QA1's "New Blue" Ford F100 Is An R&D Passion Project
QA1’s 1972 Ford F100 long bed, affectionately known as “New Blue,” is a prime example of what happens when classic American iron is brought up to modern engineering standards. This truck has been not just a restoration project but a fully functional R&D platform that has helped QA1 develop its high-performance F100 suspension system. It’s also been a rolling showcase of what our products can do. Acquired in Texas in good condition, “New Blue” was far from the clean machine it is today. It was brought into QA1’s fleet to prototype and test parts, pushing the boundaries of what a vintage F100 could achieve on both the street and track.
When QA1 began developing the suspension system for the popular F100 series, the goal was clear: to create a setup that could balance daily drivability with the performance required for autocross and track events. “New Blue” was the perfect candidate for this transformation. The result is a truck that not only rides comfortably around town — with plenty of ‘oomph’ under the right pedal — but can also handle the rigors of high-speed cornering and aggressive driving. This level of versatility is at the heart of QA1’s approach to performance suspension, and the F100 build showcases just how far you can push the limits of a classic truck without sacrificing comfort.
Starting with the front suspension, we completely reimagined the truck’s capabilities. The factory twin I-beam suspension was removed entirely, replaced by a more refined and tunable system designed for precise handling. QA1’s custom front suspension kit includes an engine cradle, crossmember, upper and lower control arms, and coilover shocks. The system also features spindles based on the 1981 Camaro, a deliberate choice to ensure compatibility with a wide range of readily available brake options. This practical approach ensures that parts like spindles and brakes are easily sourced, making maintenance and future upgrades a breeze for the DIY builder.
The coilover system is a significant improvement over the factory setup. With single- and double-adjustable shock options, and spring rates designed to cater to various driving needs, the system is flexible enough to accommodate everything from daily driving to weekend track events. “New Blue” runs QA1’s 500-pound spring rate, which is ideal for lighter-weight small-block Ford engines and street performance. However, QA1 offers flexibility within the kit, allowing users to opt for stiffer or softer spring rates depending on the vehicle’s weight and intended use. Whether you’re building a lightweight drag truck or a heavy-duty autocross machine, the system can be tailored to meet those demands.
On the rear, the truck features QA1’s torque arm rear suspension system. This setup provides a dramatic 7-inch drop from stock ride height, giving “New Blue” a low, aggressive stance. The torque arm design optimizes the rear geometry for performance, ensuring the truck handles well whether it’s cruising on the street or taking on sharp corners on an autocross course. The system is designed for ease of installation, bolting directly to the frame with no welding required. Adjustable trailing arms provide additional customization, allowing the wheelbase to be fine-tuned to the driver’s preference.
The rear suspension’s adjustability is key to making the truck as versatile as possible. Whether you’re aiming for a lowered street truck or a high-performance track vehicle, the system’s 4- to 7-inch drop range allows for significant customization of your stance. “New Blue” sits at the full 7-inch drop, and while it’s not designed to maintain stock ride height, the trade-off is well worth it for the enhanced performance and handling capabilities. The rear kit also includes the option for single- or double-adjustable shocks, giving drivers even more control over ride quality and performance. QA1’s design philosophy is all about making the installation as straightforward as possible, with existing frame holes used for mounting. In fact, you don’t even need to remove the truck bed to install the rear suspension, though doing so can make access easier.
SHOP QA1's FORD F100 SUSPENSION KITS & COMPONENTS
Complementing the new suspension system and aggressive visual attitude is Rocket Racing Hyper Shot Attack wheels, with 18x10 wheels up front and massive 18x12s in the rear. Wrapped in Nitto tires, the truck has a planted stance, thanks to 285/40/18 tires up front and 305/35/18s in the back. Some minor fender trimming and the addition of extended wheel tubs were necessary to fit the wider rear tires, but the modifications paid off with a menacing look that complements the truck’s newfound performance.
Stopping power is equally important in a high-performance build, and QA1 equipped “New Blue” with Wilwood brakes. The front brakes feature 14-inch rotors with six-piston calipers, while the rear uses the same 14-inch rotors with four-piston calipers. This braking system ensures that the truck stops as well as it accelerates, making it both safe and fun to drive.
Under the hood, “New Blue” is powered by a Ford small-block engine based on a 351 Windsor, stroked to 410 cubic inches. Producing roughly 500 horsepower, this engine delivers the performance needed to match the truck’s aggressive suspension and handling setup. Paired with an AOD transmission, the power delivery is smooth and reliable, whether you’re cruising on the highway or hammering through the gears at a track event. The engine bay is filled with high-quality components, including a Be Cool radiator, MSD ignition, OPTIMA battery, PowerMaster alternator, and Derale transmission cooler. All these parts work together to ensure that “New Blue” performs reliably, even under extreme conditions.
But “New Blue” isn’t just a show truck or a trailered race car. This truck has been driven to autocross events, raced, and driven home afterward. In 2019, it even participated in the Hot Rod Power Tour, a cross-country journey that put the truck’s reliability and performance to the test. It’s not just about how it performs on the track—QA1 designed this truck to be driven, and driven hard.
What makes “New Blue” truly special is the fact that it wasn’t a project farmed out to a specialty shop, but was built in-house by QA1 employees. It was a labor of love, with team members working on it after hours to bring it to life. The personal investment in this build is evident in every detail, from the signatures of the employees on the glove box to the precision tuning of the suspension system. “New Blue” represents the perfect marriage of classic automotive design and modern engineering, showing that with the right parts and dedication, a vintage truck designed for hauling can be transformed into a high-performance machine.
Whether you’re looking to build an F100 for daily driving, autocross, or just for fun, this build shows that with the right approach, you can have it all: comfort, performance, and reliability.
"New Blue" Overview
Body: 1972 Ford F100
Frame: Stock
Engine: 410 cubic inch Ford 351W (4.00" stroke, 4.040" bore); ported heads; Edelbrock intake manifold; FST carburetor
Exhaust: BBK shorty tube headers to 2-1/2" custom exhaust system
Transmission: Ford AOD; 2,800 RPM-stall torque A-1 converter
Driveshaft: QA1 REV Series custom 1350 U-joint custom carbon fiber
Rear Axle: Quick Performance 9" (3.90 ratio)
Brakes (front & rear): Wilwood 13" rotors
Suspension (front): Conversion to QA1 independent front suspension, QA1 MOD Series coilover shocks, power rack & pinion, 1-3/8" sway bar
Suspension (rear): QA1 bolt-in torque arm rear suspension system, QA1 MOD Series coilover shocks, 1-1/4" sway bar
Springs: QA1 (5" drop front, 7" drop rear)
Tires: Nitro 555G2 (285/40/18 front, 305/35/18 rear)
Wheels: Rocket Racing Hypershot Attack 18x10" (front) and 18x12" (rear)
Seats: TMI Bench
Gauges: Autometer
