Howdy Dakota folks

I have my dakota rear end way low and I’m about to correct the shock angle and install some QA1 stocker star single adjustable shocks. My truck is actually a ‘54 dodge pickup on the Dak frame and the rear suspension is fabricated but the front is stock 2wd 1989 but with moog coil springs. All bushings and balljoints are new.

I put $15 shocks on when I built the truck and it’s a good cruiser but I want to upgrade to some stiffer shocks- preferably an adjustable. Double adjustables are outside my price range.

I’m looking at the QA1 stocker star shocks. Everybody in reviews or whatever talks about having to open up the LCA hole to pass the big shock & adjustment **** thru but nobody has pics of how it needs to look trimmed. I have a pic of my LCA when I R&R’d it and the hole & bolt up looks pretty tight in the spring pocket already?

Anybody use the QA1 shock that can tell me about installation? I have a die grinder and I’m not afraid to whittle but maybe I should just throw some KYBs in there or something I dunno. It’d be nice to be able to soften them up for weight transfer at the strip and tighten them up for throwing the truck into corners.

Thanks for looking and in advance for any comments and pics anyone might share.

Radar

 

How the the shocks mount on the bottom? (the new flavor?)

 

Same as stock. I called QA1 and they said it was just minor clearancing. So I ordered a pair

 

I take it that is also the spring perch where the shock goes up thru the middle of the spring?

Yeah, should be able to just hit it with a grinder to get 'em in there.

 

Fingers crossed it goes smoothly and I can reach the adjustment in there thru the coils!

 

You realize, with that coil and that upper control arm, you now need to take the lower and the spindle and get THEM powder coated (or painted), right?

RwP

 

Ha! The zinc is intact on the lower and that is just a messy work in progress shot. It looks like this now- ten pounds of $)(/t in a five pound bag

 

At least the interior is coming out fancy

 

The bed came out good too

 

Ten minutes with a carbide burr on a die grinder and they went right in.