struts on.

[jhalley]

Originally Posted by tonythetarga

What are the wheel sizes not the tire sizes. The wheel width will dictate what rubber you can put on. Remember that you do not want to have a lot of cantilever of the rubber (overhang) over the wheel. It might look cool but is not safe for any aggressive driving.

I know, the 225's the previous owner put on the front are too wide.

[partrin]

One more tidbit.....go too low & / or too wide and you'll have to roll those front fenders...the tires make a really nasty sound when they rub that inner fender lip.....usually on turning into an elevated driveway. Been there...