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How Two Install QA1’s Front & Rear Coilover Conversion Kits

QA1’s front and rear coilover conversion kits have been painstakingly designed to offer the best of both worlds of suspension ride height and track-proven handling prowess. If that wasn’t enough, these kits also offer plenty of adjustability to better harness and promote maximum performance for many individual suspension needs.

The single or double adjustable coilover shocks featured in the kits offer customizable valving to further meet the unique needs of your truck. The upper and lower control arms in the front kit are constructed from heavy-duty 12-gauge steel tubing, and have performance ball joints and low-friction polymer bushings for worry and maintenance-free performance.

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The geometry of the rear kit places the coilovers outside of the frame and closer to the wheel for better overall stability when hitting corners. The adjustable-length truck arms allow for setting of the exact wheelbase to meet your truck’s specs. When used in tandem, QA1s front and rear C10 coilover conversion packages create a real force to be reckoned with on the road.

To get this party stared, follow along as we take a trip to see Joel Rode of Hot Rod Specialties in Upland, California, to transform the driving and handling action of this old ’71 C10. Its old, nearly corroded suspension system was long overdue for a change, and the QA1 kits offered more than enough ammunition to get this truck back into full attack mode. The entire install is completely bolt-on, making it possible for a capable weekend mechanic to get the job done in their home garage, which is also a huge benefit.

For further information on QA1’s high-end offering for C10s and other pickup models, visit QA1.net.

QA1 Products
Here’s a glimpse of the QA1 products that will soon take residence underneath the C10. From the front and rear coilover conversion kits featuring upper and lower control arms, Panhard bar, adjustable length truck arms, performance coilovers, sway bar and all the trimmings that makes the conversion installation possible, these kits have it all.

Joel Rode of Hot Rod Specialties began ripping into this C10’s factory suspension system to make room for the QA1 components. The truck had been previously taken apart to make the job a little easier and, as you can see, the pile of parts that came off this pickup are in dire need of being thrown onto the scrap heap.
Next, the truck arms attachment bolts were unbolted, and Joel used an air chisel to remove the six rivets holding each factory truck arm bracket to the cross member. To make this portion of the install easier, the driveshaft was disconnected from the differential, and the cab was placed on a lift.
Once the factory brackets were removed, Joel bolted up QA1’s replacement truck arm brackets to the crossmember. These brackets can be bolted to the lower, center or upper set of holes depending on the inches of drop desired.
Moving forward on the rear of the truck, Joel prepped the frame to receive the QA1 step notch. The included cardboard template was secured into place, and the area to be cut was marked into the frame side.
A cutting wheel was used to follow the lines made on the frame and make the opening for the notch kit.
Next, Joel grabbed for the notch kit and secured it enough to line up and drill out the necessary bolt holes on the sides and underneath the frame rail.

Once the notch kit was installed on both sides of the frame, Joel then worked on securing the truck arm saddle brackets over the axle.
After the adjuster links for the QA1 truck arms were assembled and anti-seize was applied on the threads, they were then installed to the saddle bracket underneath the axle.
The trucks arms were addressed next, but before they were placed into position, the rod end threads were coated with a proper amount of anti-seize.
The distance between the truck arm mounting openings was then measured to ensure the correct length to fit within the mounting points on the appropriate brackets. Joel adjusted the rod end accordingly to the measurements he recorded.
With the proper length of each of the truck arms adjusted, they were then placed up front with the new brackets that were installed at the beginning of the installation process.
Once the truck arms were secured front and back, the adjuster links were then attached to the arms.
The included Panhard bar and brace bar were then installed in the appropriate height locations on the brackets according to the proper height of the truck’s arms and ride height desired.
With the shock mount brackets installed to the truck arm rotator box brackets, the assembled rear coilover housings could then be secured into position. These double adjustable coilovers can be set to many different high-travel spring rate options to attain the perfect ride quality. And just like the majority of the quality QA1 components, the shock mount position can be adjusted to lifted or lowered to meet the desired ride height.

As you can see through the bottom hole, enough room had been cleared out. The cut line was cleaned up with a grinder, and the QA1 upper control bracket was ready to be permanently secured.
Next, the front coilover assembly was able to be fed through the newly cut hole in the spring pocket and bolted to the newly installed control arm bracket.

The upper QA1 control arm was then installed to the bracket, and the lower control arm was also installed right after. Note: Lower control arm U-bolt holes on the cross member will need to be enlarged on ’72 and earlier C10 models to accept the supplied 9/16-inch U-bolts.
The lower shock bracket was then installed to the lower arm to allow for the bottom portion of the coilover to be secured.
To mount the front QA1 sway bar, Joel then installed the supplied bracket utilizing the factory mounting holes.

The sway bar was then hung, and all the included brackets and connection points were then tightened to spec.
To wrap up the front installation, the spindle and brake components were bolted back together.
The installation of all the QA1 components took the better part of the morning and into the afternoon, but the effort was well worth the results. There’s no comparison to the look and feel of the QA1 and crusty factory parts. The engineering of the high-end components spoke for themselves before the truck was even rolled out of the shop. Since installation, Joel has the truck driving and performing and handling better than it ever has before.
The QA1 front and rear coilover conversion kits, truck arm bracket and notch packages and coilover assemblies came complete with all hardware and accessories needed. We didn’t have to run to the hardware shop for parts, and the instructions were helpful and straightforward. The price of admission isn’t exactly on the “cheap” end, but these suspension components are definitely an investment that will last on the road and on the track.

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