1969 Dodge | PROJECT CORKSCREW

QA1’s Cool 1969 Dodge D100 Sweptline

Plucked from obscurity, Corkscrew lived out the first 50 years of its well-loved life as a work truck at a vineyard in Northern California. Powered by a 2-barrel 318 backed by a 3-speed automatic, the rig was a pretty ritzy unit in its heyday. You can tell by the factory power steering (five turns lock-to-lock with the twitch of a finger) and the hand-stripped green and gray accents that streak down the Sweptline’s iconic bedside.

In early 2021, the truck ventured north to trade its booze-barrel history for an exciting future at QA1. It didn’t take long for the crew to remove Corkscrew’s four-wheel, leaf-spring factory-installed suspension. They also threw out that loosey-goosey steering box along with the little 14-inch pizza cutters.

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1969 Dodge D100 So if it’s out with the old, what’s the new? We’re talking about QA1 here, so of course Corkscrew’s old-school setup was replaced with a true independent front suspension, complete with powered rack-and-pinion steering. Five lock-to-lock turns quickly became 2.5 twists of the wheel, which is perfect!

The front ride height was dropped by 6-inch courtesy of a tubular front suspension and double-adjustable QA1 coilovers. That trip down the ride-height elevator incorporated some much needed geometry updates, including additional caster for straight line stability and increased camber adjustability for sharper cornering characteristics. The adjustable shock valving also allows for a huge range of ride quality adjustments, helping the QA1 team dial in ideal street settings and quickly transform the truck into track mode with the twist of a few knobs.

To say these changes brought about a night-and-day difference is a massive understatement. The truck went from a straight-up hammer to a Swiss Army knife that’s at home in any setting. Either it’s snapping necks during casual cruises down main street or winning a run through the cones.

The QA1 team is excited to put the D100 through even more paces in the future. In the meantime, check out the install detailing the truck’s transformation from the first drive and teardown to the install process of the front coil-over conversion kit.

Corkscrew’s old-school setup will be replaced with a true independent front suspension, complete with powered rack-and-pinion steering.

The leaf-spring factory installed suspension is an antiquated way to take the shock out of the seat, but modern technology and engineering has made this gear garbage.

QA1 coilover on a 1969 Dodge D100 — To install the new QA1 coilover front suspension, a computer designed and cut bracket bolts to the factory frame rail and holds the coilover and control arms.

Next, the upper control arm and spindle can easily bolt on. Corkscrew is also receiving 13-inch Wilwood disc brakes with 6-piston calipers.

Powered rack-and-pinion steering on a ’69 Dodge D100? And it’s all bolt on? Yes please!

The decision is made to stick with a 20×10-inch Rocket Racing Attack wheel wrapped in 295-40-20 tires, which looks amazing on this ’69 Dodge D100 Sweptline.

Now the tough decision comes: Which wheels should we bolt on this distinct Dodge?

Before giving Corkscrew his first test drive, the QA1 crew threw him on an alignment rack to set the wheels straight.

The team at QA1 put together a great video series documenting the install of this truck. Scan the QR code to see the results!

PROJECT CORK SCREW SPECS

Engine

Stock 2 barrel 318

Transmission

3-speed automatic

SUSPENSION

Front suspension: QA1 Coilover conversion system with double-adjustable shocks
Rear suspension: Stock straight axle with the modified flip kit and double-adjustable QA1 shocks

Wheels