Hello all. I just purchased a 1974 260z, all stock. Almost, Now I need advice. The previous owner put a mid 80`s 280z rear end in it. Shocks and springs and all, and now it rides like one of those poorly put together muscle cars. You know the ones with the big bad jacked up rear end. I want it to ride lower. I dont want a low riding g car or anything, I wouldn't mind taking it back to stock height or maybe a little lower for the auto cross. Is there anyone out there with suggestions? Can I put the stock springs back under it or am I forever doomed because of the 280z rear?

 

go get some aftermarket shocks and springs for the 260. illuminas are great if u plan to autocross. and u can get some springs. depending on your budget. the zx weighed alot more then the z's so i bet your ridding high. do u have pics? im curious how it looks. bc if i recall the sleeve on the 240s and early 260s had a small diameter unlike the late 260 and 280s. spring wise they where all different.

 

I`ll get some pics tomorrow if I remeber to charge my camera tonight. Do you have a link for those shocks and springs? Also do you think I could get away with just cutting the springs down till I can afford the new shocks and springs?

 

Use the search feature at the top, you'll find more than you need. Try MSA auto and Black Dragon.

 

Cutting springs = BAAAAD

 

or go with no springs and ride on the bump stops of the shocks and struts.

 

You are confused new guy! The 280z was only made untill '78. The 280zx was '79-'83. The 280zx rear suspension was a swing arm type rather than the Mcpherson strut of the early cars like you have so there is no way all that is in your car. The coil springs of the '80s car are bigger around so they won't fit either. You might have a '78 rear end and suspension. The late rear coils had a spacer on top that you can remove to lower the rear about 1". Best to show us pics to be sure. You can get the correct springs from a junk yard for now. I can tell you how to get them out real easy.

 

This first is of the side, the ride height. Sorry its kinda messy in the garage as I have a Toyota pickup awaiting reassembly.

 

hmmm... stock looking springs, rear end pic is to small to tell but it could be a R200 so it looks like a 280Z (late/mid 70's) rear end assembly.

 

Yeah they are stock off a 280 which has me riding *** in the air. Could I get away with cutting them till I get a set of tokico`s?

 

DONT CUT THE SPRINGS....go ahead and spend the couple bucks and get some good springs and struts.

 

If I get the stock 260z springs and shocks how hard are they gonna be to change?

 

u will need to either buy or rent spring compressor. (u can get from autozone for 40 bux) u will need to compress the spring b4 u attempt to take the spring out. if u go get a Haynes manual at autozone it will give you detail on HOW TO. u should be able to do it any a couple hrs.
http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/ read that

 

ok I`ll read it and buy a manual. I`ll keep you guys posted, and try to update pictures as I go. This is my first ground up resto on an import. Done a 76 camaro and a 69 caprice. Thanks for all your advice.

 

I checked my 280 stock springs and my 240 with Tokicos and they are at least 2" shorter. You will need to get the correct insolator mount for your car no matter what. They are $63 bucks each so get them from the junk yard. You might as well get the springs there too.

 

wellm, thats cause they made the 280Z actually rider higher than the 240/260. you can swap the springs i believe actually to lower the 280z. its wierd. but yeah 280's sat higher. and to rent the compressor its 40bucks but if you return them you get ur money back

 

I have found a local company that can make me coil springs for the rear. Problem Is I need to know what came stock in these. Height, tension load capacity, everything related to those springs. Anyone help me out?

 

Well folks, Found some stock 260 suspension parts and set about changing them today. Droped the a-arms and everything went without to much fuss. Except the previous owner drove 1/2 lug nuts onto a 12mm lug stud and I may have broke 3 of em on one side. The other side was just fine. Got the parts to fix it on order. I`ll get some pics up soon as Its about to go back together,