Potential new owner. Phoenix , Az. Ride height questions ?

[Phillip-Az]

Hi group.
Just left my local Ineos dealership. I am very interested in a 2026 wagon. I have short legs and fat dogs. The only way this will work for us is to lower ( hopefully 3 inches or more).
Dealer has offered to install shorter factory springs. Should lower 1- 1 1/2 inches.
Has anyone ever put 16 inch wheels on a wagon ?
This would never go off-road or tow anything. Grocery getter .
Any help with wheel advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you ,
Phillip

 

[Krabby]

There are a whole host of steps on the market to assist with entry and exit. If you really require a lower ride height there may be other vehicles on the market better suited to your needs. As much of a proponent of the Grenadier that I am, it would not be my choice for the use case you anticipate.

 

[Eric]

Hi group.
Just left my local Ineos dealership. I am very interested in a 2026 wagon. I have short legs and fat dogs. The only way this will work for us is to lower ( hopefully 3 inches or more).
Dealer has offered to install shorter factory springs. Should lower 1- 1 1/2 inches.
Has anyone ever put 16 inch wheels on a wagon
This would never go off-road or tow anything. Grocery getter .
Any help with wheel advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you ,
Phillip

It's to high, you will never go off road and you will never tow. So why do you want it ??

 

[Max]

If you like the look of the truck and that is why you want it, dropping it will change the proportions and it will look wrong. Photoshop it. Sixteen inch rims don't work because of the brake's setup.
Side steps and a ramp for the dogs would work.

 

[Krabby]

@Phillip-Az

I imagine lots of folks will raise similar questions. Besides the the way the IG looks, what else has drawn you to the vehicle?

 

[HeavyFoot]

You’d be the only one not concerned with the front driveshaft
So, quick question for all you experts - wouldn’t this need a shortened drive shaft as well?

 

[Phillip-Az]

@Phillip-Az

I imagine lots of folks will raise similar questions. Besides the the way the IG looks, what else has drawn you to the vehicle?

The BMW engine is the main selling point. This will likely be my last new vehicle. I haven’t seen any large vehicle built like it
Every other truck on the market has mind numbing recalls.
Buy once , cry once.
I don’t care what it looks like.
I was hoping for suggestions for a wheel that will work.
Everything else is noise.
Thank you ,
Phillip

 

[Max]

You’d be the only one not concerned with the front driveshaft
So, quick question for all you experts - wouldn’t this need a shortened drive shaft as well?

I believe there would be enough travel/play for when the vehicle bottoms out on the standard suspension

 

[Krabby]

The BMW engine is the main selling point. This will likely be my last new vehicle. I haven’t seen any large vehicle built like it
Every other truck on the market has mind numbing recalls.
Buy once , cry once.
I don’t care what it looks like.
I was hoping for suggestions for a wheel that will work.
Everything else is noise.
Thank you ,
Phillip

I believe someone shoehorned some 16s somewhere but the brakes really need 17s.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Hi group.
Just left my local Ineos dealership. I am very interested in a 2026 wagon. I have short legs and fat dogs. The only way this will work for us is to lower ( hopefully 3 inches or more).
Dealer has offered to install shorter factory springs. Should lower 1- 1 1/2 inches.
Has anyone ever put 16 inch wheels on a wagon ?
This would never go off-road or tow anything. Grocery getter .
Any help with wheel advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you ,
Phillip

My recommendation is to get side entry steps. There are some good options. Rock Slide Engineering makes retractable ones you can get from Owl, but there are several good options. That will help the humans. I would use a ramp for the dogs into the back. I wouldn’t drop it. Just my 2¢

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

As said above, 16" rims are out, won't fit the brakes.
I have the electric side steps and they are great, I am sure your dealer can make this happen.
If your dogs legs are that short, they will need ramp on any 4x4.
My Grenadier is wonderful. Fun, reliable, a real head turner.

 

[Shopkeep]

I believe someone shoehorned some 16s somewhere but the brakes really need 17s.

The is an owner in Japan that runs 16” steel Sprinter wheels without any brake issues.
https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/death-wobble.12419983/post-1333364332

 

[Phillip-Az]

Thank you for the replies. Ineos advised not to do 16 inch wheels or lower it.
My dealer has found me a base , green , tow package. On a boat headed this way. Any idea of shipping time from France to US port ? Port to Phoenix , Az ?
I will do the owl steps and some type of ramp.

 

[Tom109]

Thank you for the replies. Ineos advised not to do 16 inch wheels or lower it.
My dealer has found me a base , green , tow package. On a boat headed this way. Any idea of shipping time from France to US port ? Port to Phoenix , Az ?
I will do the owl steps and some type of ramp.

Soun ds like a solid plan. If you do not plan to drive off-road there are some really good step options available.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

As said above, 16" rims are out, won't fit the brakes.
I have the electric side steps and they are great, I am sure your dealer can make this happen.
If your dogs legs are that short, they will need ramp on any 4x4.
My Grenadier is wonderful. Fun, reliable, a real head turner.
View attachment 7921430

Since you’ve got these unstalled, @Brad@SuperiorCO, question - have you ever had problems with ice blocking the steps from opening? Can you disable them if you don’t want them to open? (Say you’re straddling a boulder and need to get out to take a look)

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

Since you’ve got these unstalled, @Brad@SuperiorCO, question - have you ever had problems with ice blocking the steps from opening? Can you disable them if you don’t want them to open? (Say you’re straddling a boulder and need to get out to take a look)

Electric steps
- my steps, and I think all of these steps, have a Chinese control module that doesn't have control. So they always actuate. Your concern is my concern, I have considered wiring to INT1 for this purpose. But I have not had a problem. (yet?)
- No snow, ice, slush problems, and they do pick up the crappy ice, 6" of it. The steps continue to work fine.
- In sand, gravel when the steps have scraped the gravel, they have picked up tiny rocks in the hinges that need to be cycled out, or picked out. They never caused and issue, but the hinge is not self clearing,
- Despite 3 x Moab, Fin-n-Things, 7-Mile, Rockies Bill Moore Lake, etc, with some big break overs and steps, the steps tuck high and tight and I have yet to dent them. IBut they are aluminum, some day I will.
- Me being short, they are great for day to day entry and exit.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Electric steps
- my steps, and I think all of these steps, have a Chinese control module that doesn't have control. So they always actuate. Your concern is my concern, I have considered wiring to INT1 for this purpose. But I have not had a problem. (yet?)
- No snow, ice, slush problems, and they do pick up the crappy ice, 6" of it. The steps continue to work fine.
- In sand, gravel when the steps have scraped the gravel, they have picked up tiny rocks in the hinges that need to be cycled out, or picked out. They never caused and issue, but the hinge is not self clearing,
- Despite 3 x Moab, Fin-n-Things, 7-Mile, Rockies Bill Moore Lake, etc, with some big break overs and steps, the steps tuck high and tight and I have yet to dent them. IBut they are aluminum, some day I will.
- Me being short, they are great for day to day entry and exit.

Great feedback. Are those the Rock Slide Engineering ones from Owl or something different? I still have the OEM side runners (I have a little one and she needs the step, but was curious how these ones work and whether they can be disabled, and how they work with ice.

 

[Tenac]

buy something else lol

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

Great feedback. Are those the Rock Slide Engineering ones from Owl or something different? I still have the OEM side runners (I have a little one and she needs the step, but was curious how these ones work and whether they can be disabled, and how they work with ice.

Purchased from Expedition HQ in AUS 18 months ago
History
- Ex HQ developed the first steps and they were the only ones available at the time. I purchased before tariffs etc.
- Since, they have been copied in China and are available thru several channels. And the copies are just as good as the original, and maybe ½ the price.
- I prefer to buy from the folks who develop the product, but that isn't always practical, such as this case.

The Slide Engineering are bombproof and a true rock rail. I like mine, the step is wider. Someday I will dent the rail and need to replace it.