Ridetech RID12162401 HQ Series Front ShockWaves 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 Ford Galaxie Mercury Fox Monotube Air Suspension

The Ridetech RID12162401 HQ Series Front ShockWaves deliver bolt-on air ride suspension to the 1960-1964 Ford Galaxie, Starliner, Sunliner, Country Squire, Country Sedan, Ranch Wagon and 1961-1964 Mercury Monterey, Montclair, Colony Park, Commuter, Marauder, and Park Lane. Each kit includes two fully assembled ShockWaves combining a Fox monotube shock with a 1000 Series 6.5 in. double-convoluted air spring into a single coilover-style unit. The RID12162401 gives you instant, infinitely adjustable ride height on the front of your classic full-size Ford or Mercury while delivering the predictable handling characteristics of a coilover setup. The 24-position rebound adjustment lets you fine-tune damping to your driving preferences. Compressed length is 9.60 in., ride height is 11.00 in., and extended length is 11.90 in. at approximately 90 psi ride pressure. Installation is bolt-on to the OEM front control arms with one 3/4 in. drill operation required at the upper shock mount. No cutting, no welding. All mounting hardware is included. The RID12162401 is backed by Ridetech's exclusive 1,000,001-mile shock warranty and is manufactured in Jasper, Indiana.

What's Included with the RID12162401

This kit ships as a complete front air suspension kit with everything needed to install both front corners. The following components are included:

Not included and required separately: Air compressor and air management control system. Air lines from the compressor to the ShockWave fittings are also not included.

What Are HQ Series ShockWaves

A ShockWave is Ridetech's patented integrated air spring and shock absorber assembly. Where a traditional air ride setup uses separate air bags and separate shock absorbers, the ShockWave combines both into a single coilover-format unit. The shock body sits concentrically within the air spring, so the assembly mounts exactly like a coilover strut. This design eliminates the packaging complexity of separate bag-and-shock setups and allows precise shock valving tuned specifically for the spring rates the air bag delivers at real-world pressures.

This kit uses the HQ (Handling Quality) Series designation, which represents Ridetech's current-generation v3.0 platform built around Fox Racing monotube internals. The result is coilover-grade handling with the instant ride height adjustability that only an air spring can deliver. Raise the front, lower the front, or set it to your preferred driving height with a change in pressure. Shock calibrations are the product of more than 20 years of Ridetech air ride development across street, highway, and track environments specifically tuned for the weight and geometry of these full-size Ford and Mercury platforms.

Air Spring Specifications

Shock Absorber Specifications

These ShockWaves use a Fox Racing monotube shock absorber (internal part number 982-10-802) built specifically for this Ridetech application. Fox Racing Shox is a US company, and the monotube design provides more consistent damping performance than twin-tube shocks under sustained use. Key specifications:

Fitment for the 1960-1964 Galaxie Front HQ ShockWaves

This kit is engineered for OEM stock control arm geometry on full-size 1960-1964 Ford and 1961-1964 Mercury platforms. No modification to the factory front subframe or control arms is required. Fitment applies to all engine and drivetrain configurations within these model lines. Confirm your specific model year and model name before ordering. Mercury fitment begins with 1961; there is no 1960 Mercury application for this SKU.

Full Specifications

Made in the USA

The RID12162401 is designed, engineered, and assembled in Jasper, Indiana at Ridetech's US manufacturing facility. Ridetech has been building American-made suspension systems since 1996. The Fox Racing monotube shock absorbers are produced by Fox Racing Shox, also a US company. When you order this kit, you are buying a product built in America with American-engineered components to a standard developed over more than 20 years of air ride development on the street, highway, and track.

Warranty

1,000,001-Mile Shock Warranty (Transferable)
Ridetech's shock absorber warranty covers all HQ Series shocks purchased after January 1, 2013 for 1,000,001 miles. If your shocks wear out, ship them to Ridetech for evaluation and repair. Ridetech pays return shipping; you pay inbound. Obvious external damage from accidents or component abrasion is excluded, as are labor and installation charges. To activate coverage, register your purchase at ridetech.com/shockwarranty within 30 days of purchase. This warranty transfers to a subsequent owner if the shocks are re-registered at the same warranty site.

12-Month General Product Warranty (Non-Transferable)
All non-shock components are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for 12 months from the date of purchase. This warranty applies to the original purchaser only and requires the product to remain installed on the original vehicle. The warranty is void if the product is removed and reinstalled on a different vehicle, not properly installed, installed on the wrong vehicle, installed on a racing vehicle, installed contrary to Ridetech instructions, or if the product is altered, misused, repaired, or damaged in an accident, road impact, or by negligence. Normal wear items including bushings and cosmetic issues are excluded. Ridetech's liability under this warranty is limited to repair or replacement of the defective product at Ridetech's option. Ridetech is not liable for labor, removal and installation costs, towing, shipping, additional parts, or consequential damages. To initiate a warranty claim, obtain an RMA number at ridetech.com and include proof of purchase.

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Notice
Both warranties described above are limited written warranties as defined under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. Under that Act, Ridetech cannot void your warranty solely because you pair this kit with a non-Ridetech air compressor or control system unless Ridetech can demonstrate that the non-Ridetech component caused the specific failure being claimed. You are not required to use Ridetech-branded air management equipment to maintain warranty coverage. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the limitations above may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

California Proposition 65 Warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including those known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the RID12162401 fit a 1960 Mercury?
No. Mercury fitment begins with the 1961 model year. The 1961 model year was the first year full-size Mercury rode on the same platform geometry this kit is calibrated for. If you have a 1961-1964 Mercury Monterey, Montclair, Colony Park, Commuter, Marauder, or Park Lane, this kit applies. There is no 1960 Mercury fitment for this part.

Will the RID12162401 work on a 1960-1961 Ford Starliner?
Yes. The Ford Starliner is confirmed in the fitment list for 1960 and 1961. The Starliner was discontinued after the 1961 model year, so there is no 1962-1964 Starliner application. If you have a 1960 or 1961 Starliner with stock front control arms, this kit installs directly.

Does this kit require welding?
No welding is required to install the front RID12162401 ShockWaves. The assembly bolts into the OEM front suspension geometry using the supplied trunnion hardware and control arm reinforcement plate. The only modification to the vehicle is a single 3/4 in. hole at the upper shock mount location, drillable with a Unibit step bit. If you later add the Ridetech bolt-on 4-link rear system (part 12167199) to complete the air ride conversion, that rear system requires a small amount of welding at four tabs on the rear axle tube. The front ShockWaves themselves require no welding at any step.

What air compressor and control system do I need for these Ridetech ShockWaves?
An air compressor and air management control system are required to operate these ShockWaves but are not included. Ridetech sells complete air management kits separately. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, you are not required to purchase a Ridetech-branded system to maintain warranty coverage; Ridetech cannot void the warranty solely because you use a third-party compressor or management system unless that third-party component is shown to have caused the failure. You will also need to route 1/4 in. airline from your compressor to the push-to-connect fittings on each ShockWave.

Can I pair these front ShockWaves with rear shocks and a 4-link for a complete air ride system?
Yes. This is the front component of Ridetech's full air ride system for these vehicles. Ridetech part 21150801 is the corresponding rear HQ ShockWave set (5 in. travel, rolling sleeve design, $945.00). Ridetech part 12167199 is the bolt-on 4-link rear suspension system. All three parts together are bundled as part 12160298, the complete air suspension system for the 1960-1964 Ford Galaxie and Mercury. Purchasing the components separately gives you the option to stage the build or pair the front ShockWaves with an existing rear setup.

Are these ShockWaves compatible with the 1965-1972 Ford Galaxie?
No. The 1965-1972 Galaxie uses different front suspension geometry. Ridetech makes a separate kit for those vehicles: part 12302401, the Front HQ ShockWaves for 1965-1972 Ford Galaxie and Mercury, priced at $975.00. This part covers only the 1960-1964 full-size Ford and 1961-1964 full-size Mercury platforms. Do not cross-fit these two part numbers.

What is the 24-position rebound adjustment and how do I use it?
The 24-position rebound adjuster controls how quickly the shock extends after compression. A softer rebound setting (more positions toward soft) allows the suspension to recover more quickly, which improves ride comfort over rough pavement. A firmer setting slows the extension, reducing body float and nose dive during braking, which improves handling feel. The adjuster knob sits at the top of the shock body and is accessible under the hood without removing any components. Ridetech recommends starting at a mid-range setting and adjusting one or two clicks at a time until the ride character suits your driving style and vehicle weight.

How do I set the ride height on these Ridetech front ShockWaves?
Ride height is set by adjusting air pressure in the ShockWaves. Ridetech's baseline recommendation for the front of a 1960-1964 full-size Ford or Mercury is approximately 90 psi, but the exact pressure varies based on vehicle weight, load distribution, and your preferred stance. The assembly is at ride height dimension (11.00 in. center to center) at that baseline pressure. Raise pressure to lift the front; reduce pressure to lower it. Do not drive the vehicle deflated with the suspension resting on the bump stop, as this will damage the ShockWave and void the warranty. Do not drive overinflated in a topped-out condition, as this can damage the shock valving.

Does the Ridetech 1,000,001-mile warranty transfer to a new owner if I sell the car?
Yes. The shock absorber warranty is explicitly transferable. If you sell the vehicle, the new owner can re-register the shocks at ridetech.com/shockwarranty to transfer coverage into their name. Note that the 12-month general warranty covering non-shock components is not transferable and applies only to the original purchaser with the product installed on the original vehicle.

Do these ShockWaves work with modified or aftermarket front control arms?
This kit is calibrated and warranted for use with OEM stock front control arms. Ridetech states this application is for stock suspension geometry. If your vehicle has been modified with aftermarket control arms, tubular arms, or altered front geometry, contact Ridetech directly before ordering to confirm compatibility. Installing the kit on incompatible geometry can affect handling, create contact/rubbing issues, and will void the warranty per Ridetech's installation requirements.