Any differences in ibeams?
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Any differences in ibeams?
I finally got the rest of the major components for the front disc brake upgrade. I have already purchased a new master cylinder, booster, and mounting bracket combo setup. The donor truck is a '74 model. The first time I went to get the parts I was just going to get the spindles and calipers. But I could not get the king pins out where the truck was. So this time I just got everything: steering linkage, ibeams, radius arms, spindles... The king pins look to have been replaced before and they are still good and tight, has brass bushings.
So are there any differences in the ibeams between the two year models. The '66 ibeams are a C5TA casting and the '74 are D2TA castings. The ends of the ibeams look to have more of a tilt back to them on the '74's, like it has more of a positive caster angle to them. Is this right?
So are there any differences in the ibeams between the two year models. The '66 ibeams are a C5TA casting and the '74 are D2TA castings. The ends of the ibeams look to have more of a tilt back to them on the '74's, like it has more of a positive caster angle to them. Is this right?
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I-Beams
Ford made a "running change" on the I-Beams. It may be because the later I Beams are beefier, as they were also used on some F250's.
1965/70 & 1971 F100's before serial # M00,001 use = C6TZ-3006-C / C6TZ-3007-C / Marked C5TA.
1971 F100's after serial # M00, 001 and 1972/74 F100's use = D2TZ-3006-C / D2TZ-3007-C. / Marked: D2TA
1965/70 & 1971 F100's before serial # M00,001 use = C6TZ-3006-C / C6TZ-3007-C / Marked C5TA.
1971 F100's after serial # M00, 001 and 1972/74 F100's use = D2TZ-3006-C / D2TZ-3007-C. / Marked: D2TA
Senior User
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From: Minneapolis
What I noticed when I swapped I beams between my Ford 250 and a later 70's F250 is that the feature preventing the front suspension from drooping too far was changed.
My '65 had clips attached to the I beams that prevent them from drooping too far. The 70's model had clips on the top and bottom of the coil springs instead.
The other major difference I saw was the provision for a sway bar on the radius arms on the later vehicle which wasn't present on the '65.
I'm not sure whether the F150 has the same features/changes, but I would expect so.
My '65 had clips attached to the I beams that prevent them from drooping too far. The 70's model had clips on the top and bottom of the coil springs instead.
The other major difference I saw was the provision for a sway bar on the radius arms on the later vehicle which wasn't present on the '65.
I'm not sure whether the F150 has the same features/changes, but I would expect so.
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
These I-Beams were used on all 1975/79 F100/150's.
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Montana
FWIW- I used a 76 donor and all the parts bolted right in with no problems at all. took about 4 hours to install it all.stearing column and all went in. took a while longer to hook up the brake lines as they were different sized connections. i also converted to C-6 auto so i replaced the brake and clutch pedal assbly. with the one from the donor. it bolted right in including the master cyl. and booster. this went into a 66 F-100 so i cant vouch for 64 and older. Dutch
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I run a total 76 I-beam set under my 66. Yall are welcome to argue over the fine points but I have read about complaints only when parts were mixed and matched, never when the complete set was used, and I have been reading most posts here for about 11 years now.
John
John
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From: seattle
The 65 Beams had the hook to prevent over rebounding I assume and I have only seen these on 65 trucks...both F100s and F250s. These have the hole in the middle of the web of the I beam.
- cs65
- cs65
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I plan to use the '74 ibeams, spindles, and steering linkage under the '66. I have not taken the ibeams off of the '66 yet to do a side by side comparison but it does seem the '74 beams have more positive caster than the '66, idk. Going to measure both on the truck with an angle finder to see if there is a difference. Trying to find some time during work to shot blast the '74 beams and spindles, then replace the pivot bushings and paint. If all goes well maybe I can get them under the truck this weekend.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Central Texas
I plan to use the '74 ibeams, spindles, and steering linkage under the '66. I have not taken the ibeams off of the '66 yet to do a side by side comparison but it does seem the '74 beams have more positive caster than the '66, idk. Going to measure both on the truck with an angle finder to see if there is a difference. Trying to find some time during work to shot blast the '74 beams and spindles, then replace the pivot bushings and paint. If all goes well maybe I can get them under the truck this weekend.
You mentoin caster, but I think you mean camber. Anyway, I believe back in the day they used to bend the axle to adjust the camber, so there will be differences in all of them.
I posted a while back about my axles from a '76 Crew cab. That truck had tall springs and sat up higher than most which requied a pretty good bend in the axles to acheive the proper camber. In order for them to work in my '65 I had to fab some spacers to shim the springs up, effectively simulating the ride height of the '76 to get the camber to work out right. Worked great as the truck sits nearly level with only the slightest rake forward.
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I'm talking about caster. The 3 years I worked as an alignment specialist I never did get any early model trucks in that I had to bend the beams for camber adjustment, but that is the correct way to do it on earlier applications. Doesn't look like I am going to get to shot blast them at work so I am just going to wire wheel them the best I can then spray all little paint on and replace the pivot bushings. Ready to get them under the truck so I can concentrate on the brakes.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Central Texas
Ok, well there is a way to adjust caster too. I bought an offset bushing, similar to what the late models use. You have to drill the lower radius arm to axle hole out in the radius arm to accept the bushing. As you rotate the bushing you affect the caster...works great!
Fleet Owner
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I suspect the reason that caster wasn't effected often is because it would take a pretty hard lick to knock it out. I have seen one donor that had to have a little tug over my 40 years of dealing with the I-beam front end but no other.
John
John
Elder User
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From: Montana
I agree with Jowilker ,when i changed mine from the 76 i didn't have to do anything. about 10 years ago i went to do a alignment on my 66 and they wanted 250.00 bucks cause they said it was really involved to bend the I-beams. i took it home and built my own jig and ued my porta power to do the cambe and caster. but it was only once in the last 40 years that it has need to be done. Dutch
