Hello to all, I am usually found in the 61-66 forum but have a topic that pertains to anyone with a 65 through 79 2WD truck that wants to lower there truck, such as I do. So, here's the dilemma. I have been researching how to best lower my 66 F100 for months now and everytime I seem to reach a decision, I read some thing negative about either the product or method of lowering a king pin twin I-beam style truck. Needless to say this has left me a bit frustrated. Now I know that everyone here has either an opinion or something they have done that worked or didn't. That is not what this is about. If you have done something to your truck and it works for you, then great. I have read a lot of threads, both here and on other forums regarding the CV swap, and for me, that is just not a feasible solution. So the other option is looking at dropped I-beams. I have read a lot about both DJM and AIM and quite frankly both options leave me a bit concerned . Before I got my slick, I had a 1996 F350 Supercab Dually. I bought it with 27000 on the clock and drove it for 12 years. When I sold it last year It had 225000 on the clock. The whole time I owned the truck It never left me stranded and ran beautifully with the 460 in it. The 2 reasons I sold it were for 1. Fuel Mileage and 2. I wanted a 66 F100. The Dually had been lowered before I bought it utilizing a Bell Tech 3/6 dropped I-beams and rear shackle kit. Like I said, I put just shy of 200000 miles on this truck without a single issue with the suspension. With that said I decided to contact Bell Tech to see if they had or were going to be producing I-beams for the 65-79 Kingpin style trucks. I spoke to Brent in Customer service and he was really nice. He told me there were no plans for these but he said he would pass my contact info to the head of R&D. Now for the reason I am posting this thread. If we can get as many of this group as we can to call Bell Tech, maybe they will understand there is a need for a quality dropped I-beam for our trucks. So, please contact Bell Tech at 1-800-445-3767 and give them your request or even tell them what you don't like about the other brands. This will show them there is a demand. Here are a few pics of the dually. I used this truck as it was meant to be used. Thanks for reading this long rant.

 

I would prefer Belltech consider dropped spindles instead of dropped I-beams.

 

I think it may have something to do with how the weight of the front end is supported. If the spindle snout were moved up in relation to the beam the snout may be more prone to failure. However, this is just my opinion.

 

what is wrong with the DJM's?

 

Well, Belltech offers lowering spindles for 73-06 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton GM truck so I'd invite them to engineer a set for these rigs.

 

I have had AIM dropped I beams on my 76 F100 in the past never had a problem. Up graded to Mustang II with bags. I have a set of DJM currently on my 2006 F250 Crewcab since new before that I had the same set on my 1999 F250 Crewcab from about 2001 until 2006. never once had a problem

 

Since I dont know anything about what you are asking, I'll just say...

Thats a lot of freakin wood lol

 

hahaha, that's what I was thinking!!

 

That's what she said! LOL

 

This is my exact though. I'd be scared as heck of a cast spindle on a setup like this based on how the design would have to be.


But the chevy's are A-arm design = the uprights (spindles) are attached both at the top & bottom.

 

The price for one! $600 is a lot of cheese for some hunks of metal!

 

2wds use kingpins... same principle.

 

but the spindle/snout needs to be located to above the top connection point of the kingpin for it to be a "drop" upright. The problem here is the leverage/force is then pushing against a cast piece above it's connection point. This is what worries me. The moment (point of force being applied) on the upright (spindle) is above the kingpin from what I envision.

Kind of hard to explain using words rather than pics, so hopefully this makes sense.

 

No need to explain. I understand your concern. It's the point where the load is being applied. In essence, the point at which the "twist" occurs. I-beams function more vertically than laterally. However, I'd still like Belltech or Ground Force to engineer their way out of it. Pipe dream?? Probably given the $$ for tooling, forging/casting.

 

Twisting was the lesser of my concerns. It's the up/down motion that the tire normally takes when hitting bumps that gets me.

Forgings would be a muuuuuuch better idea for this situation, but my guess is they won't do that. Too much cost & not enough demand. Casting is cheaper/easier, but also weaker.


On a side note - I'm surprised I don't see more guys pie cut, weld & plate the beams or just make custom beams using the beam ends like many desert guys do. Then again with the fab work involved i guess guys would be more likely to do the crown vic. swap.