thadword

I have a '92 ls 400 and i'll be upgrading from my stock 15 inch wheels to chrome 18inch wheels (from the ls 430). My tire size will be 245/45/18s. I plan on lowering my car an inch with h & r springs to close the gap in the wheel well. Will that inch be enough to close the gap and keep that lexus ride? Also, it's time to replace my rear struts. Any recommendations on what to go with in order to keep the ride and flow with the h & r springs?

L_Sport

Homie, there are many threads started already regarding wheel fitment and suspension. Do some research first, you just may find the answers or advice your looking for because you are not the first to ask. However I have a 1990 and I have already purchased the Tanable 1.8 / 1.3 drop. I wanna sit lower then just 1" that's just me...

208Soarer

I have a 94 LS that is currently dropped on Tanabe Springs. It rides fantastic!! I also run 19X9.5 Lowenharts on it. No rub at all, now if I had 10.5 in the rears that may cause a problem.

Chilkoot

you won't have the same ride with 18" wheels that you had with the stock 15"ers, no.

you won't have the same stock feel with aftermarket springs, no, especially considering your current spirngs are 15+ years old.

if you want "that lexus ride" go with OEM struts and springs, for sure, with stock size wheels. IMO the LS would feel great with a more aggressive stance, but you'd have to ask the people that have already taken the plunge. My personal preference and goal would be H&Rs with KYB GR-2 shocks all around, 18" wheels, but it would be a little stiffer than stock.

Every step you go in one direction is a step farther than the other. How do you want it to feel?

Nano-V8

yeah i have tanabes w/ kybs and i looove it and i still want to go lower than tanabes. i would not b happy with just a 1 inch drop. and i personally think tanabes r still a bit stiffer than stock. ive had to LS's and on both went from stock to tanabes with kybs and it always feels a bit stiffer. nvr quite as soft as stock. but im sure not quite as h&r either, i think u'll b really happy with tanabes. its gonna suck if u get the h&rs and ur not happy kus its not low enough.

RocKrawler

I thought about going the same route originally, but with my worn out coils & struts the car dropped 2.5" in back when the kids got in (both my kids are adult sized) so I knew that 1-2" would not be enough to take out the gap with the new 19's I am running.

thadword

Are those the NF210s?

L_Sport

I think everyone is talking about these... click here for link
Lowering: Excellent
Comfort: Very Good
Performance: Good

Spring Rates:
- 6.3kg/mm Front, 3.0kg/mm Rear
Lowering/Drop:
- 1.8" Front, 1.3" Rear

To go lower then that you will need coil overs. JIC or Megans

RocKrawler

Here is the stance with Megans, can go hiigher or lower than this, and thats the beauty of coilovers - if you put them in and dont like what you got, you can change it with a relatively simple adjustment. Put in dropped coild and you get what you get, and if you dont like it start cutting, and hope you dont cut too much. I've also heard from everyone that coils arent designed to work with stock struts, so factor those in and you're just about the price of Megans. I got mine for $899 to my door from Underground Motorspotrs in TN, free shipping in the lower 48 states, cant beat that!

L_Sport

RK, you are sittin CLEAN!!! Props my friend. You got me thinking, I got a good deal on DF210's but haven't gotten the shocks and struts yet. Your right I'm like 600 in parts, 899 doesn't seem to far off. I may just slang my DF210's and spring for the Megan coil-overs. How much was install??? The deciding factor for me would be RID QUALITY. I am not trying to ride rough, please keep us posted on that. As for the Tanabe's I have heard they ride very smooth almost like stock.

thadword

Thanks fellas

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

ride quality depends heavily on the shock selection....
for 1st gens the only options are Tokico or the softer KYB. if you want comfort, KYB is the way to go but be aware that the Tanabe drop WILL lower their life span since it is rather severe...

with the megans, it depends on what initial spring rate you choose, iirc it is rather stiff using the noncustomized spring rates.

RocKrawler

I'd disagree with that statement, I have the stock springs and think it rides rather well...

L sport, when I get the fenderwell plastics trimmed I'll soften it up & you are welcome to drive it so you know how it rides - that way you dont have to blow $899 guessing it might be what you want.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

compared to factory it is MUCH stiffer, as is any setupi that lowers the car...and it is from Megan stiffer than the Tein CS Spring rate wise...

this isnt an opinion, the spring rates are higher for megan than they are for the Teins but you dont have a choice since the Teins arent made for 1LS.