Bagged C10s: QA-1 Shocks?

[502ms]

Hey guys! I'm looking at upgrading the damping on my C10. I've already driven on it for close to 15k miles. Now I want to take it up a notch. Occasional track use (LS Fest Autocross), maybe to drag strip before and after the twins are installed. But overall, just fun driving. Spirited driving. Cruising.

Anyone use the QA-1 shocks? My truck is bagged. Staying bagged. Want to explore these shocks for adjustability and toss ability. If not QA-1, what do you use? No-Limit? KYB?

I have Z'd front, custom 4-link rear. Outboard trailing arms. Lays frame. Nearly stock height at full lift. Nice low ride height.

Thanks!

[oldman3]

I have QA-1 coil over single adj. shocks on my 50 pickup, really like them, much better that the old coils over set up before. This is for the front only, have leafs in the rear and haven't changed those yet...Jim

[slowcpe]

Interested in this thread as well. I have the KYBs that come with the Porterbuilt kit but thinking about swapping them out with the Ridetech HQ shocks. They are adjustable and come with great reviews.

[Rochlow]

I've been thinking of upgrading from the kyb shocks to the Ridetech hq shocks, also.

[SCOTI]

Ride Tech is the number 1 company for shock 'tunability' w/air suspensions. Check w/Chris @ Smittys!

[502ms]

Thank you everyone!

[smashingchuck]

I'm a big fan of the QA1's I installed on my car. The adjustability is sooo nice and I'm surprised how much the adjustments change ride characteristics.

[Hart_Rod]

Has anyone used the QA1's on a static dropped truck?

[502ms]

Hart_Rod,

http://instagram.com/p/ulLRx_oDwq/

I imagine they'd be awesome. Dialed the rears in at 6 clicks and drove 40 miles. Wow! Gotta play with fronts tomorrow. Bought the DS502 and RS502. They are car porn.

[502ms]

Smashingchuck I totally agree. Amazing.

[Custom 68]

I have them on my static truck. I have Qa1 coilovers on the front and regular spring/qa1 rear. They are only 1 way adjustable but I like them I usually don't mess much with them but I softened them for a road trip and got them too soft. I adjusted them and got a great ride. I can adjust as needed.
Thanks
Dave

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 502ms

Hart_Rod,

http://instagram.com/p/ulLRx_oDwq/

I imagine they'd be awesome. Dialed the rears in at 6 clicks and drove 40 miles. Wow! Gotta play with fronts tomorrow. Bought the DS502 and RS502. They are car porn.

Originally Posted by Custom 68

I have them on my static truck. I have Qa1 coilovers on the front and regular spring/qa1 rear. They are only 1 way adjustable but I like them I usually don't mess much with them but I softened them for a road trip and got them too soft. I adjusted them and got a great ride. I can adjust as needed.
Thanks
Dave

This might be a dumb question, but why would you use coil over shocks, when you have coil springs? I thought coilovers replaced the springs?

[Custom 68]

Sorry Rob I may not have been clear.
My front is converted to coil overs with Qa1. The rear uses the adjustable shocks but 4 inch drop "factory" style springs.

[oldman3]

I have the same set-up, switch stock springs for coil-overs with QA1 shocks, much better ride and you can adjust the shock for ride. Haven't changed the rear shocks yet, but it's on my to do list...Jim

[502ms]

I got all four installed. Still bag suspension and QA-1 RS402 up front, QA-1 DS502 out back. Night and day difference. I tried it with the fronts at 0... I changed them to 6 clicks each. Same for rear. Perfect!

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Custom 68

Sorry Rob I may not have been clear.
My front is converted to coil overs with Qa1. The rear uses the adjustable shocks but 4 inch drop "factory" style springs.

Originally Posted by 502ms

I got all four installed. Still bag suspension and QA-1 RS402 up front, QA-1 DS502 out back. Night and day difference. I tried it with the fronts at 0... I changed them to 6 clicks each. Same for rear. Perfect!

I still have coil springs front and rear of my 68 SWB and plan on keeping them. I'm currently running KYB "lowered" shocks, but would like something better that is tuneable. How did you guys determine which shocks you needed? DS or RS? Why single adjustable instead of double adjustable? Thanks for the help.

[Custom 68]

good or bad cost was the factor for me. I am sure the double would be better once you got it dialed in.

[blazer2007]

Is it a fairly easy job to put the coilovers in the front of a 78 ?

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by 502ms

I got all four installed. Still bag suspension and QA-1 RS402 up front, QA-1 DS502 out back. Night and day difference. I tried it with the fronts at 0... I changed them to 6 clicks each. Same for rear. Perfect!

What do you have for shock relocators up front? I think I want to run adjustable shocks too.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 502ms

I got all four installed. Still bag suspension and QA-1 RS402 up front, QA-1 DS502 out back. Night and day difference. I tried it with the fronts at 0... I changed them to 6 clicks each. Same for rear. Perfect!

Just for reference..... what shocks were you running? Age?

[502ms]

Originally Posted by knomadd

What do you have for shock relocators up front? I think I want to run adjustable shocks too.

I am using the stock locations for the front, CPP upper & lower control arms.

[502ms]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Just for reference..... what shocks were you running? Age?

Great question - I tried different shocks over the last few years. Was using the Rancho 7000s. They were comfortable, but I wanted a more aggressive feel and bite to go with the new power that I have. What I like about these is they can be clicked from drag racing settings to a comfortable setting to a very aggressive setting. (18 way adjustable). These shocks were only a year old.

[502ms]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

I still have coil springs front and rear of my 68 SWB and plan on keeping them. I'm currently running KYB "lowered" shocks, but would like something better that is tuneable. How did you guys determine which shocks you needed? DS or RS? Why single adjustable instead of double adjustable? Thanks for the help.

I went with:
(1) what was available and in stock - I hate driving to Summit to buy something and have to wait any time for it #instantgratificationrequired.
(2) what was adjustable, worked with my ride height, laid out height and has the proper compression and rebound at ride height. My DS and RS are both 18-way adjustable. The DS have the collars for the coilovers/spring setup. I assume the DS are coilovers and RS are just the slick shocks.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 502ms

I went with:
(1) what was available and in stock - I hate driving to Summit to buy something and have to wait any time for it #instantgratificationrequired.
(2) what was adjustable, worked with my ride height, laid out height and has the proper compression and rebound at ride height. My DS and RS are both 18-way adjustable. The DS have the collars for the coilovers/spring setup. I assume the DS are coilovers and RS are just the slick shocks.

Thanks for the info Leon. I'm trying to figure out how your shocks compare to these:

http://www.ridetech.com/store/shocks/

[502ms]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Thanks for the info Leon. I'm trying to figure out how your shocks compare to these:

http://www.ridetech.com/store/shocks/

My pleasure, buddy!
Here are the facts on QA-1 Street Star Shocks:
http://www.qa1.net/suspension/street...ks/street-star

Custom Mount Rebound Adjustable Smooth Body Shock Absorbers
QA1’s Street Star shock gives you that smooth ride and smooth look for your vehicle. With a comfortable compression setting and 18 valving options of rebound adjustment, you are sure to find your preferred suspension setting.

Bright Anodized Lightweight Aluminum Body
Rebound Adjustable with Comfortable Fixed Compression
Smooth Body
100% Dyno Test and Serialized
Revalveable and Rebuildable by the QA1 Factory or QA1 Authorized Service Centers
American Made
Precision Machined Aluminum Piston with PTFE Piston Band
5/8” Centerless Ground, Hard Chrome Plated, Solid Piston Rod
Three Step Sealing System
NEW! QA1 has expanded its offering of Street Star rebound adjustable shocks to include eyelet mounts on both ends of the shock in 7”, 8” and 9” shock lengths.