As much as I hate to gamble on airbagit/ chassis tech, everytime I see a pic of DJM dream beams I cant get over the wonky construction where they stacked and welded plate and welded a piece of DOM for the kingpin instead of machining a solid chunk.

Belltech is out of the game and I'm not interested in doing a front clip. I've seen some threads on these forums from users who bought chassis tech and am aware of the poor experiences some went through with customer service, but am still soliciting remarks about the lowering beams themselves as it seems those are the least offending aspect of dealing with airbagit.com

The truck is a 302 equiped '69 Ranger F-100

 

Welcome to FTE and the Bumpside Kingdom.


I can not give you an opinion since I personally am not in to lowering more than what the DLM beams have given others on here. And I'm not 100% sure of what you are asking for opinions on. But I am curious, how low do you want to go? You said not interested in clipping it. Is that because that would be to low or you want the lowering to be more bolt on?

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and response.

A clip would be too low for me, I want to retain the 5x5.5 lug pattern, and mostly I want to stay bolt on as this truck has been in the family and is a real baby doll, and as a daily driver it's like a time machine. I only want to bring it down enough to put the tires just above the wells where I like the stance

Sorry if my question was a bit convoluted. I'm asking about the build quality, accuracy, and for any other remarks about chassis tech beams as the DJM beams appear a strange design construction to me.

Or maybe a correction if there are folks who believe the DJM beams are better, but from what I've seen it would take some convincing.

 

Somewhat limited options so pick your poison.

.... I went with DJMs and a Fatman Fab axle flip.... aka "spring-under". Works great.... Bilstein front shocks, poly bushings, and a 75-79 front sway bar adds to the performance experience.

 

I went with DJM beams, and DJM hanger and shackles in the back. I would like it a bit lower, but won't sacrifice front end alignment, and don't want to notch the rear. The DJM beams seem plenty strong, and installed pretty easily. The only thing I really dislike is the goofy silvervein powder coating. It was flaking in a few spots when I opened the box. I bought them from Summit and got the best price, and free shipping.

 

Eventually, I'll probably install DJM beams on my truck. However, I do not like the hammer tone powder coat finish on them. At least 5 or 6 years ago, the beams could be bought in plain (bare) steel and you could put your own finish on them. This is not the case anymore.

I've read several accounts of people saying the coating was flaking off their beams. This is most likely due to the powder coater not preheating the beams in the oven to burn off impurities before coating them and putting them back in the oven to cure the finish. --skipping a step to cut production costs.

 

I'm running the DJM beams and I happy. They installed correctly and everything seems good quality.

 

Thank you all for the feedback.

Pretty much what I expected, the DJM's seem a much more popular choice. But man I'm having difficulty with their construction, and yes the silvervein chip prone coating.

Whatever I decide I'll definitely do shocks, bushings, and anti sway bar- and provide a follow up to hopefully help inform the next guy.

 

I'm about ready to start on my truck, so I am watching with interest!

Sixtiesmusclecarguy, your truck looks great! I looked through your album and I was wondering exactly what you did to it. Three-inch dream beams and one coil cut in front, right? What about in the rear? I see you changed it 3 times. Could you elaborate on the three changes? Sorry to be a PIA! Maybe the info was there and I just missed it. Just trying to get the plan together for my own truck!

 

I'm running the DJM beams and flipped axle, and would not want to change a thing.

 

No Problem,
I followed everybody doing this lowering before i did mine and saw different folks doing it dif ways and looked at all the photos before starting Mine..... I went with Installing dream beams and The DJM hanger/shackle kit first. I also had my Wheel/tire comb decided on. I decided front wasn't quite low enough for me. So I cut One coil in front....Now its perfect,but rear to high so I did what William william did to his truck and removed a leaf and the helper spring.......Then it sat to Low, so I put the leaf back in, and kept helper out.....Just right for ME now with my wheels/tires. The rear hangers and shackles also have Two positions as well so there are a lot of variables when you do this on the rear......

Finished Truck Has:
-275/60/15's rear 215/70/15 front tires
-One Coil Cut ( slight neg Camber after settling/ alignment )
- DJM Dream beams -New Kingpins-New Bushings-New Sport Shocks
- Rear Hanger /Shackle Kit Bolted in Lower (top viewing) position on Both.
- has 4 Total longest standard leaf springs- No Helper spring on Rear
- new sport short shocks on rear
- front and rear have 1 inch clearance from a standard untrimmed snubber
- It hits snubber on a large hole etc but not normally
-Truck has very little lean now and suspension travel is nice and tight !!
-Spaced rear wheels out 1 1/2 inch

 

Jon, I'm NOT a fabricator so My question is "do you see the DJM beams as having Flawed construction" ? Has anyone on this Forum or another ever had a DJM Beam Failure ??
I haven't read of one??

 

Also Guys,
My Truck sat about Like Randles AWESOME ride before I cut the coil. I wanted a little lower in front....... Randle, I admit I love Your lower stripes on your truck so I stole your Look....Just went with a GT style stripe from a 66 Fairlane and narrowed it to fit.....

 

Thanks for the info! And thanks for being willing to share it! I'll post up pics of mine when I get everything started!

 

DJM beams on mine and shackle kit in back with a new set of leafs (lightest rating). Front coils I used were out of my 77 parts truck and I think I trimmed 3/4" coil to get the caster good.