Can I use coilovers w/ stock control arms ?

MRKING

New Parts for Old Trucks
I have been trying to figure out if stock control arm coil-overs is possible .I am using my rear shocks here to see whats needed .They are only sitting in there right now with bolts holding them in . I figured I would see if I could mock something up with them before my brackets come in and i have to put these on my rear . I couldnt believe it when they just dropped right in . They dont rub anywhere , they fit right in , I didnt have to cut anything , and I didnt have to cut anything . :tup:
Sorry I didnt bust out the foamy engine bright for some shiny-frame pics .

afco-full.jpg

afco-top.jpg

afco-bottom.jpg

afco-middle.jpg


This preliminary fitament doesnt show any problems . I will have to use spacers on each side of the shocks mounting bolts , but I see it allowing clearance everywhere needed.

I have been looking for the spring ratings for the qa1 coilover suspensions offered for our trucks now from RPM or JS . Maybe someone can chime in ? Hopefully I stumbled on a $450 front coilover install ...
 
Last edited:

epix

Typhoon
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

are those the coilovers from Al Dustan's setup?
 

MRKING

New Parts for Old Trucks
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Yes , I have his rear kit .
 

Foot Performance

Donating Member
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

they look upside down to me but i dont know
 

odium

1BADGMC
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Foot Performance said:
they look upside down to me but i dont know

Function and performance shouldn't be affected if this is true.
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

maybe just box in the shock tower to make it stronger.

what rear kit are you waiting for?? :dunno:
 

MRKING

New Parts for Old Trucks
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

MikeRenz said:
maybe just box in the shock tower to make it stronger.
Are you talking about adding some gussets on the sides or actually boxing in the front of the top shock mount ?

I think i found why these drop right in . They have a spring i.d. of 2" vs. the 2.5" or 2.25" of the other kits. I know it doesnt seem like much difference , but I guess its just enough to let them fit .

I am waiting for my " Mike Renz-o-matic Limited Edition Short Bus coil overs brackets " You should go big anyday now . I'm thinking tv commercials , t-shirts , hats , lunch boxes , and life sized cardboard cutouts . You gonna need an agent .:lol:
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

gussets are good. i'd also reweld the tower itself. Its the only thing that just doesn't seem trustworthy on our trucks imo. Dunno if any stress tests of been done on them by the suspension guys.


I should be putting the order in for the rear brackets this week. :tup:
 
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mattw

Active member
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Did you check to make sure that they didn't rub when you turn the wheels and also through the full range of the suspension travel?

This is great info!!


Thanks,
-Matt
 
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

MRKING said:
Stock control arm coil-overs ? They dont rub anywhere , they fit right in , they are adjustable , I didnt have to cut anything , and I didnt have to cut anything . :tup:
Sorry I didnt bust out the foamy engine bright for some shiny-frame pics .

afco-full.jpg

afco-top.jpg

afco-bottom.jpg

afco-middle.jpg


They are only sitting in there right now with bolts holding them in . I figured I would see if I could mock something up with them before my rear brackets come in and i have to put these on my rear . I couldnt believe it when they just dropped right in . This preliminary fitament doesnt show any problems . I will have to use spacers on each side of the shocks mounting bolts , but I see it allowing clearance everywhere needed.

I have been looking for the spring ratings for the qa1 coilover suspensions offered for our trucks now from RPM or JS . Maybe someone can chime in ? Hopefully I stumbled on a $450 front coilover install ...


prety sure those are the same springs and shocks i have on my sy that came in my dustan coilover setup... and they work just fine.... you can get some stainless steel spacers of diff lengths from lowe's... cut them to the right length for each side of the shock to center it and it'll be all good.

i agree with renz about the gussetts... it's just my personal preference. but rpm's kit dosent use them nor does the js kit.
 

George Blake

DONATING MEMBER
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Sweet find.
You got a part number for those shocks and springs? I may just have to try this. Especially since Al ain't around no more.
 

H-TOWN-TYPHOON

You're killin' me, Smalls
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

George Blake said:
Sweet find.

part number for those shocks and springs

x2 I am starting on a front end rebuild and would really like to chuck the torsion bars without spending $1500 to do it.
 

MRKING

New Parts for Old Trucks
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Honestly , I cant find a thing on these . These are my rear shocks , and I will be getting a new set for the front . I believe the qa1's used in both front kits are the QA1-DR4855B shocks . Thats a 14" extended 10" compressed bearing mount coil over shock , and I see the norm is a matching 600 lb spring . The hypercoils used are 2.25" i.d. spring and from what I found searching , a 2" 600 lb doesnt look easy to find . At this point I am going to just use the qa1/hp setup thats proven to work and if I have to notch something , I will notch something . Plus , the qa1'a are cheaper .

I wanted to see how hard a stock arm coil over swap would be , and from the looks of things , I know I can safely massage it all in . I will be certain to take pics if I have to notch anything and I will keep eveyone posted on my results .
 

odium

1BADGMC
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

What brand does that yellow sticker say?

Is there a PN anywhere on there?
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

upon further review...your internet search skills suxor

qa1.jpg
 

H-TOWN-TYPHOON

You're killin' me, Smalls
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Thanks Renz, I was just going to post that.

Does anyone see how this could be detrimental? Other than the weight loss with the tubular control arms, this should perfrom similarly, correct?
 

MRKING

New Parts for Old Trucks
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

As long as the spring holds the truck up and the shock has the right range of travel , it will work just like the $1500 sets .
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

how strong does the lower a-arm look....like it needs reinforced?
 

MRKING

New Parts for Old Trucks
Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Re: Can I use them like this if they fit ?

Have you ever held one in your hand ? That things like a tank . The tubular ones should give before the stockers do .
 
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