FordMuscle Video: How To Install QA1’s K-Member For ’79-’04 Mustangs

Times have changed, and people are making more modifications than ever before on their Fox-body and SN95 Mustangs. — Dave Goldie, QA1

When it comes to shaving weight off the front of Fox- and Fox-4-chassis Fords, swapping out the factory stamped steel K-member in favor of a lightweight tubular version is a popular modification. In recent years it has become even more popular to help facilitate engine swaps and open up room for header clearance.

That’s why QA1 recently revamped its lineup of tubular K-members for ’79-’04 Mustangs. As a result, they weigh about half as much as the 50-plus-pound stock unit, while offering swappable bolt-on engine mounts for swappers and an adjustable steering rack mount for those who want to restore the proper suspension geometry on lowered cars.

Looking to drop weight and open up the engine-swap and suspension adjustment possibilities on your ’79-’04 Mustang? QA1’s redesigned, tubular K-member for these cars only weighs 25 pounds and offers bolt-in motor mounts. Plus, its steering rack mounts are adjustable for improved suspension geometry.

QA1 K-Member Features

• American HSLA steel construction

• Bolt-in design

• Digitally indexed mounting points

• Extra header clearance

• Improved suspension geometry

• More oil-pan clearance

• Swappable engine mounts

• Weighs only 25 pounds

“Times have changed, and people are making more modifications than ever before on their Fox-body and SN95 Mustangs,” Dave Goldie, QA1 Street Performance and Racing Product Manager, said when the new units were introduced. “The header clearance and bolt-on engine mounts will accommodate almost any engine and transmission configuration while still providing increased performance.”

If you pick up one of these new units, QA1 looks to ease your mind when it comes to the installation process in the video above, which details the full procedure on Steve Scotty’s New Edge, but the process is quite similar on Fox and SN-95 stallions as well.

To make the most of its tubular K-member, QA1 also recommends that you run its companion tubular lower control arms, which are available in street and race versions. The Street versions (left) feature polyurethane bushings and factory ball joints, while the Race versions are outfit with QA1’s X Series chrome-moly rod ends and low-friction ball joints.

It comes with our modular motor mounts, and all the hardware necessary to install it. — Cliff Christopherson, QA1

“We are going to install a new K-member on a 2003 Mustang with a 4.6 motor,” Cliff Christopherson, of QA1, says in the clip. “This is the new K-member that QA1 produced. It comes with our modular motor mounts, and all the hardware necessary to install it.”

These units are available for ’79-’93 (PN MUK11; $429.95), ’94-’95 (PN MUK13; $429.95), and ’96-’04 (PN MUK12; $429.95) Mustangs. For more on the QA1 K-members for 1979-2004 Mustangs, visit the QA1 site here.