I was reading some older issues of Four Wheeler Magazine(Sept. '99 pgs. 56-58) and I saw an article on 2wd mud boggers. People buy '65-'79 ford trucks, flip the i-beams, put 9.00-16 tires up front(tall,skinny) and 44's out back. How difficult is it to flip the i-beams? Will i have to install extended steering componets or shocks or anything? I am interested in this type of truck as it sounds inexpensive yet fun. What are your opinions? Even though i am usually biased towards 4WD's i think that this sounds feasible.

Jon

 

I dont think I'd try it, not with all of the 2wd lift kits being made these days.

Nathan

 

Sounds interesting, especially when I have a 71 two wheeler that needs to have the front beams changed out when I setup for disk brakes. I'll have to look at it. DF

 

Anyone tried this flipping yet? I need a copy of the article or the magazine. I'm looking to lift my '78 F-250 2wd w/o going w/ the AutoFab kit (unless I find one used). Thanks!
Doc

 

 

Is this possible, seems cheaper not to replace your old I beams, I'm trying to stay away from a body lift...

 

I also wonder if u can flip I beams..id say so..


All of the kits for these trucks have Raised I beams..for like 4-900 bucks.....But this way be for free..all but you labor...





U would have to take kingpins out flip brakes over
(After u have I beams out)
(u may have to have them pressed out)

also flip the spring bolt over...

(This is all obvious and apparent)



U would need to take it ot someone real good to get it aligned afterwards....and need modified caster camber bushings i believe..(in other words someone who specialized in aligning raised trucks, most regular automotive places wont touch a job like that.....)at least the ones i talked to ....(But from the looks of it you may not have to)


I want to try this myself ......but it is alot work but not impossibe...

I simplly replaced I beams before it was a project..(In a 1980 f series that was wrecked with bent I beam)


And the king pins are a bitch to break loose you may have to get them pressed out.....(even if u buy a kit you have to do this as well)


if U decide to do it let me know Im behind ya..its a great Idea


If u dont get it all right it will eat tires up which are expensive...



I have a 1975 and from the looks of it from my perspective it wouldnt make much of a difference. and you would get some good lift (like 5-6inches on the front and for "free") which is nice

and u woulnt have to change shocks or springs because the bend in beam is between spring and break...


Besides if U dont want to go all the way through u always can flip them back .it be easier 2nd time round with all the bolts broke loose...I would like to try it one day but Id also have to raise back a lil as well...

 

Ok, im gonna go for it...
I think i'll need these items, correct me if im wrong..
Extended brake lines
New bushings for entire front end(rubber or poly?)
New king pins?
Lift blocks and add-a-leafs, or entire new springs for rear
Any More?

 

MOST IMPORTANT(take a look closely)
"You will have to lower your Tie rods Down as well...something for You to think about .....U may be able to buy something premade or Fabricate something on your own" ..
That would be the only real modification in the Job...something i would do after I fliped the beams to make sure U get it right...

But this would be much cheaper then a Kit by far.....and a greater acomplishment.....


Extended brake lines?
yes

New bushings for entire front end(rubber or poly?)

U probably could get away with not replacing them but while your in there its a good Idea...


New king pins?
I doubt that....But one thing im not sure of is after the flip will they install from the top.. I dont think so....U would have to put then in upside down (but it will work)


Lift blocks and add-a-leafs, or entire new springs for rear
Any More?

Whatever way u think would be best ....But that combo sounds right...

Let me know how it goes..

 

here is some stuff from another post....

1. "RE: lifting my 2wd f100"
09-22-02, 08:49 PM (EST)
I grew up with some guys down in San Diego that did this to their trucks (one guy even did it to his Econoline van!).
You get lots of lift, but as I remember, getting it aligned was pretty tricky. I believe they made some brackets to lower the pivot points - there's camber already built into your axle for when they're righ side up. It can be done - will take some engineering on your part.
I thought there were a couple of companies like Autofab.com or Fabtech
doing bent I-beams for the front of these trucks - might be worth checking out.

Hope this helps....

 

1965-1979 Ford 2WD 5" lift kit from autofab


$1350

ouch

 

now I'm kinda intrested in this. how big of tires do you think may fit under this lift?

 

U could also keep jackin it up by adding springs, extended shocks however take note u only have adjustment on driver side of tie rod...but the higher u go the less likely it will be to obtain proper alignment on front..

so I wouldnt advise it, pushing the envelope too much,....unless u can afford a new set of oversized tires ever 4-5 months lol(for the front)


But if u wanted biger tires yet add a body lift .......

Then cut out wheel wells..

 

Check my gallery for picures of trucks that had the I beam swap

 

that dark one with the mud style tires doesn't look bad. it all that lift from just flipping the beams or is there a body lift on that thing?