what are the differences between the cast iron radius arms and the stamped steel ones (other then the obviuos )

I've seen a few 73-75 f250s with cast radius arms. My 79 f150 has stamped steel radius arms.

are the cast arms a F250 specific part or are they a earlier design and thats why i haven't seen them on later 70's trucks?

early cast/late stamped?
or
F250 cast/F150 stamped?

 

Earlier model 250/350's came with cast arms. I think the change to all stamped arms was in '77. The arms are the same for 250's and 350's. The arms are different between the 150 and 250/350.

 

Thanks

Are the stamped or cast arms stronger?

 

I think the stamped ones are/were cheaper to make.

 

I believe the early models are forged steel, as camber alignment is effected by bending the beam, which a casting would not tolerate. In any event, cast or forged employs a king-pin whereas the stamped employs ball-joints. The earlier method will, IMHO, will take more abuse that the later design, although there is nothing inherenty wrong with it (compared to the earlier design). My 78 F-150 has the forged as does my 77 F-250 and there is no difference I can see. If there is a difference between 150/250/350 forged I-beams, I am curious as to the particulars.

 

They look cast, but could be forged.

these are the radiss arms, not the I-beams

 

I hate it when I do that.