The shock absorbing system on "Crusher" was average and needed to be upgraded to the level that the new powerplant, wheel & tire combination required. QA1 stepped up with their high level of quality adjustable shock absorbers. However, they were not a direct bolt on replacement. The front shock body is too large to fit through the lower control arm and the bolt flange uses 3/8" bolts instead of 5/16". Also the valve doesn't have clearance to pass through the hole. The rear shocks used were not standard since the shock mount was fabricated/relocated and the upper pocket was too narrow. This page shows what had to be done to get them installed.
The valving in the QA1 requires a larger shock body than normal, too large to fit through the stock GM lower control arm. Modifications had to be made in order for it to fit through the hole and bolt to its position.
The QA1s use 3/8" shock mount bolts. The OEM bolts are 5/16". The bolt holes were enlarged to clear 3/8" bolts
The QA1s have an adjuster valve that is used to adjust shock stiffness. In order for this valve to clear, a notch has to be cut out on one side.
The 3/8" x1" bolt is placed in the enlarged hole and a nut is used to tighten it in place for welding.
A wire brush is used to clean the area prior to welding.
The head of the bolt is tig welded in place all around.
This is the area where the body of the shock interferes. After the bolts are welded, the head of the bolts and the weld are ground flush with the bolt threads using a carbide burr.
The pocket is now finished and the shock will clear.
The rubber bushing on the rear shocks was about 1/2" too wide to fit in the custom shock mount and had to be milled 1/4" on each side.
The steel bushing was pressed out and 1/2" was taken off using the lathe before reinserting the bushing.
The rear installation was easy compared to the front. The most difficult part of doing the front is getting the control arms off and back on. The coil spring can be intimidating.
