1968 GTO GM A Body - QA1 Rear Coilover Installation

Longer video and even a longer weekend. I am so happy that I got this installed. Still have the sway bar to install and some adjustments to make, but getting this back under the car was very satisfying!
Please check out some other smaller KZbinrs! We need your support!
ShopKat Industries on KZbin: / shopkatindustries
Heavy Pedal Garage on KZbin: / heavypedalgarage
My Amazon Affiliate Link: amzn.to/3nWanYe
QA1 installation video for 64-72 GM A Body • How to: Install the 64...
QA1 Spring Shakedown Cruise
Sat, May 14, 2022 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Location
9574 217th Street West
Lakeville, MN 55044
#goDRIVEit
#QA1
DISCLAIMER: None of my videos should be considered How-to guides. This is just my experience and what I ran into during my installations. Do work at your own risk and hire a professional if necessary.
#1968
#Pontiac
#GTO
#DoItMyselfGarage
#Permatex

[@ssdtrain1]

good job bro, no need to remove the rear axle for installation of these shocks though, just making more work obviously lol, keep everything loose on the ride height adjuster till the shock is mounted so you don't have to loosen and tighten the bolts over and over possibly wearing out the nylon locking nuts. looks really good...

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

You are correct that I didn't have to remove the entire axle. I already had the axle out because I was replacing the center section, getting new axle bearings and replaced all four control arms. It was very filthy, so it gave me a chance to clean it up nice and inspect everything. It is still working great and I love the positive control from the coil-overs. No wheel hop when doing burnouts!

[@ssdtrain1]

@@DoItMyselfGarage call then it wasn't a waste of time, it looks pretty clean going back in

[@hbcbr1k250]

Nice video man. Ive been in the middle of my rear installation, thanks for help with the brackets. 👊💪💯

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

Thanks! I'm glad it was of help to you. What vehicle are you installing these on?

[@KingLich451]

Love the musics

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

Gotta love that "Royalty Free" KZbin music!

[@puddleduckist]

Cool goat! Just did this on my 69 gto. Had my 8.5 rebuilt with moser 30 spline axles and a trutrac with 3.42 gears. Had housing hot tanked and i cleaned it and painted it with tamco monocoat. Installed QA1 dbl adjustable coilovers and a umi strut tower brace. Also installed umi adjustable lower control arms and uppers ams used spherical bushings in housing. Turned out nice! Now I have to install my front qa1's and umi tubular control arms and front end rebuild kit! Hope you got the goat back on the road! Thank's for sharing! Rock on 🤘 from a fellow pontiac nut!!! Forgot to ask do you still have a 400 in it? Mine has a 70 455 bored .60 over with a th400.

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

Thanks for the comment. The block that came with the car was a 1970 400 that hadn't been machine on before, so I did the right thing and stroked it to 461! :) Rebuilt the TH400 myself and it is doing nicely so far. Fighting a leaky oil pan drain plug right now. Silly plastic washer that is supposed to seal better...argh...Thanks for watching!

[@puddleduckist]

@@DoItMyselfGarage That 461 must run strong! Very cool!!!

[@marcovannooy9236]

You mentioned the washers with the cuts on them, but never followed up on what the use for them were

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

I apologize for any confusion. The two washers with the cuts on them are basically just ground into on one side so you can still use the washer if the hole is really close to the edge. Don't recall which area was the one that was a common issue, but QA1 included them as a convenience. Mine were far enough away to not be an issue, but some vehicles it might be necessary to grind the washer to fit into a tight spot. If you can get it all put together without using the modified washers, then you are all set. They are just provided as an option. These cars were massed produced, so some of the fitment varies from car to car.

[@marcovannooy9236]

@@DoItMyselfGarage ok thanks for the response. I put the rears in yesterday and fortunately didn’t have any washer issues.

[@waqarsyed6641]

AWESOME DUDE. How wide is the tire can you put in the rear with the stock axle and what kind of wear shocks Call overs Thank you for sharing

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

Not sure what the max width tire that can fit. These are QA1 Single-Adjustable Coil-Overs.

[@bradbergstad5287]

Did you do the front and back for the coil overs? How do you like them compared to coils?

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

I went with OEM coils on the front. I hadn't decided to "pull the trigger" on coil-overs until I did the rear-end and added the torsion bar back there also. I'm guessing that I will probably convert the front over later. I'll definitely give an update once I get it back on the road...which is hopefully real soon. Thanks for watching!

[@bradbergstad5287]

@@DoItMyselfGarage thanks for the reply! I guess I am wondering of the coilovers will lower the vehicle?

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

@@bradbergstad5287 From what I understand they will have close to the same ride height as stock. You would need to do drop spindles to get any significant change in height if I'm not mistaken. I'm going for stock stance on my project, so that was why I went with the factory front coils. I realized when I did the rear that QA1 we're adjustable on the ride height on the back, so that's why I spent a little extra and converted to the coilovers.

[@ssdtrain1]

What did you paint your bumpers with?

[@DoItMyselfGarage]

Since the majority of the chrome on the bumper was peeling off, I scuffed it down with some 150 grit sandpaper and hit it with some undercoating/bedliner. It has come off a little bit in a few places where I've rubbed it while getting stuff in/out of the trunk, but has stay on pretty good. If they start making better repops, then I might consider replacing it.