Greetings,

I have on 02 L. While it is sleeping for the winter (I hate Canadian winters ), I am planning some mods.

I have decided to do some suspensions work. The components I have chosen are the following:

Eibach Front Coils
Belltech Rear 2" Drop Shackles
Roush Bumpstops
Custom Endlinks

My question to you guys is:

The setup mentioned above has netted some members of this board and NLOC a 2/2 (roughly) drop.

The Bilsteins are obviously going to be outside their operating stroke. The QA1's have great reviews.

However, my concerns are the following.
1.) Is the build quality and reliability of the QA1 as high as the stock Bilsteins?
2.) Is the stroke of the QA1's calibrated for slightly lowered suspensions, or is it identical in stroke range to the stock Bilsteins?


Thank you all kindly in advance,
Modesto

Toronto, Canada

 

Hi there~
Recently I just ridded of stock Bilstein shocks on my 02 L. Bought a set of QA1 shocks.
Here is why:
I had BellTech 3/4 drop with stock Bilstein but after 10000Km my front Bilstein shocks started leaking bad. And QA1 12 adjustable shocks was great choice.
My future suspension mod will be ROUSH coil & leaf springs and HOTCHKIS sway bars!

QA1 a little pricey but oh..boy..YOU WONT REGRET!!!!

 

Toronto,

good choice on the suspension. Ordered my QA1's last night..

However and in the handling department, Eibachs leave a bit to be desired. Nice coils but not the best if you plan on apexing. Depends on your desired end result. Been there, done that.

Give Ruslow a call for the QA1's, he offers a nice selection of springs at the same or less than the cost for Eibachs and will give you the desired lowering without sacrificing handling as well as a heim kit that will address rear shock binding issues associated with lowering the rear.

catch him in the vendors section over on NLOC.

Bob

 

Similar to other products, there are low quality models for low prices, medium quality for more money, and high quality for more money again. The stock Bilstiens are a lower quality shock when compared to the QA1's. It doesn't mean they are a bad shock. They just aren't in the same class. Hopefully that answers your question about quality.

Regarding the shaft lengths (extended and compressed), the QA1's can be ordered for the stock ride heights or lowered ride heights. But, it is only the rear shock that would be different. The front shock is within it's effecient operating range whether it's at the stock ride hieght or at the maximum recommended drop.

 

Spike,

P.C. Monday?

come on, tell us how you really think...

Bob

 

I just bought Bilsteins for my 2000 - the 50k stockers are gone and the bilsteins willbe an improvement. And I cant justify paying 5x more for the QA1's ....

My $0.02

Doug

 

The selection that is availible is somewhat limited but If you where to change from the bilstein to the QAs' you would see and feel a huge difference,it is really up to what you want out of your truck and whatyou are willing to part with.If you drive on the street the bilsteins will work with your set up for about 3 weeks then you will of worn them out.the bilsteins were designed for STOCK spring rates and not anything else.Sure they will work but if you did not know anything else so will the 99 shocks.They are pricey but you get a shock that has 12 setting vs. none.so you can tune the ride and handling to YOUR wants and needs.NOT the designers!Stan

 

Stan,

Didn't mean to infer an over-abuncance of spring selections.

Guess what I meant was. I'm a happy customer with the selections you offer.

Bob

 

How much are the bilsteins for our truck??? Because for my car they're $500

For my truck though I'll stick with the QA1's. They work nice!

 

No Speedy, I was not refering to your post.Just saying that IF you were to go with the application guide there are no GOOD perforance shocks out here.The vendors have to "read between the lines" for some parts,ie.shocks and springs.Stan

 

Thanks guys!

I have never received such a quick and thorough response on any other message board. You guys are great.

Stan, I will be contacting you for some advice on the front coils. If the Eibachs leave something to be desired, then I will up the ante and get a better coil from you.

However, I have decided on the QA1's because a) they can be had for lowered suspensions b) higher quality than the Bilsteins c)recommended by you guys.

Thanks once again, and take care!

 

OK.

Here's what I think of the stock Bilstiens: When I got my 2002 Lightning, I took them off and gave them back to Ford.

 

Stan,

10-4



Spike,

LOL there ya go!!



Bob

 

Can you provide technical information backing up your claim as to why the Bilsteins are inferior as comapred to QA1s? Koni, Bilstein, and Penske are the most popular shocks at the track and for good reason. Although I don't doubt your claim the QA1 shocks work, they are still a part of the huge drag racing line they produce. Bilsteins have a huge history in road racing and are still widely used making it a proven component.

A few companies carry universal race style Bilsteins with various valving and lengths. They feature heim jointed mounting points, are fully rebuildable, offer custom valving, and all four can be had for just under $500. Mounting will take a bit of time but they will work.

Oh yeah, and that panhard bar...... Nice Rollcenter and bind sweep!

Anthony

 

boy are you the nice one!
What Toronto F-150 was asking about was the stock bilsteins not the 400 buck apiece one.You can get shocks including bilseins that are tunable but not at the price of the QA1s'.
As for the bar that has already been shown as to the "bind sweep" so I won't even give the the satifation of going there.Stan