[copperhead110]

I'm wondering what the ground clearance should be for a 96 200 SX.
stock ride height <- added to help future searchers

I suspect that the front springs are sagging a bit.

This is a friend's car. She bought it new and it is unmodified.
I have a 99 Setra GXE.

My car sits like a 4x4 and hers appears lowered.

My floor jack hits the brace that is under the center of the engine on her car and her car sits too low to get it up on ramps.

With my sentra, the ramps and jack fit under the car with no problems at all.

How can I tell if her springs are ok?

Comparing her 200sx to my sentra seems like comparing apples to oranges. Should they be the same ride height or is the 200 sx lower and sportier from the factory?

I've been searching for awhile with no luck. Maybe I'll be back to answer my own question after searching some more.

 

[sfhellwig]

I cannot tell you for certain where it should sit but I can confirm that my 98 200sx is too low for my floor jack and ramps. I don't think my springs have any problems but to use my floor jack I have to drive up on 2x12s to get it under the subframe. As for the ramps, mine are super duty and none of my vehicles fit but especially not the nissan. That was was fixed with homemade extensions but the point is my 200 is low. I Don't remember the clearance for the front bumper, I'll try to check that tonight and maybe fender heights.

 

[copperhead110]

My sentra is actually a 98.

Based on your description, it seems that 200SX simply sits lower than a sentra.

thanks for the feedback. :cheers:

 

[Kindfiend]

My sentra is actually a 98.

Based on your description, it seems that 200SX simply sits lower than a sentra.

thanks for the feedback. :cheers:

Nope, they are the same car. I demonstrated this by nearly getting into a black Sentra ( I have a 200SX) yesterday... The chassis is the same though, if you put two more doors on my car it would be a sentra. They should be sitting at least close to the same height unless the previous owner put in aftermarket springs. Sorry, but I don't know about the ride height.

edit: I have no problems jacking up my car or putting it on ramps

 

[RotaryRyan]

i did'nt have any problems jacking up my car or using ramps before i lowered it either.

Maybe her springs are cut???

 

[sfhellwig]

I should have mentioned in my previous post that yes the 200 and sentra are the same chasis. I would like to suggest that it is a difference in our jacks except that mine is a pretty small jack. I think it's only 5 1/2 inches of clearance. I know my springs are stock because my girlfriend brought the car home new off the lot. I have made a note to take measurements over lunch. Would have done it last night but we're recovering from an ice storm.

Oh yeah, do you have the same wheel/tire package. You didn't say if the 200 is an SE-R. That could have a tiny effect. Otherwise make sure your tires are the same size. A slight change in tires can make a big difference.

 

[sfhellwig]

Got some measurements over lunch break. With the 98 bumper:
Front clearance is 7.5 in.
Ground to top of front wheel opening 25.25 in.
Ground to top of back wheel opening 25 in.
On the B14 the front wheel openings are known to be bigger.
Wheels are stock steel 14x5.5 with 175,65R14.
Hope this is of assistance.

 

[copperhead110]

I'm finally back.

For the 200SX, my jack has to be slid under the brace that is beneath the engine. Based on my Jacks cradle height of 5.5 inches, I would guess the brace beneath the engine is about 5 1/4 inches from the ground.


98 sentra's measurements.
With the 98 bumper:
Ground to underside of bumper: 15 11/16
Ground to top of front wheel opening 26.125 in.
Ground to top of back wheel opening 25.5 in.
On the B14 the front wheel openings are known to be bigger.
Tire Size 175,65R14.

Now I just need to take her car's measurements and compare.


Thanks for the info.

I'll try and post more info after I go to her house this weekend.


PS: I've tried to get into the wrong car before too. I spent a couple of minutes fiddling with the key in the door lock before I realized it wasn't my car. I didn't understand how my key had suddenly quit working.