I recently watched an episode of junk yard wars and they took a 1966 ford 2WD truck. I think a f100 and fliped the front I beam to raise the truck. It worked with no other parts, it ran and drove as well. My question is is this really possible and how much lift will I get?

 

Anything is possible with a plasma cutter, a grinder, and a welder. The crew at junkward wars don't build daily drivers though....

--Mike

 

Doing some searches in the forums(I should have done that before posting) There are some people who have done it and they say it is easy. theonly thing that needs to be changed is somthing with the kingpin. IO searched for I beam flip and suspention 2WD lift

 

The angle will be off. Caster/camber *(which is which again )...camber I think? The angle of the kingpin is tipped in at the top. This helps the wheels return to center. I don't think you would rebend the beam to correct for this.

Ya, you could do it, but it would wear tires terribly if not corrected. Plus I think in high speed it would be very squirrely.

 

So I could do it then bring it to my local suspention shop and they could do an adjustment to caster and camber, or alignment and I should be ok?

 

I would suggest checking with your alignment shop first. Setting the caster/camber to correct should entail having to bend the beams. Lot of shops won't touch that one.... I'm guessing that you would need to pull the kingpins and swap the spindles. That would allow for the brake slave cylinder to be relocated back to the top of the brake unit where it belongs so that your hoses can be connected correctly. If you are looking to lift a 2 wheel drive, look at a body lift. if you want a suspension lift, do it right with a complete kit or it will cost more in the long run.

--Mike

 

I saw the same show - it worked, but I would not do it on a truck used on the public roads. The tires had a masive camber problem - and that could not be fixed with just an alignment.

 

Ok Well that blows that idea. I saw a pic of a truck on here that did it though, that's alot of ground clearence. :-) where can I can a suspension and body lift for a '71 2WD. I can find them for 4WD all day long but not 2WD.

Patrick

 

u cant find them for 2wd cause,well,in my opinion it doesnt make anysence to lift a 2wd...dont yell though,its just an opinion...

 

I agree with you somewhat, but around here 4X4's go for alot of money even if not in ok shape. I just figuted that a 2WD with a lift and a winch will get me out of most trouble. It's better than no truck at all.

 

A body lift that covers the years through 79 should work for you. I had a buddy that cut a 3 inch in half and put it on his 78. Looked nice and allowed for bigger tires (more ground clearance)

--Mike

 

true any truck is better then none(even a chevy.)

 

Had to jump in. I am in the middle of doing/trying the flip on my 71' crew. I have already talked to an alignment shop here in town that said he could fix the out of alignment problems. One thing that no one here has mentioned, that I have specified in another post. Is that geometrically the i-beams will not realign back correctly.Gallery.
Actually, I argued against doing this; from previous research. But as time went on and my truck sat in the drive for a while; I thought why not try.
Back to the geometry thing. You could, either straighten out the i-beam and re-bend them back the opposite way in order for them to fit. Or, you could add (2) new pivot mounts opposite the existing and they would line right up geometrically.
I understand the other issues. But, this is the biggest that hasn't been mentioned in this or other posts.

Robert P.

 

Wouldn't be a lot simpler, and safer to use the AutoFab 5" lift?
I feel that my life, and most others around me would be worth at least spending the few extra bucks to do the job right.

Patrick

 

its not that hard to flip a front end