Joey double checked everything and installed the spindle. (Note: As we’re a ways off on buttoning up this build before she sees the road again, everything is only hand tightened and will be properly torqued to spec as we get closer to final installation).
F100 Builders Guide
QA1 1965-79 F-100 Front Suspension Install
By streettrucks
June 10, 2020
A1, the alphanumeric code for one of the industry’s top suspension, rod ends, spherical bearings and shock absorber companies, was founded in 1993 by Jim Jordan in Lakeville, Minnesota. Fast forward 27 years, and the company is still creating 100% American-made products for our American trucks out of Lakeville, although it has certainly grown quite a bit over the last almost three decades.
QA1 offers the most expansive line of bolt-on suspension components for your performance truck (or car), including control arms, K-members, anti-hop bars, K-member braces, Panhard bars, strut tower braces, sub-frame connectors, sway bars, toe links, torque and trailing arms, along with a variety of other products. QA1’s state-of-the-art fabrication facility is located right next door to HQ.
Here’s a good look at the engineering QA1 F-100 front suspension.
Ditch that outdated twin I-beam front suspension. Before you head to the junkyard to find a random “front-clip,” you definitely should consider this well-engineered example of a dialed-in IFS offering both performance and comfort that’s properly engineered to make your truck handle like a modern truck while giving you the ride height adjustability so you can dial in the perfect stance. This setup also makes motor swaps a breeze as QA1 has interchangeable engine mounts from FE, Windsor, Mod/Coyote and even LS (we all know one or two of those guys).
Some key points for this QA1 front setup:
3.75 inches narrower than a Crown Vic, so fitment of larger wheels and tires is not an issue
3- to 7-inch drop (3- to 5-inch with standard height style spindles, 5- to 7-inch with 2-inch drop spindles)
150-plus pounds lighter than stock suspension
Bolt-in tubular design for ease of installation and strength
Adjustable coilover shocks to set the ride height and ride quality
The pallet of QA1 goodness delivered to Evolutionary Rides and posted up next to Oscar the guinea pig. Although this is no experiment because we know exactly what kind of quality and performance we can expect to see when Oscar hits the road again!
Our stock rolling chassis was just begging for some upgrades!
Joey at Evolutionary Rides wasted no time and got to work removing the factory front suspension.
TIP: Before removing the factory suspension and cutting anything, we tacked in a couple braces to keep everything square.
There were a whole lot of rivets that needed to be cut. We also cut out and removed some old crossmembers and parts from the chassis to help clean everything up.
They braced Oscar’s bare frame and removed all of the suspension and extra crossmembers that wouldn’t be used. (Then we actually sent our chassis to be media blasted since it had seen quite a bit of weathering through the years.)
Next, they marked and drilled the new holes for the QA1 supplied lower crossmember to go into place.
The QA1 lower crossmember was installed following the provided guides and instruction manual. (Make sure to use the manual and contact tech support for any questions as the QA1 staff is full of seasoned veterans who are able to help with anything you may run into along the way.)
A notch is marked and cut out for the upper crossmember to go into place.
Next up, the upper crossmember and controls arms and coilovers were installed.
Joey double checked everything and installed the spindle. (Note: As we’re a ways off on buttoning up this build before she sees the road again, everything is only hand tightened and will be properly torqued to spec as we get closer to final installation).
Quite an improvement over that ol’ rusty and archaic twin I-beam setup, eh?
The QA1 tie rods and power rack were bolted up next.
The supplied front sway bar is installed and we get to stand back and take in this gorgeous IFS setup in all its glory from every angle.