Zedyone_kenobi

Yup, got new rear vinyl for the parcel shelf, got the OEM seats completely redone(sold the miata seats), new convertible cover, new top, new door cards, polished the stainless door panels, and got new window cranks. Still have some work do to, but it looks awesome. Just need to figure out how to redo the dash. That will be after the Z suspension. Not sure how I ever thought I could afford to restore two of these things! I ran out when my youngest was sleeping today and removed the passenger rear strut. Well the story is not so good. I got it out without any issue, but it is much easier to push in and it only VERY slowly raises up until its about 2" shy of fully extended. I have to pull it to get it finish the return stroke. Meaning, that the driver was probably healthy and the passenger was NOT. So this means, I am back to new HP tokicos blues unless you guys can talk me into something else

I actually checked the ends and they are all painted with same extra thick rubbery paint as the rest of the spring Well I ordered new hardware, 4 new top hats and 4 new eibach springs. They will be here in a week. So nothing left to do but start pulling springs!! The roadster is what started me on this. It actually has damping and suspension movement when it goes up and over bumps, the Z feels like the suspension cannot move an inch upward at all. Like I am riding the bump stops all the time. So even though the struts appear to be fine, I will check each one the best I can when the spring is removed.

Oh definitely, OSHA white safety socks! HAHA I will never ever stop working on the Z's guy! I am concerned with the Eibachs as I hear they make the but droop too much. Is that an older problem? I really think the HP tokicos are fine now that I read more about them. IT takes quite a bit of effort to push them in and they rise instantly by slowly. So it would see I have a choice now. Which springs to try. Eibach's or tokicos. IF mine have been cut that would explain the harshness. I cannot even push down on any corner of the car. It does NOT MOVE. I think I would dent the sheet metal before the spring compressed. I may have to do a search to see what the free length of tokicos are to verify if mine have in fact have been cut! I would have never suspected that!

Well today I got back into the Z after almost a year of playing solely with the roadster. Man it was nice to show some love her way. Well my first hour of work went swimmingly I got to here rather quickly. I managed to get all of the parts off rather easily. My lower control arm pin, looked brand new so I think at some time it was replaced, so I did not mess with it. I will save that mamma jamma for later Well anyway, I have been thinking my struts were kaput for a while as they are at least 18 years old according to the receipt from the PO. Here is what pulled out. And it came off without any fuss at all. I think the gland nut is stuck to the strut though. haha. Sorry for the grainy iPhone pics, I did not have my camera. Now, I can push the strut in with my hand almost all the way to bottom and it slowly rises back up. you can hear the fluid squish as it rises back. So I think that means it is doing it's job. I have nothing to compare it to. The reason i am doing all of this is I want a bit more ride height and some actual bump damping. Was thinking of getting some eibach springs, but not sure if they give a better ride or not. Those are the tokiko springs and struts as you can see. Was thinking maybe going with the eibachs as I mentioned, and just getting some new tokikos, but not sure if that will give me more ride height. Any suggestions?

Love the Dino quite a lot, but anything that says Ferrari and 250 on it, sign me up NOW.

I would be down for a set of euro springs for sure.

You have to look under nissan, silly me I was looking under Datsun

When I searchd shox, they only had shocks for the 280ZX, not the 240Z.. let me check again.

I am looking for more ground clearance as well. I really want to get my car off the ground. I do not want OEM, I do not think, but maybe I something just a bit lower. The tokiko springs really put the car on the ground. My exhaust at times pays the price. I would really like maybe 3/4" more ground clearance to help with suspension travel, getting on ramps, etc. The car's primary purpose is to be a taken to vintage rally events. I need more suspension travel to do that with some comfort. I think A set of Eibach springs and tokiko HP's will probably be the ticket.

Me neither, I am going to something I rarely do.. I am going to be patient. I think I will drive the Z all winter (since it has a heater), and start a big roadster project since a convertible in 30 degree weather is less than enjoyable at times.

thanks John, guess the first step would be to see which works for a mildly lowered suspension, and which are currently available. I guess I should start with Motorsportsauto. the KYB and Koni have me interested. If I knew where to get bilstiens, I would seriously get those for my S30. Bilstien makes some fantanstic dampers.

This is truely disheartening. I just cannot fathom that with all the 240Z's out there, their are no suspension kits for them. I am have become finicky about my suspension lately. The 68 Roadster I have has wonderful bounce and rebound damping, and runs KYB gas shocks. I can still buy them. I am just boggled that a car like the roadster is still supported while the Z has no shocks out there... I would hate to tear the car apart and then be left waiting for parts to show up that may not be made to work together. Who knew putting a suspension on a car could be so difficult.

man I like dealing with Futofab. I will certainly give them my business. I would like a bit more ride height while I am at it. Was thinking of going to the eibach springs vs the Tokiko springs I currently run. So you are saying the strut for the 240Z is identical for the front or rear, but the only thing that changes is the spacer and gland nut. Very interesting. Make sense since the tubes are of different length.

I am getting ready to put the Z up on stands and totally refresh the suspension. I would like more ground clearance and a bit of actual suspension travel. I currently have 17 year old Tokico HP's that seem to be shot, and a set of progressive tokico springs. My plans are to make the switch to Tokico HP struts again Eibach springs (based on Diseazd reviews) New OEM nissan strut tops to replace my 43 year old ones. Troubling to hear people are not finding tokicos available any more. Is this still true. I will call motorsports day after christmas to see. I would like a combo that gives me about an inch more ground clearance.

mr clean magic eraser!? Never heard of that one before....

Just want to say great conversation guys! Well done

It is the front lower valance on a stock Z that you have to worry about IF the car is lowered. ON stock springs you would probably be okay. I had to run 205/55/15's. OR 195/60/15's. 205/60/15s rubbed when I turned and backed out. Just keep it a bit conservative and you will be fine.

See, you guys are on the same page (Not going down the income inequality road) Its good and it is bad. I think grannyknot has the right idea. A great car will go up in value. NO doubt. I do not really know when and if this trend will catch on or if it will eventually hit our Z's. But it seems rarity still commands a high price. Like it always did. Just did not know it would rise up so high!

Looking at my hagerty magazine this morning, I saw some auction results from Monterey. The classic car market is turning into a full fledged commodity. Which I do not like really. These are cars to be enjoyed, not traded like a barrel of oil or Apple stock. Back on topic... The prices were enlighteneing: A 1995 911 turbo sold for 190k bucks, so the 911 bubble has not popped yet. Closure to our hearts the japanese market has picked up serious steam. A Honda S600 went for 44280 bucks A 1972 2000 GTR skyline brought a staggering 242,000 dollars And finally, A 67 mazda cosmo sold for a whopping 264,000 dollars. These are incredible numbers. Not too long ago we were seeing 2000 skylines going for 25-30k. Cosmos I saw for less than 20 as well. With more and more ferrari's and Porsches approaching record numbers, I think the speculators have turned to japanese metal for a quick buck. I have mixed feelings about auctions... they do not really represent the real world, however, they do influence prices as they set high water marks and as you all know, a rising tide raises all ships or something like that. So if I am a rich investor, with a couple of million to play with, and I see japanese cars as market that is up and coming (which it is) and I want to kick start it. Can I create PERCIEVED value by getting a known collector to buy at an absurdly high price at a high profile auction. If the auction companies (who get filthy rich over these auctions) decide that this will be the start of the Japanese invasion, they can grab a bunch of rare or semi rare japanese cars and assign expected value at whatever they want and CREATE a value profile. Those who dont know will just assume the values of skylines and Cosmos, and 240Z's and subaru 360's that are in the RM, or Mecum, or Gooding Catalog scattered about Ferraris, and Corvettes, and Bugattis are legit, as if those companies say they are worth it, they must be. Collectors will think that the auction companies know something they do not. I mean they got the money for these cars so the demand was there. I just wonder if the demand is real or if it being created. Am I just rambling, or does this make any sense.

Bravo man! I have been thinking of doing this mod (blower) myself one day. Probably when I try to redo the dash..... so many projects. But great work and VERY clear pics...this should be a sticky.

I am so jealous right now!!!!

well that is certainly true, but I have never liked buying junk. I would do without and save my money if I wanted something better, rather than settle for less quality. Now I take things to an illogical extreme. I would disagree to some degree. I still think the old saying, "you get what you pay for" is still MOSTLY true. You are not garanteed quality by paying more, but the likelihood is far greater you will get quality when you pay more than if you do not. It all comes down to what is good, and what is good enough. That varies for every person.

100% this! they are just being good little capitolists. If we choose to buy the Great Neck ratchet instead of the Matco, or Snapon, hell, it is not anybody else's fault. I am at a stage in my life where I am very happy to pay for a tool, TV, or whatever of quality. Why buy a taurus when you can buy a Smith & Wesson Why buy a Great Neck, when you can buy a Snap on Why buy coby when you can buy Sony. I demand quality now, and I have no issues paying for it. I think as you get older you are willing to pay more for two things. Quality and Service.

I can say that the LSD under normal driving is completely un-noticeable. It is benign, quiet and easy to own. The added punch is welcome and when you do get frisky coming out of a corner, you can really feel the back end bite and go. It leaps forward. Other than that it is just just like an OEM diff. I never launch my car like I was drag racing, but I have no doubt it could take the abuse. MY L28 can really put the power down through the 205's. The car may be more fun with the 195's I have in storage. But she is definitely sure footed. I made one mistake in my installation, I installed the RT mount for the rear end. But I trimmed the bump stop too short. So if I really get abusive with the transmission I get a thump. Other than that it has been flawless. A wonderful mod that has added a GREAT deal of enjoyment to my car. IN fact so much, I was able to shock a guy in his fancy FRS with what an old Z could do.. haha.

Thanks gents, I am humbled by your knowledge and witt, as usual. I will give it a go and perform all the tests mentioned this friday. I will include some pics. If I recall, I think the replacement cap from MSA did not look exactly like my OEM, I may be remembering that wrong. I have been cleaning so many roadster parts lately my poor Z is feeling neglected. She needs a drive.