how to soften ride for a 240

[wa5ngp]

I've got a 73 240 that I bought in 76 and have kept it all these years. Everything is pretty much stock except for the radiator, ignition, and ac compressor.

Problem is that the 240 is in better shape than I am. I've got a bad case of sciatica (low back pain). I'd really like to drive the 240 a lot more but as you might guess the rough ride is really hell on the sciatica.

I know it needs new shocks so I am hoping that I can find some shocks that would soften it up. Any recommendations? I drove a 280zx for years but its got such a bad case of nippon skin cancer that it would be hopeless to fix up altho I may do that even though it looks like the devil since its ride is so much smoother even with bad shocks.

I thought about the springs. Its a little hard to believe that these progressive racing springs that lower it would ride any smoother but I'll listen. I'm not too crazy about lowering. It seems like the rock hauling trucks are always dropping thier load around here which is not good for low clearance vehicles.

My first visit and post to the classiczcar forum here. It seems like a nice group of folks. But then Z car guys always are.

Tks

Don

[AChev]

Yea, I'd check out the eibach springs. I have never had them before, but the description here seems very appealing. Maybe an owner of them could chime in?

Eibach Progessives I posted the description from motorsport, although if I were you I would look else where for better prices. Each time I have dealt with motorsport they were nice and knowledgeable, although there prices tend to be high, especially with shocks

[71datsunZ]

you might want to check out a more supportive seat as well... that could help

[71ZZZZZ]

If you don't go for a lowering spring, and yours are still in good shape...KYB GR2s gas strut inserts might be a good replacement solution...have you had the sciatica checked out?

I'm in the process of some mechanical upgrades including Tokico non-adjustable gas struts/Eibach ProKit springs...won't be able to drive it for another week or so, but I can report my findings when I do...

(I rented a Buick Century for a work trip this past summer, it was like driving a Lazy Boy chair, complete detachment from the road...get the sciatica fixed so you can enjoy your Z...post a pic of your single owner ride )

[wa5ngp]

Ok, tks.

I do have better seats. Got them from Mitsubishi eclipse kind thing. They are made of total foam rubber and they are really good. Actually, much better than the Eclipse is/was.

On the sciatica. :dead: I could start my own forum. I've had lost track of the surgergies. Been going on for 10years so there's no hope there. The absolute best thing to drive is my Suburban that sits straight upright and provides great low back and back of thigh support. The ZX wasnt' great but it was tolerable.

Toyotas, have good seat materials but structurally they are awful. They have like a "V" setup in the seat that pinches you down. I can get by on that one by stuffing a pillow in there.

Besides the shocks I need to look at the rubber bushings. Its always gonna ride like a buckboard but if I fix the bushings here and there it will all add up. Obviusly, I'm not gonna be buying race car hard urethane stuff.

tks

Don

[Ron Carter]

I would look at all the suspension componants. 70 series tires with softer side walls, different spring rates, different swaybars (yes swaybars will make a significant difference). NOS Bushings and of course strut inserts, and new top hats for the struts.

I suspect the advantages of your ZX and Suburban are two fold. I wheelbase on the Suburban and weight of both vehicles. A larger and heavier car will absorb a significantly larger amount of bumping and bouncing around. Especially with a very compliant suspension.

My 500SL rides like a big boat, even though it is a smaller car. It is very heavy and has a soft suspension....

[larsz]

You might want to put airbags in it and there is a company in Arizona that makes them for the 240. It may soften the ride enough so you could drive the car more often & probably handle better too. I was thinking of going this route but it is also pricey , around $1,600 for all four . You could also just do the rears first for half the price then go to the fronts. Let us know if you decide to go this route with some feedback. Good luck with your back.

[Victor Laury]

70 series tires with softer side walls, different spring rates, different swaybars (yes swaybars will make a significant difference). NOS Bushings and of course strut inserts, and new top hats for the struts.

I think Ron gave you the best one so far - 14 inch wheels with tall arse tires Big ol 215/70/14's - 25.85 inches of comfort

[Oleh]

if the Z and ZX have the same front springs then look into buying some 2gen altima springs. OEM altima springs are soft and it should technically soften up your ride. Eibach(sp?) i heard will stiffen up the car quite a bit.

[Ron Carter]

I suspect that the Altima would have stiffer springs as it is a heavier car. Too soft a spring and it will effect how the struts work with them. I would suggest getting your springs tested and have a set wound (it's not that expensive) aproximately 10% to 20% below what you have now / factory settings. Again, and Victor and I mentioned this, tires will play a larger part to this equation. 14" 70 series tires will make a huge difference.

[Arne]

Yup, I spent over 20 years in the tire and suspension business, and the biggest ride improvement will be from tires - specifically nice soft 14" 70 series as noted. All the suspension tweaking you can do won't make as much difference as tires will.

[zguitar71]

I would stay away from performance shocks of any type. Get some Monroe's or Napa gold shocks, they should not have a harsh ride and last a long time and not be pricey. The 70 series tires are a good idea too. As far as springs, anything that is made to increase the performance of the car will give a harder ride. stay with what you have (stock) or replace them with new stock rate springs. It seems like the best thing for you to do is stay very basic and not go for any high performance suspension parts.