Changed my Shocks....
- Thread starter FATJACK
- Start date
Changed mine back to the stock shocks....I have Xmetal's 1/2 lowering kit........cant believe how much difference...truck handles & rides much better..no, not just much better...just how it should have to begin with........those shocks in Xmetal's kit must be just a POS.....
Update of my own:
I had planned to remove and replace my QA1 shocks but in the end felt the difference of the two and decided that since my QA1s up front were only on 8 that I would run them at a stiffer # rate. I set mine at 10 and tested them prior (both shocks) and 10 is slightly stiffer than stock. The result - MUCH better, so much better, no more bouncing and not harsh. I thought since I paid for these shocks (adjustable no less) I may as well try them out and I'm glad I did. Very happy and since these go to 16 settings I still have plenty of room to play.
I had planned to remove and replace my QA1 shocks but in the end felt the difference of the two and decided that since my QA1s up front were only on 8 that I would run them at a stiffer # rate. I set mine at 10 and tested them prior (both shocks) and 10 is slightly stiffer than stock. The result - MUCH better, so much better, no more bouncing and not harsh. I thought since I paid for these shocks (adjustable no less) I may as well try them out and I'm glad I did. Very happy and since these go to 16 settings I still have plenty of room to play.
mmmmtorque
Full Access Member
The best my truck handled for everyday driving was with the OEM shocks and XMetal drop kit. I am running QA'1s now but are really only good at the track.....
mmmmtorque said:
It would do better with git r down sprangs:rock:
HOT RAM
Full Access Member
Stinker said:It would do better with git r down sprangs:rock:
I have 'em and I agree !:rock:
Good to know.mmmmtorque said:
Is it really in the shock design itself? Aren't they basically the same just one has the ability to be adjusted? :dontknow: I can't see how they can be that different. Not saying I disagree, I'm just don't get how they can be that far off. 8-9 seems to be around the stock shocks setting so won't it be the same as stock? Unless it's all in the "travel" or something? Again, that seems to be very similar, both go up and down etc LOL Curious is all.
mmmmtorque
Full Access Member
Carlwalski said:Good to know.
I have found it difficult to get the optimum setup for daily driving. The Bilsteins (IMHO) perform great for cruising down the road and hitting the twisties hard. They have a wide progressive range for an OEM shock.
The QA1's are a great option if you go to the track and want to dial your truck to conditions. I just dont feel their progressive range on any one setting is as wide as the Bilsteins.
Thanks mate, this is good input. Do you think they'll offer a better resistance to the QA1s in terms of suspension/spring travel, ie: bottoming out? I also wonder if setting the QA1s at say, 14 would almost be too stiff resulting in worse bounce and bottoming out. For me, bounce is public enemy #1 followed by bottoming out. I'm really tempted to try the stock shocks again now I have a better ride height. Plus a big bonus for me is the perfect fit and thick as bolting area. The QA1s look real weak and thin next to the OEM mounting holes which are thick as.mmmmtorque said:
Hmmmm, not sure what to do, try the QA1s on 16 (max) or throw in the OEMs. I'll definitely be keeping the rear shocks QA1, the adjustibility and traction seem good and I like the idea of being able to adjust the part you need to adjust. The front for me is a pretty much set and leave item as I don't go to the track. Another thing, do you know why they state the QA1 as a 12 set shock when you can actually start at 0 and go to 16 clicks? Found that rather strange.
From your description above, the OEMs sound like my kind of shock. Good highway cruising, less bounce and also enough there to handle the corners for those enthusiastic driving times.
mmmmtorque
Full Access Member
Carlwalski said:Thanks mate, this is good input. Do you think they'll offer a better resistance to the QA1s in terms of suspension/spring travel, ie: bottoming out? I also wonder if setting the QA1s at say, 14 would almost be too stiff resulting in worse bounce and bottoming out. For me, bounce is public enemy #1 followed by bottoming out. I'm really tempted to try the stock shocks again now I have a better ride height. Plus a big bonus for me is the perfect fit and thick as bolting area. The QA1s look real weak and thin next to the OEM mounting holes which are thick as.
Hmmmm, not sure what to do, try the QA1s on 16 (max) or throw in the OEMs. I'll definitely be keeping the rear shocks QA1, the adjustibility and traction seem good and I like the idea of being able to adjust the part you need to adjust. The front for me is a pretty much set and leave item as I don't go to the track. Another thing, do you know why they state the QA1 as a 12 set shock when you can actually start at 0 and go to 16 clicks? Found that rather strange.
I would still bottom out the Billsteins when pushing it hard in the corners but only when the surface was uneven or really pressed. With the QA1's on 12, its hard to get them to bottom out and are not bouncy at all.
The problem is, our trucks are so heavy, that trying to correct understeer is very difficult. When you set the QA1's too stiff, you find the limit of your front tires real quick
. A camber kit would go a long way on our trucks, until then you just have to find the balance of shock stiffness and using oversteer techniques as your friend. I was worried as well about the integrity of the QA1's after comparing OEM vs QA1 arm and bolt diameters. I am not worried anymore after a couple hundred miles of heavy road course work.
Yea, there are more than 12 clicks....bonus feature
mmmmtorque said:I would still bottom out the Billsteins when pushing it hard in the corners but only when the surface was uneven or really pressed. With the QA1's on 12, its hard to get them to bottom out and are not bouncy at all.
The problem is, our trucks are so heavy, that trying to correct understeer is very difficult. When you set the QA1's too stiff, you find the limit of your front tires real quick
I was worried as well about the integrity of the QA1's after comparing OEM vs QA1 arm and bolt diameters. I am not worried anymore after a couple hundred miles of heavy road course work.
Yea, there are more than 12 clicks....bonus feature
Thanks mate. After weighing up my options I will stick with the QA1s.
I'll leave them at 10 up front and see if I can level up the front and rid the bottoming out. Good to know the QA1s have taken the abuse.
Cheers,
Carl
My truck not only rides better but handles much better....great improvement....for the first time since installing the lowering kit I am completely happy with it.....cant understand why the X-Metal kit even came with shocks..:dontknow:
amtrucker22
Active Member
What type of shocks were sent with the x-metal kit?
amtrucker22 said:
I forget but they are very cheap POS....truck bounced dangerously at speed sometimes....
the first ones were monroe, second gen gabriel, oh and Carl one thing about ol mmmmtrq, he does a ton of road racing too:rock:
b exxon
Full Access Member
mine has X-metal drop kit. 2.3 inch drop in rear and about 1.5 in front. It bottoms in long dipped out parts of the road at high speeds, actually front end scrapes the road. Do the QA1 shocks get rid of this? It has the stock shocks.
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