Tell me about QA1 shocks

[Guy G]

Hope all had a great holiday!

Hear many on here talking about QA1 shocks.
Picking up my ‘33 in a couple of weeks. Is there an issue with the Koni’s that come with the kit?
I’m doing full fenders, so I will assume that I will want more ride height. Will the Koni’s do it?
Tires I’m thinking of are 305/25/20 rear and 245/40/18 up front
TIA
Guy

[RoadRacer]

No nothing wrong with the stock konis.

Like all upgrades the qa1’s are “better and adjustable” (I just upgraded to qa1’s after 3 years on konis) but you may never need them.

[Dgc333]

I would wait until you have the car built and have a few miles on it before making a decision on whether you want to upgrade.

My Speedstar is still is not finished but I have been driving it around the neighborhood and so far I find the front suspension fine as is but the rear appears to be pretty harsh. I will likely go with a softer spring in the rear but won't make that decision until I have a couple hundred miles on it.

[33fromSD]

I upgraded to QA1s and it was best decision I could have made. Konis are hard to adjust and honestly the only thing that can be adjusted on them is the ride height, there is no way to adjust the compression & rebound like on QA1s. Also, it's a whole lot easier to swap them during the build than after the 33 is done. Just my opinioons.

Jim

[Just 1 More]

I upgraded to QA1s and it was best decision I could have made. Konis are hard to adjust and honestly the only thing that can be adjusted on them is the ride height, there is no way to adjust the compression & rebound like on QA1s. Also, it's a whole lot easier to swap them during the build than after the 33 is done. Just my opinioons.

Jim

Jim is absolutely correct. Mines not on the road yet but doing the swap now was easier than doing it once built. And if you're asking about it, you already know you want to do it.
QA1 shocks # DD403 and QA1 Spring Caps 9018-113, QA1-9HT400 springs. I bought mine from Matt and Kim at MCBparts.com cheaper than anywhere else you'll find.
20231024_193059.jpg

[Scott Gompper]

The rear shocks on my 33 are so harsh that the wheels come off the ground when I hit bumps. I think they are simply unsafe. My QA1s are going on this weekend. To change the shocks you will need to cut a hole in the trunk to access the bolts. I already did this when changing the springs. There is a post stating that the mounts on the axle will need to be modified (cut down a little for spring clearance) I will find out shortly.

[Dgc333]

To change the shocks you will need to cut a hole in the trunk to access the bolts. I already did this when changing the springs. There is a post stating that the mounts on the axle will need to be modified (cut down a little for spring clearance) I will find out shortly.

Is that a Gen 1 thing because my Gen 2 has all kinds of room to access the top shock mounts. Also, FFR supplied an 8" long spring. There is ample room without modification for a 10" long spring and may be even 12" long spring.

[Just 1 More]

Is that a Gen 1 thing because my Gen 2 has all kinds of room to access the top shock mounts. Also, FFR supplied an 8" long spring. There is ample room without modification for a 10" long spring and may be even 12" long spring.

I just swapped mine on my Gen 2, went with DD701 and a 12HT250 12" spring. No need for cutting any holes for access.

[TxMike64]

How much do yall figure for a full QA1 swap? about $2,000?

Might be worth it for the double adjustability.

[Just 1 More]

Mike,
Just FYI: if you have your part numbers, Kim @ MCBParts.com was able to get me QA1's cheaper than anyone else. Shoot her an email and see what she can do for you. [email protected]

[JimLev]

Cutting holes may depend on if you have a straight axle. I changed all 4 Koni’s on my Gen 1 without any cutting, but that may be cuz I’ve got the IRS setup.

The other problem with the Koni’s is changing the ride height. It’s almost impossible to hold the black tube (lack of access in the front) while you are trying to adjust the ring nut with the spanner wrench.

[RoadRacer]

I cut a hole to remove mine more easily. Not strictly necessary but I don’t have a full lift (quickjack lifts it ~12-18”?) so cutting a small hole make removal of bolts easier (and I don’t care about the hole) I cut mine in the vertical panel behind the wheel.

[Dgc333]

The other problem with the Koni’s is changing the ride height. It’s almost impossible to hold the black tube (lack of access in the front) while you are trying to adjust the ring nut with the spanner wrench.

Gee, I use the spanner to hold the adjustment ring and turn the threaded sleeve by hand to adjust the ride height. There is so little room up front to try and turn the spanner. I do let the wheels hang free when I do this.

[Scott Gompper]

My 33 will not accept the QA1s I purchased without some modifications to the upper mounts. I have been extremely unhappy with the rear shocks and springs as they were so stiff. Yesterday I added 220 LB 9 inch springs. The ride is quite improved and acceptable. I will add the QA1s when I have the time to modify the upper shock mounts. Over the past few weeks, I have replaced an automatic 4 speed with a Tremic 5 speed and now, the car is Fabulous!

[Just 1 More]

My 33 will not accept the QA1s I purchased without some modifications to the upper mounts. I have been extremely unhappy with the rear shocks and springs as they were so stiff. Yesterday I added 220 LB 9 inch springs. The ride is quite improved and acceptable. I will add the QA1s when I have the time to modify the upper shock mounts. Over the past few weeks, I have replaced an automatic 4 speed with a Tremic 5 speed and now, the car is Fabulous!

What QA1's are you using? I did front and rear with no modifications to any mounts. What issue are you having? Pictures?

[Scott Gompper]

I've been doing work on the electrical system and the door panels and ....... But I have not put in the QA1s yet. Gen 1 (2013) and a 3 link Ford 8.8 inch rear end. There is no way the QA1s will fit without modifying the rear axle mount or extending the upper mount at least an inch to the rear. I'm glad you do not have those problems, but I have read some posts where modifications were necessary. The rear end is still too stiff, but I have put over 2000 miles on the car in the last few months. I will post a picture or two when I take one that you can see what the issue is.

[TxMike64]

FWIW - I don't think there is any difference in the shock mounts G1/G2. That's not to say that he QA1s don't require spacers or something else, but the mounts should be the same. I believe quite a few people have switched to MUCH lower spring rates to improve the ride.