i-beam bend

[1970F250]

has any one tryed to bend the i-beams for a lift themselves? my dad wants to try but i dont

[boots]

Are you talking about bending your i-beams after putting lift coils on your front end to correct camber? If you are then I assume you are going to be bending them with heat. I was thinking about doing it before but I was told by alot of people that heat will weaken your I-beams, then I talked to a guy online and he went down to his local shop and the owner (40+ years experience) said that you can make a jig so you get the same bend on both i-beams, use heat, and then put a fire or welding blanket over it and let it cool by itself. I went and chose to drop my i beams instead of bending them. Also, I dont think anyone on the forum has bent their i-beams. I have never actually seen anyone that has done it.

[oldhalftons]

the art of bending beams (and it is an art) right is pretty much dead

there used to be lots of places that did it but independent suspension in everything killed the custom bending of strait axles and our I-beams.

Don't try to do it yourself.
Autofab still does it and their prices are not that bad considering that they do it right. Don't kill yourself in a truck with bent beams that weren't done right.
and lost their temper or worse became brittle.

http://www.autofab.com/

[1970F250]

thanks guys

[oldschoolrods]

The shop i work at still bends I-beams, DO NOT use heat and DO NOT try yourself without the proper gauges, the way its done is to use 2 horeshoe like pieces that go over the axle, chain it off then use a porta power.

[flyboy2610]

And do not try doing something like this with chain purchased at a hardware store. That stuff isn't up to the job. If it snaps under stress it'll hit you before you hear the snap. You MIGHT survive the experience!

[Stroked]

Ouch!

[1970F250]

[~X~]

I have been studying I beams for quite awhile and have come up with all kinds of info. Here is what I know: I do know that guys have been heating and dropping straight axles for a long time. When you stretch a Model A axle it decreases the track width, usually about 3/4" to over 1" depending on the axle and the amount of drop you are getting. Most of the old straight axles you find that are dropped started out alot smaller diameter than a ford Twin I Beam. These axles (I Beams) are VERY tough! It takes alot of heat to stretch an axle from one of our trucks. This is a delicate business and not over stretching is very important. So is proper cooling of the metal when done stretching. I really want to use old school hot rod tech and apply it to modern axles. Buying a set of dropped I beams is not on my list of things to do either.And yes, I know these trucks are much heavier than a Model A, I know because i have one of those too! Here are some pics of what I have come up with so far, one pic is of my I beam jig and the other is of a Model A axle being dropped:

[~X~]

Now the Model A

[~X~]

Some old dropped axles...

[~X~]

Now, theres a company in the bay area called MorDrop. The old guy there has been dropping axles there for decades! He quoted me $400 for 4' of drop and $500 for 5' and I know theres a huge liability but it CAN be done. ~X~

[460 crew]

So.....I'm sittin here thinkin you could also be bending the other direction and having some lifted I beams that a few members would be interested in

[heep70]

True, but I would wonder how they would hold up if someone went rock hoping?

[460 crew]

Autofabs beams are bent also, but just because their one of the only 2wd lift companies for the older fords dosen't make them the best. My buddy is getting a set of autofab beams and the rest of the kit from a guy used,for my old 95 that he bought from my brother. I'm sure we'll put it to the test, so i'll have to report back after beeing stranded in the desert.... or not hopefully.