Bending beams
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
A good heavy truck shop should have the equipment to bend the beams. If I saw a shop trying to bend mine with a bottle jack and a chain, the manager would get an ear full. If a truck with I-beams comes into the shop for an alignment and the camber is off, the customer gets an explanation and is sent on his/her way.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
That's not to say you couldn't make a fixture for beam bending. I wouldn't be using chain though; 3/8" plate would be more like it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
What's complicated about passing a couple of shops that can't do it right and pull in to one that knows how ? I live way out in the farm country and can drive 15 miles north or east to a couple of small towns ' 20,000 pop. 'and pull in to a shop that can do it. Or go another 20 miles and find 3 or 4 in a larger town. So , what's complicated about that ?
.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
I am in the same boat, love the Autofab solution but don't want that much lift or expense and although I have not talked to them they only list 1/2 ton kits on the web site.
I would love to get 1.5" - 2" on the front of my F350 SC!
If you find a shop that can do it in the San Diego area let me know!
I would love to get 1.5" - 2" on the front of my F350 SC!
If you find a shop that can do it in the San Diego area let me know!
i have a 2wd 76 super cab f150. I am currently running 33 red labels on stock suspension. Everything clears, however it is time to lift the front a little. I have been looking at the auto fab stuff and I know it is great, however I really don't want to pull the beams and switch everything out. The beams I have now are nice and tight and the brakes and bearings are all new. When I lifted my 86 ranger a 100 years ago, I just installed a 6" coil and drove (carefully) to an alignment shop in el cajon I believe (I think it was north county alignment). They put the truck on the rack and bent the beams as necessary. This was back before everyone used longer radius arms as well. That truck worked great, and it seems like I could do the same thing here. Am I missing something?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
I am in the same boat, love the Autofab solution but don't want that much lift or expense and although I have not talked to them they only list 1/2 ton kits on the web site.
I would love to get 1.5" - 2" on the front of my F350 SC!
If you find a shop that can do it in the San Diego area let me know!
I would love to get 1.5" - 2" on the front of my F350 SC!
If you find a shop that can do it in the San Diego area let me know!
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, Ca
I am in the same boat, love the Autofab solution but don't want that much lift or expense and although I have not talked to them they only list 1/2 ton kits on the web site.
I would love to get 1.5" - 2" on the front of my F350 SC!
If you find a shop that can do it in the San Diego area let me know!
I would love to get 1.5" - 2" on the front of my F350 SC!
If you find a shop that can do it in the San Diego area let me know!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, SoCal
the shops called East County Alignment, on Mission Gorge rd.
to the OP, swapin out beams and isn't too bad, Autofab uses new pivot point bushings, and kings pins aren't too tough. their 3" econo lift would be perfect for 33's, and you wont need radius arms, although they do make a nice upgrade for steering feel.
to the OP, swapin out beams and isn't too bad, Autofab uses new pivot point bushings, and kings pins aren't too tough. their 3" econo lift would be perfect for 33's, and you wont need radius arms, although they do make a nice upgrade for steering feel.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, SoCal
other shops will chain the beam, than bolt on a long "pry bar", heat the beams, and then use leverage to bend the beam to the desired degree. sketch-tastic! but it gets the job done. Autofab uses a 100-ton press
here's some info on my truck... pm me if I can help any
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-2wd-f250.html
here's some info on my truck... pm me if I can help any
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-2wd-f250.html
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, Ca
Thanks 76 hauler,
East County Alignment..."that's it"
I have been looking at your 76, in fact it comes up when you do google searches for lifted 2wd old fords. The stance that yours has is what I'm looking for. Now you listed yours as a 4" lift, however when I visit the auto fab site it offers a 3 (econo, no radius arms) and a 5 which does use longer radius arms. Would yours be what they consider the 5 or 3, or is there a 4 as well?
East County Alignment..."that's it"
I have been looking at your 76, in fact it comes up when you do google searches for lifted 2wd old fords. The stance that yours has is what I'm looking for. Now you listed yours as a 4" lift, however when I visit the auto fab site it offers a 3 (econo, no radius arms) and a 5 which does use longer radius arms. Would yours be what they consider the 5 or 3, or is there a 4 as well?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, SoCal
I had the 5" coils, but with the heavy 460 and full sheet metal (no fiber glass hood or fenders) John at autofab said it would lift it up 4". After the engine build using aluminum heads, and ditching the front bumper, she popped up about an 1" or so. I went ahead and did the longer radius arms, and glad I did! Adding caster took away a lot of bump steer. The 3" would be perfect for 33's, she'll look beefy.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Hemet, Ca
I had the 5" coils, but with the heavy 460 and full sheet metal (no fiber glass hood or fenders) John at autofab said it would lift it up 4". After the engine build using aluminum heads, and ditching the front bumper, she popped up about an 1" or so. I went ahead and did the longer radius arms, and glad I did! Adding caster took away a lot of bump steer. The 3" would be perfect for 33's, she'll look beefy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Must be government work...no less than seven guys standing around watching one piece of machinery do all the work....god bless America
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
.
Probably newbies that have heard of but never saw it done since the beam axle is a thing from the past.
.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 2
From: Oregon