QA1's and ride improvement?
 

I searched and found a lot of info but nothing regarding ride comfort. Just lots of racing Q\A's.

I spend an hour and a half every day in my truck and would like a nicer\smoother ride. Will the QA's help with this or are they a waste for anything but motorcross\racing.

Thanks,
Rich

QA1's are not designed for "ride comfort," i.e., soaking up the little bumps.

For that, I would look to a variable-valved shock like the Edelbrock IASs or its competitors (Rancho RS-series, etc).

Thanks Tim, I'll do that. Any suggestions where online to purchase them or are they generally available at your local BIg-O etc....

the QA-1's that everyone uses are MUSTANG shocks.

IF you don't believe me, look up the Tuner's part number, and compare it to the QA1 part number on summit racing or Jegs. Same thing.


For everyday driving I think the bilsteins are as good as any alternative out there.

For drag racing, the Strange engineering shocks (pair for $130) is the way to go.

Any idea if the
Edelbrock IASs,bilsteins would make much of a difference over stock?

I realize it's a truck and it's not a caddillac but lately it's seems to ride more rough and a bit jittery. I was just thinking if I had to change them out maybe there is something that will soften the ride a bit....

Just look what you've gone and done, Menace.

http://www.timskelton.com/postpics/stupid/imploded.jpg

With a variable-valve shock, it can accomodate a wide variety of applications (i.e., spring rates and vehicle rates). It would be no less accurate for someone to post on a Mustang board "Look, you QA1 guys are using TRUCK shocks."

QA1s (like most shocks) are ordered by rod length and attachment method. They don't care if it's a Mustang, Lightning, or ATV. The user then adjusts the shock -- from god-can't-move-this to no-resistance-at-all -- to needs and tastes.

Maybe for a stock suspension. But add some stiffness and the Bilsteins melt. Mine were shot after only a few thousand miles on 1,100 lb front coils.

Your shocks may be shot, in which case any would be an upgrade. How many miles on your shocks?

For a stock 01 suspension, like Menace says, the Bilsteins would be a good choice for ride and cost-effectiveness. I have no personal experience with any of them, but the IAS system usually gets rave results, offset by somewhat higher-than-normal defect reports.

As long as we're in here talking about shocks, will I blow out my stock shocks running the JLP 3" shackles I just put out back?

Tim,
55k miles

i have the standard 2" drop will the standard shock part# I get be ok or will I need a different shock for a lowered truck..

not for awhile, maybe a little sooner than with the stock shackles. I do not think they have that big of affect on it.