Road racing is typically not a task associated with pickups trucks. Given enough resources, factory and aftermarket specialists can work their magic on trucks to turn them into worthwhile track warriors. The 1972 Ford F-100 featured today recently underwent that type of transformation, and the results are pretty spectacular.
In a previous life, this 1972 Ford F-100 worked on a farm. QA1, a tuning company that specializes in suspension and driveline upgrades, acquired the truck and decided to modify it so that it can be used as touring vehicle of sorts, to be driven around town comfortably but also flung around the track, if desired. To accomplish its goal, the team outfitted the pickup with some unconventional suspension upgrades, ripping out the factory I-beam setup for its custom upper and lower control arms and coilovers with adjustable shocks.
As a result, ride height dropped by five inches, giving the F-100 a unique and aggressive stance. QA1 also included spindles from (ear muffs!) a 1981 Chevy Camaro, which the team employed to increase the truck’s braking power. Additionally, the power steering rack is based on a unit from a Fox Body Ford Mustang. The team developed the F-100 kit to feature easily available parts that can greatly improve the truck’s handling.
Out back, QA1 dropped the rear ride height by seven inches and installed its adjustable rear torque arm suspension, which can be raised to three inches if desired. The included trailing arms and shocks are also adjustable. Handling received a boost with the addition of a rear sway bar.
Under the hood, the 1972 Ford F-100 received a host of more conventional upgrades that are still pretty great. The team modified a stock 351 Windsor to displace 410 cubic-inches, for a total output of around 500 horsepower, and mated the powerplant to a Ford AOD four-speed automatic.
Combined with the suspension upgrades, the modded pickup has been used as a daily driver and taken around various autocross courses. It certainly looks great and can definitely be used as a useful guide for those who may want to take their vintage Ford truck to the next level.
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Comment
Hi, any info on the wheel and tire combo used? Particularly interested in the dimmensions. Thanks!