I-Beam welding?

[Kraig]

Can you weld the front I-beams? With the price of dropped I-Beams I was wondering if I could cut, reposition and gusset the stock I-Beams to lower the front of my '72? I used to be a certified aircraft welder/machinist, so welding skill is not a problem.........What are the I-Beams made of?

[customcrewcab]

i think they are cast. i would not weld on cast because it can become brittle and may crack. the price of rod for cast to weld that cost a bunch. there are a bunch of places that make drop i-beams or you could use a mustang II. maybe you can build your own just have a machine shop make the parts where the bushings and other parts go into. this would be much safer then using the old ones.

[FORDification]

Actually, this question came up a while back and I was informed that the I-beams are forged steel. I've know people who have welded on them, by adding another mount for a second shock absorber.

[Ditchdigger]

I have done this which lowers the front 4". If you want more information I can post it. http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... os=37[url]

[tazzman68]

I have done this which lowers the front 4". If you want more information I can post it. http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... os=37[url]

Yes please!

[willowbilly3]

You might check with these guys. I am trying to find a tech article I saw on heating and dropping the old Ford axles. It was and still is a common practice for hotrodders and I think maybe it could be done to the I beams too.

We can drop most I-beams. I prefer to talk rather than type, so if you want to know more about this please call and I'll be happy to help.

Dave Mann
http://www.roadsters.com/
(602) 233-8400 any day until late

[shortbedCUSTOM]

I have done this which lowers the front 4". If you want more information I can post it. http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... os=37[url]

Yes please!

I'd like to know also. My truck is entirely too high.

[cobraF100]

Willowbilly,Thanks

Dave Mann
http://www.roadsters.com/
(602) 233-8400 any day until late

I'm going give them a call.

[willowbilly3]

Check out this tech article. I think with some modification to the jig to maintain camber, this could work on an I-beam
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/show ... 066&page=1

[CACWBY]

I am not a scientist but I think I beams are both cast and forged. They are cast pieces that are then "Heat" forged to make them stronger. Am I full of it? Or is this correct? I know hot rodders have used the heat and beat method to drop One Piece I Beam axles, and Once upon a time there was a guy who was selling his own version of our axles with 4 to 6 inch drops (Po'Boy or something like that), I saved the ad for years, but when I was finally ready to do something he was out of business, and the only aftermarket was AIM & DJM. Lowering with these I beams limits you to 3" - which isn't bad, but not really LOW. The extra couple inches with lowering/cut springs really cuts into ride comfort on all but the smoothest roads. If I had to do over I'd do an IFS and a 4 link rear and a basic air bag system. But I've never ridden in a bagged car so I don't really know if they are Hype or really do ride better at 5-6" lower.
If you are going to have the engine out, and truly want lower and better, a newer method for IFS is using an Aerostar IFS. Greg the Truck Farmer over at Slick 60's (a forum for 61-66 generation F100 nuts) and Classic Truck World, has done it and has pix and an article on it.

[67f100]

Trevor! Your the man!

[customcrewcab]

the welding on the i-beams scares me. i have buddies who build industrial and prototype stuff and they said they would not do it. how can you really feel safe. the truck weighs alote more then a roadster. i am using a fatmans mustang II cross member which is thicker then my f-350 frame. its easy to install, weighs alot less and looks alot cleaner. the big thing i also like was the fact i did not have to cut or stub my frame, not steering box in the way. i had a truck with a ltd frame stub and never trusted it. its ok to do but i would much rather have its done in the back.

http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... ?album=126

[CACWBY]

Willowbilly,Thanks

Dave Mann
http://www.roadsters.com/
(602) 233-8400 any day until late

I'm going give them a call.

This was News. Also this site has the Greatest Links!!!!!

[67f100]

I've had Roadsters.com on my favorites list for a long time. Us old Ford truck guys sometimes need to think outside the box, just like the street rod/hot rod guys have been doing for three decades. Really, these trucks wear out and original stuff is getting harder and harder to get so finding innovative ways to keep 'em going is going to get more important all the time. rick

[CACWBY]

heres a link to a place that sells them. but they are over 600

my truck has a mustang II with bags here
http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... ?album=126

OH Man O Man O Man OH !!! You are working on One Kool Ride there CustomCrewCab.

Everyone should look at these pictures. I want to see this in person.

I hope this isn't some photo shop fun thing. If it is I gonna be ticked.