Seems there's quite a bit of interest in our F100 build here at QA1 so we thought why not do a video
and a little walk around. So here we have here our 1972 F100 long bed. This was an R&D vehicle for
our F100 front and rear suspension. We acquired it locally it was a good truck you know good paint
definitely didn't look like this. But we used it as a a vehicle that we could prototype parts on
and test and drive and do all the things that are necessary to create a an awesome handling kit for
it. So when we developed the suspension for this truck we wanted something that was still friendly
enough to drive every day. If you wanted to but had the adjustability so that you could go to the
track the autocross and and just generally hot rod around town which is what everybody wants to do.
This truck and this suspension system that we've designed will do all of that. Starting on the
front end here we have our front suspension the QA1 suspension that eliminates the twin i-beam
you rip all of that stuff out strip it down to a bare frame rails and then we have our engine
cradle and cross member that then will attach our upper lower control arms the coil-overs.
Comes with the spindle and you can get these with the single or double adjustable shocks
400 500 or 600 on the spring rate we make it really easy this truck's running the 500
pound spring rate which is the middle spring rate. It's what you would do for you know your everyday
small block ford street truck type thing. Now if you had a big block turbos things like that
lot more weight on the front going auto crossing mostly with the truck then you might go to the 600
and then if you had a lightweight truck a drag racing truck you might go to the 400. But on
this truck we have the 500 with the five inch drop in the front and this comes with the spindles the
spindles in the QA1 kit are based on an 81 Camaro so a lot of brake availability and we wanted to
create something that there weren't specialized parts that you couldn't find around town.
So when it comes to the spindle going to the 81 Camaro I mean there's a ton of brake options for
the 81 Camaro. The power rack is from based on a Fox Body Mustang so easy parts to find. Attached
to our front suspension is the Wilwood 14 inch rotor uh six six piston setup in the front and
the 14 inch rotor in the back with the four piston uh calipers and so that really helps with stopping
power. Looking at the rear suspension here we have it sitting at seven inches below stock ride height
our rear torque arm suspension will allow you four to seven inches of drop. The geometry is optimized
for that. I have had a couple questions that can you run the QA1 suspension at stock ride height
the answer is no. We did not optimize it to ride at stock ride height. But the rear suspension does
include the torque in the torque arm suspension the torque arm obviously it's all based off of the
frame c-notch bracket it's a long bracket that bolts right to the frame so no welding there.
And the trailing arms are adjustable so you can adjust your your wheelbase and comes with single
or double adjustable shocks. You can also add on the rear sway bar which makes it handle really
well. The rear suspension is currently set up for the nine-inch that would come in the truck we
don't have another option for different rear ends. We do not currently have an 8.8 option. When it
comes to installing the rear suspension you don't have to remove the bed to do it although it will
definitely make it easier give you more access. But simply dropping the axle and the leaf springs
and then everything is based on existing holes in the frame so again you cannot get this wrong it's
it's a quite an easy install. The rear suspension here also comes in single or double adjustable
shocks so gives you a lot of adjustability in the ride quality you've got the ride height adjustment
which allows you to use this truck for just about anything you want to and that's what
we've done over the last couple years here. It's a great riding truck on the streets
gets a lot of looks obviously and we've actually driven it out to autocross events beat it around
the course and then drove it home. Actually if you look right here on the back window you'll see this
truck went to Power Tour in 2019 which drove across the country all around the country it
was a lot of fun and it's just an awesome setup. And we do get a lot of questions on the wheel and
tire setup on this truck so I'm here to help you out. These are the Rocket Racing Hyper Shot Attack
wheels. These are 18x10 with a five inch backspace. Nitto tires 285/40/18s and we
did do a little bit of trimming around the fender here but I can get three fingers so we're good.
So with the front spindle on this kit being based on the 81 Camaro that does make your
your bolt pattern the 5x4 3/4. You can work with that there's different options with different
brake setups that you can do to either change the bolt pattern or you can change the rear bolt
pattern the original four-bolt pattern to a 5x4 3/4 if you were to get an aftermarket axle upgrade
to the 31 spline axles. On the back here we also have the Rocket Racing Hyper Shot Attack wheels
these are going to be the 18x12s wrapped in the Nitto tire 305/35/18 puts a lot of meat down and
with this wheel and tire package we do have just a little bit of trimming here and we did put some
extended wheel tubs in that I'll show you now. And here's the wheel tubs that we installed to get
those 305 Nittos underneath there we're running an uh Quick Performance rear axle nine-inch
with 390 gears it's been working out really well puts all the power down and that's what we like.
Now because this is a truck that we constantly like to drive we've got the power delivery we've
got the wheels and tires we've got the look we've got the suspension we've got things happening
for us. The interior has to be comfortable as well and that's where we went with the TMI seat
full array of Auto Meter gauges. Just a real comfortable truck
I mean I'm ready to do drive right now. One of the reasons that makes this truck really special to us
here at QA1 is that while it did serve as the R&D truck for our F100 suspension we installed
all the suspension. This isn't a truck that we sent out to a shop to have the rest of this done
this was uh all completed by a group of employees who who dedicated some time to see this through
and see it become what it is today. So one of the cool things about the truck is that you'll look on
the glove box you'll see the signatures of all the employees who who helped after hours and things
like that to get it to where it is today. So when it comes to power delivery we've got a small block
Ford based on a 351 Windsor. It's punched out to a 410 and makes right about 500 horsepower. You know
we're running the the accessories like you'd find the Be Cool radiator, OPTIMA battery, MSD ignition
and uh it definitely puts down the power through the AOD transmission and it's been a lot of fun.
We are also running the PowerMaster alternator and starter on this engine which has been
really reliable for us. The Derale transmission cooler has also been equipped. You can tell it's
it's not a show truck for us this is something that we go out and drive and that's what it's
made for but definitely a reliable power plant and the second power plant actually want to
hear a little story. Do you want to hear a little story? Our first power plant that we had in this
a questionable compression you know stuff like that. We were out ripping on it after work
getting something done we were just about to load it up to take it to a show out in
Tennessee. And I won't say if I was or okay I was behind the wheel but anyway.
We' were out hot rodding her and checking her out and uh pop. Popped the engine. So we did we did
build this engine for the truck specifically for the truck went through the whole thing and uh now
they won't let me drive it. Well hearing about the parts and looking at the parts that's all great
and all I hear you. Steve why don't you go ahead and start the truck? Okay I'm gonna start it.
That sweet side exit!
'Merica. So now that you've seen our F100 build we've shown you all the specs on the
suspension and everything that we've done to it. If you have any other questions about the
build or about your build with QA1 suspension leave it in the comments. Be sure to like and
subscribe to this channel and we will see you next time! Did somebody say #goDRIVEit?!
There's crazy things going on in my head all the time.
Walk around it. My whistle sucked on that one.
(stutter) What is so funny back there!
I'm only here for your entertainment. But what how am..oooh
I'm not on it! This is where i'm gonna start it and show you what it sounds like.
that was stupid. That was so stupid.