AIM dropped I beams
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AIM dropped I beams
The dropped AIM I-beams I ordered came today. Looks like I will be getting out the WD40 and firing up the air compressor. I have a 66 F100 Custom Cab style side short bed with 78 I beams and power disc brakes. I will probably post some comments during the exchange. Anyone done this before?
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I have Aim drop I-Beams on a 1980. The Ball joints that were pressed into the beams were not the right length and size for my spindles. I have heard of AIM shipping the wrong year of I-beams as well, might want to check before you get them fully installed.
Hope you have better luck with them than I did. Post some pics too!
66MM
Hope you have better luck with them than I did. Post some pics too!
66MM
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AIM I-Beams
66MM,
I looked them over yesterday and they seem to match. I have kingpins and they also sent the correct tierod relocater for disc brakes. I am going to get a better look at the situation today. I am not sure about what is needed for the installation regarding the bushings, the ones in my spindles in particular. I don't want to tear things up and then realize that a machine shop will have to do some work on them.
I looked them over yesterday and they seem to match. I have kingpins and they also sent the correct tierod relocater for disc brakes. I am going to get a better look at the situation today. I am not sure about what is needed for the installation regarding the bushings, the ones in my spindles in particular. I don't want to tear things up and then realize that a machine shop will have to do some work on them.
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Eric,
The beams are not tubular and have an I beam configuration as the picture shows on their website and possibly lighter. I did not want tubular beams. These are not going to win any SEMA billet ridden finish awards, in fact they are on the "flintstones" side as that goes. Not something you would want to show off, the tierod relocaters are very clunky, I may try to clean up the rough edges for a better look. BTW, I am taking the whole shebang to the machine shop to have the kingpins done.
The beams are not tubular and have an I beam configuration as the picture shows on their website and possibly lighter. I did not want tubular beams. These are not going to win any SEMA billet ridden finish awards, in fact they are on the "flintstones" side as that goes. Not something you would want to show off, the tierod relocaters are very clunky, I may try to clean up the rough edges for a better look. BTW, I am taking the whole shebang to the machine shop to have the kingpins done.
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Had a machine shop do the kingpins on the AIM I beams this morning and got them back to the house this afternoon. Installed one tie rod relocators and pulled the threads on one of the mounting nuts with an endwrench. Hmmm... tossing out that stuff and will be at the hardware store tomorrow to get some real grade 8 nuts and bolts. I'll be back.
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From: P-dot, Manitoba
Originally Posted by 6t6merc
Are the dropped beams any lighter than the originals? I remember seeing a product that was made of welded tubing. Is that what you've got?
Eric
Eric
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Oh ya, that reminds me, I had to get bolts also. I had trouble finding the right bolts at any of the bolt supply houses. I could find the right size and length, but the threads were about an inch too short. I ended up using a heavy duty tap or Die(which ever one) to continue the threads. FWIW.
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I-Beams
I thought that one company had round tube drop I-beams and another had rectangular tube drop I-beams??? (but I don't recall which had which) Did AIM change their design to an actual I-Beam shape??
Also, I've heard complaints about them being too long and thus making the front track width wider (again I don't recall which manufacturer) - how do yours compare in that respect??
Thanks for the info!!!
Also, I've heard complaints about them being too long and thus making the front track width wider (again I don't recall which manufacturer) - how do yours compare in that respect??
Thanks for the info!!!
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From: Atlanta
AIM Drop I-Beams
I installed my AIM I-beams about 5 years ago. The only problem I had was that the tapered pin hole that keeps the kingpin in place was way too large on the pass side. I had to make a larger pin- no biggie, just an aggravation. And yes, the front track is wider than the rear.
But, it sure looks cooler and corners alittle better.
Have fun!
Alan
But, it sure looks cooler and corners alittle better.
Have fun!
Alan
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I realize the front track width is wider than the rear - they are that way from the factory with stock I-beams.
What I was asking is if the drop beams make that difference even greater - ie are the drop I-beams wider (longer) than the stock I-beams??
What I was asking is if the drop beams make that difference even greater - ie are the drop I-beams wider (longer) than the stock I-beams??