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Jul 15, 2010 17:49:32 GMT
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Hey all as most have now read I'm in possesion of a nice Ovlov 740. Photoshops have been completed and a plan hatched.. see my readers ride thread: retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=readersrides&thread=84530&page=1 Anyway first port of call will be to sort out a much needed drop.. now the way I see it I could chop the springs or buy some lowering springs.. Cut springs are fine but would like to firm up the slightly boat like handling too so uprated lower springs seem a wise move. Only thing is they only come in -40mm flavor Being huge and high I am thinking I need more like a 60+mm drop especially if I am to emulate the photoshops ;D As I understand it the 740 only has about 6" suspension of travel.. So what are my real options.. and which one is best? I could cut springs but they are still going to be too soft making the new lowness more of an issue cornering than it should be. I could cut some lowering springs a bit which could work I could get springs made up to my specs (not a lot more than buying a set of lowering springs) All are viable options but the fact its an estate.. with a tow bar.. means it will be loaded up fairly often.. guessing lowness and weight are poor partners so the ultimate option would be adjustable height suspension.. or coilovers. But being struts up front and seperate shock spring combo on the rear it cant be too easy can it? Especially as none (well sensibly priced ones) are availiable. So what should I do.. any thoughts I havn't considered any suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance ;D
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Last Edit: Jul 17, 2010 10:24:49 GMT by joethefish
Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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Jul 15, 2010 20:16:12 GMT
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Why don't you get some uprated stiffer shocks and then get some springs made up to your own specs? There is a guy who makes them really cheap, you tell him lb rate and height and he sorts it out - my mate has a 740 too and will be looking at lowering asap
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Jul 15, 2010 20:55:49 GMT
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There is a chap on V3M that has a 760 nicely lowered and another chap who makes them for volvos - 'classicswede' I think his name is - might be able to sort you out. this one is about the height of the p'chop these square lights would complete the look
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Jul 15, 2010 21:08:01 GMT
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those lights are ace but expen$ive!!
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purplevanman
Posted a lot
Way too orangey for crows
Posts: 3,830
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Jul 15, 2010 22:37:41 GMT
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I lowered Nelly by cutting a couple of coils, made a big difference and I did it in situ down at A52, easy job. Still miss that car
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Welder, fabricator, general resto work
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Cheers guys, Davey and Dave if you can get me any details of the people PM me cheers. Had considered uprated shocks too.. was just wondering if I should get some shorter ones if I am going to drop the car by a couple of inches?? Dave that silver one looks about spot on for the drop any more details on it? As for the US spec headlamps the search is indeed on but not going too well.. not at a price i can afford at least! Grunty yours looks well at that height.. knowing you you probably ran it well loaded any issues running a heavy load/towing with that sort of chop?
Oooo actually thinking about it does any one know if the Nivomat self levelling rear suspension will work on a lowered car..? Guessing not but that could be very useful if it does.
Joe
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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Hi Joe,
Glad to see you're getting stuck into my old you new car already ;D
Just for info, chopping springs will increase the spring rate anyway, so doing what Alan did and taking a few coils out not only lowers it but also firms things up as you go.
Food for thought.
Looking forward to seeing you later tonight/tomorrow. (fingers crossed with a boot full of loot ;D )
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Boot full of loot it will be.. got Lucy's work do tonight so will be tomorrow I imagine
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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Jul 16, 2010 10:26:16 GMT
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Airride .
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Jul 16, 2010 11:20:51 GMT
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Mmmmm now airride is something I had thought of.. and then got scared by my lack of knowledge/cash.. it would however probably be an ultimate solution.. low low when needed in the air when towing/lugging.. Anyone tell me more..?
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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Jul 16, 2010 13:06:34 GMT
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Just don't paint it in the dark when you've had a skinful, yeah? ;D
Surely a bit of choppy choppy is called for, even if only as a temporary solution until you decide whether to buy/make coilovers or uprated shocks and springs.. Good luck with it, I can't wait to see it fabloned up.
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...proper medallion man chest wig motoring.
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Jul 16, 2010 14:03:00 GMT
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Well obviouslyif it happens to come a little close to an angry grinder I wont moan.. like you said even as a temporary As for the fablon me neither just have to decide and do the outer colour first.. the photoshop colour is cool but probably hard to replicate.. I am wondering if the wood will work with a satin colour?? Oh and while we are on the subject of wood.. I'm still toying with doing actual wood.. I know fablon is tongue in cheek (in a good way) and cheap.. but actual wood could be equally cool!
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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Jul 17, 2010 10:24:24 GMT
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Ok research semi complete.. my options are thus: Chop springs (will probably be done anyway as a temp measure) More pernament solutions are: Lowering springs, will cost circa £200 and probably require some shorter/uprated shocks £450 and the front struts shortening to match.. £choppage and welding time. Also will need to add either sprin assistor thingys or airbag on the raer for load lugging duties. ££? Then there is air.. my interest has been peaked but am finding info hard to come by, I know its been discussed on here but am failing big time with the search. So I have found the common companys.. who don't do kits for volvos (not surprising!) and I had to take a seat when I saw the prices I'm thinking it must be do-able yourself.. purchasing stuff from cheapest sources etc for much much less than the money wanted by companys that don't even cater for the car. I wouldn't want any fancy bouncy antics either just the ability to pick ride height and roll.. or scrape So are there any air gurus on here who can advise/point me in right direction etc? Thanks in advance.. ;D
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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rodit
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,683
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Jul 17, 2010 22:04:22 GMT
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Have a look for the thread coop started on the lexus om main board and also try lowrider forums for serious air talk.
Hvae you considered monroe air shocks for low and towing duties?
Replaces your standard damper with one that can be pumped up from a standard compressor to firm up for towing, had them on 80's rods etc.
Still available i believe about £50 each.
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Low and slow
Why can't i tune it?
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Jul 17, 2010 23:34:24 GMT
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Oooo no hadn't considered the monroe shocks mainly as I didn't know it existed.. sounds like a very interesting prospect Cheers
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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namless
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 580
Club RR Member Number: 26
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Jul 17, 2010 23:39:23 GMT
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right joe... now here is the thing because the unit at the front is one complete piece i.e hub and strut none does off the shelf bags for it here in uk. what you will need to do is someone who can do air over shocks basically replace the front spring with a bag that goes over the shock. if your are making a trip to USA they are available there for volvo 9/7. as far as the rear is concerned its quite simple you can buy normal motor home air bags with a small compressor weld two mounting plates one on the top and one on the arm, bolt the bag on them and do away with the coil spring . now this will not be a show queen doing bunny hops but will serve the purpose of lowering the car once in a while and raising it. if need be a compressor tank can be installed for a quick raise. simples hope its helped
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Cool that sounds fairly simple.. only finding the bag from the states for the front being a bit of a pain... How do I know what bags I need are they all pretty much the same... do they go by spring size etc or is it simply a case of picking one that is rated to about right load and is small enough/big enough when collapsed/extended? Guessing shock upgrade is still on cards too anything I should know about picking shocks to go with bags? Gonna start pricing it up when I have all the info.. If the price isn't much more scary than the normal lowering route I posted earlier then I reckon I should do it.. just for the hell of it of course! Any more info appreciated..
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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Ads 19
Posted a lot
My old r19
Posts: 1,351
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Jul 18, 2010 15:50:37 GMT
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i'm pretty sure some v70 and late 760s came with self udjusting rear shocks. which would work qute well with cut springs should you go down that route, also i know some hearses come with airbags so maybe worth asking some of the banger boys. however this is all for the rear, and i think you will struggle to find bags for the front.
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Jul 18, 2010 16:16:33 GMT
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Cool cheers.. have discovered the rear self levelling shocks.. Nivomats and hugely expensive compared to others not been able to get a straight answe on whether they work with lower springs though (basically its a shock with a spring hidden inside as well) or if they will keep trying to force it to standard height. Have found what I think are the sort of bags needed for the front, slip over the struts same as the spring would. Just need to confirm how to pick what I need and do some pricing
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Daily: Spazda Mx5
'A52's Fastest steak eater 2010'
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namless
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 580
Club RR Member Number: 26
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Jul 18, 2010 19:23:52 GMT
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thats what i ment.. it replaces the spring on the front, as in bag over shock available from the mighty usa manufacturers. For the rear aftermarket people whine about their springs not working with cars with self -leveling suspension, tbh its not a great deal all you need to go is buy shocks that fit on regular volvos and replace the nivomat shocks (two bolts one at the top and one at the bottom). Its all in the shock nothing extra special structural under a self leveling volvo when compared to a regular volvo. As for the bags the measurement works; when the bag is inflated it should have the length of your actual spring under normal load (amount of lift), if you cant get some bags at that length then you can adapt by adjusting the length (increasing and decreasing) the top and bottom mounts. Getting the rear of the Volvo on air is the easiest bit. struggle is at the front. here is a link to some figures & prices from airride uk www.airride.co.uk/wo-files/Air%20Bag%20Specs%20n%20Prices-May2009.pdf
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