Which one first, springs + shocks/struts or wheels & tires?

[nicksalvadore24]

Itching to spend some more dollars on car parts, thinking of scratching that itch soon. Ultimately I know I want to do springs + shocks/struts to lower the car slightly as well as wheels and tires to fill the wheel gap, and with that combo I'll have a nice crispy fitment. However, buying all at once is a bit too much for me to spend.

With that said, what are y'alls thoughts on what I should do first? Suspension or wheels & tires? FYI - I do not track the car, it's also not a daily driver since I live in the city. Just a fun street car. For specifics, I'm thinking of Steeda Pro-Actions (maybe adjustable, maybe not) with Steeda Ultralite springs. Steeda has the awesome option of buying it all assembled so I can install myself. And wheels I'm looking at SVE SP2s or Project 6GR Tens, probably 19x10 square, maybe 19x10 front 19x11 rear.

I feel like wheels first without lowering may really accentuate the factory wheel gap, but suspension first may look a little funky when the car is lowered and the wheels aren't flush with the fenders.

Tell me what to buy!

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[NightmareMoon]

Wheels (with aggressive offsets, like the SVE or PGR wheels) will reduce the visual wheel gap, plus the fact that tires are 85% of handling due to the fact they're the only thing that touches the road. Plus the suspension changes are full of tradeoffs...

I'd start with wheels and tires. If I could only do one of those I'd do wheels and tires.

 

[First Stang]

Wheels and tires first. You will have the largest selection since you are not yet limited by a lowered fitment and you can play with the size you want. You also get the best bang for the buck from the get go. Adjust your other mods to “fit” the wheel/tire to your taste e.g. 1” vs 0.5” lowering.

 

[Farkel]

We seem to have similar tastes in cars (see my sig). I think you're on the right track doing wheels and tires first. If you go 19x10 squared with 275/40 tires I think you'll be happy with the gap; 285/35 will have a larger gap. Mine has magneride, and I think that lowers it 1/2" or so compared to base suspension.
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...50-mustang-today.11109/page-3769#post-3809457

edit: fixed wheel size (d'oh!)

 

[nicksalvadore24]

We seem to have similar tastes in cars (see my sig). I think you're on the right track doing wheels and tires first. If you go 9x10 squared with 275/40 tires I think you'll be happy with the gap; 285/35 will have a larger gap. Mine has magneride, and I think that lowers it 1/2" or so compared to base suspension.
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...50-mustang-today.11109/page-3769#post-3809457

You've got good taste

 

[vinny89gt]

Wheels (with aggressive offsets, like the SVE or PGR wheels) will reduce the visual wheel gap, plus the fact that tires are 85% of handling due to the fact they're the only thing that touches the road. Plus the suspension changes are full of tradeoffs...

I'd start with wheels and tires. If I could only do one of those I'd do wheels and tires.

I get what you're saying, but if you actually look at the tire combos that LMR offers, almost all of them are smaller in total diameter than OEM. So, these wheel/tire combos will actually increase that wheel gap, if only slightly.

 

[Farkel]

I get what you're saying, but if you actually look at the tire combos that LMR offers, almost all of them are smaller in total diameter than OEM. So, these wheel/tire combos will actually increase that wheel gap, if only slightly.

LMR for wheels, tire store for tires. 275/40 is the stock PP1 rear tire size, and has a larger diameter than the 255/40 stock fronts.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I get what you're saying, but if you actually look at the tire combos that LMR offers, almost all of them are smaller in total diameter than OEM. So, these wheel/tire combos will actually increase that wheel gap, if only slightly.

FWIW, in my experience running P6GR wheels with stock springs, the offset has a very large positive effect on the visuals.

 

[vinny89gt]

LMR for wheels, tire store for tires. 275/40 is the stock PP1 rear tire size, and has a larger diameter than the 255/40 stock fronts.

100%. Just do your research on the tire sizes so you can get back close to OEM diameter so you don't accentuate that gap. I just know that the Firestone Firehawks LMR offers in 325/30/19 for lots of their wheels are 1" smaller in diameter than stock 275/40/19.

 

[vinny89gt]

FWIW, in my experience running P6GR wheels with stock springs, the offset has a very large positive effect on the visuals.

Definitely. Getting those wheels closer to flush will certainly help.

 

[ArgentumS550]

Be aware that if you're going for the staggered option and are looking for a close diameter match to the 275/40/19 (which is 305/35/19), there is not a lot of choice and the good (I would say best) option, Michelin PSS, even mid-priced range, is still a bit of $$. But, it looks great and if you want to play, you have to pay!

This is a helpful tire size comparison site: https://tiresize.com/comparison/

 

[shogun32]

19x10 with 275/40 (or 285/35) - please dear god, do NOT buy Nitto tires
You can recycle the 275 Michelin PS4S you currently have, so just need to buy 2 tires.

IRS alignment dowels
a simple IRS lockout kit (eg. Whiteline inserts, or BMR CB005, or Steeda brace)
a *proper* alignment

Then come BlackFriday sales (or next year's tax refund) you can get a set of Bilsteins, FP *track* dampers, or the aforementioned Steeda non-adjustable Pro-Action with LINEAR springs.

 

[nicksalvadore24]

19x10 with 275/40 (or 285/35) - please dear god, do NOT buy Nitto tires
You can recycle the 275 Michelin PS4S you currently have, so just need to buy 2 tires.

IRS alignment dowels
a simple IRS lockout kit (eg. Whiteline inserts, or BMR CB005, or Steeda brace)
a *proper* alignment

Then come BlackFriday sales (or next year's tax refund) you can get a set of Bilsteins, FP *track* dampers, or the aforementioned Steeda non-adjustable Pro-Action with LINEAR springs.

Definitely not getting Nittos, I've seen your (and others) comments in other threads about them being crap

I am planning on on doing the Steeda IRS dowels whenever I do suspension since I'll already have to drop the subframe to get the rear springs in, a "while I'm in there" mod for sure. Then maybe I'll also do the IRS brace if I feel that I need it.

I like the way you think regarding the sales!

 

[nicksalvadore24]

Thank you all for the thoughts - looks like I'll be going wheels & tires first. Seems like the right call for the reasons mentioned here.

Now to decide between SVE SP2s and Project 6GR Tens....

The total package offered by LMR for the SP2s make it unbeatable on price really but I like the look of the Project 6GRs a lot better, more aggressive and look more concave

 

[FUN2RIDEFAST]

Itching to spend some more dollars on car parts, thinking of scratching that itch soon. Ultimately I know I want to do springs + shocks/struts to lower the car slightly as well as wheels and tires to fill the wheel gap, and with that combo I'll have a nice crispy fitment. However, buying all at once is a bit too much for me to spend.

With that said, what are y'alls thoughts on what I should do first? Suspension or wheels & tires? FYI - I do not track the car, it's also not a daily driver since I live in the city. Just a fun street car. For specifics, I'm thinking of Steeda Pro-Actions (maybe adjustable, maybe not) with Steeda Ultralite springs. Steeda has the awesome option of buying it all assembled so I can install myself. And wheels I'm looking at SVE SP2s or Project 6GR Tens, probably 19x10 square, maybe 19x10 front 19x11 rear.

I feel like wheels first without lowering may really accentuate the factory wheel gap, but suspension first may look a little funky when the car is lowered and the wheels aren't flush with the fenders.

Tell me what to buy!

Springs, shocks and struts. I used Ford Racing Track shocks and struts with Steeda linear springs. Love the setup. It's a big difference, in my opinion, over PP. Then you buy good tires first and then rims.

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