Obviously Ford knew this idea was going to cross a consumers mind, and I'm 100% sure I am not the first to think of this...But why is nobody modifying these I-beams? Im a hot rodder at heart and people used to heat and bend their solid axles. Even when you buy a dropped front axle for lets say a 32 Ford high-boy, you still have to heat and bend down your steering knuckle.

What I'm trying to get at, even though my I-beams say right on them "DO NOT HEAT, BEND OR WELD" Why the heck not? They are cast steel, not iron right? I have not had anytime to really check these things out yet. Im a certified welder and have layed beads down on scarier things than this. Just wondering why nobody else has? I understand I would have to be very careful and measure measure measure to make sure my alighnment is still good.

But when I see a sign that states "DO NOT ___________" I cannot help but say "Well I am going to anyway!"

The prices of dropped beams is rape if you ask me, but it is not just about money. I like to do everything myself. Any input?

I've seen someone who wanted more drop out of their I beams to lay frame and they chopped the end of the beam off and rewelded it together. I'll be damned if Ican find it though lol.

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread

If they took the time to put that on there, they probably mean it. There are older forged beams you can get from a junkyard and cut/bent/modify them.

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i know bending them was the way to align them back in the day... people would heat them and bend them too many times and they'd just snap, lol

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-Alex
'10 Ranger XL 2.3L Manual
Mods: Stereo, Tint, Weatherguard rain shields, Intake silencer removal, LED brake, turn signal, reverse, license plate, and dome lights, DDM HID's (currently removed), lowered, 17" wheels with spacers, Explorer autodim mirror with Autolamps, Magnaflow exhaust, Buggman LED 3rd Brake Light...

Back in the day? Lol that's how ALL big rig axles are aligned. Its pretty cool to see actually. And yes, some prerunner guys cut and reweld their TTB axles to fit a bigger lift with no drop brackets.

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1993 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab | stepside | 4x4 | 4.0L | Lifted | 35" BFG KM2s | MT Classic IIs | Dana 35/Disc 8.8 with 4.56's | Duals | Etc

RIP JASON

The prerunner guys only cut and weld forged beams, not cast beams.

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Ok, So my next question if anyone knows, are the beams on a 94 forged or cast? Im thinking about picking up a set of beams from the bone yard as a back up or to use as a model to make a jig and make my own beams from chomoly. I want my static drop to be LOW. Like "drive up and down parking lot rows to avoid speed bumps" low.

When I bagged trucks with traditional independent front suspension, I used to extend the upper a-arm so that it has less negative camber when riding low or layed out. So you can ride low all the time with less wear and tear on your tires. Critical when you have low-profiles. Alot of hydraulic guys do it too.

I have noticed even with aftermarket beams, if you bag or lower it more, you still get a ton of negative camber. I hate wearing out tires on the inside.

If you want to ride low in a ranger without wearing out tires swap in a 84-94 toyota pickup front frame clip

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91 explorer
00 ranger

and this is why hahaha

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'07 FX4 Lvl II, 3in body lift,8.8, 4.10s, two tone interior,line-X the bed, the rest is stock but many mods to come soon!

YEAH! .... OH!... lol

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MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..

and this is why hahaha

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'07 FX4 Lvl II, 3in body lift,8.8, 4.10s, two tone interior,line-X the bed, the rest is stock but many mods to come soon!

Hahah that video rules!

slammedxonair, I was already looking into finding a newer model ranger with the a-arms/coils in a salvage yard. hmmm

Still curious if the factory beams are cast or forged?

Cool vid, but it's about 2:38 longer than it needs to be. Really, why show us the same footage, again and again, especially when it is not the section that broke the truck?

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'95 XLT, 4.0L.AOD swap- "The Green Flash"
'73 Mustang Convert
'03 Mazda Protege
'01 Triumph Sprint ST- "The Green Flash II"

the 98+ ranger front suspension is a little better but not that much if you want to get really low. A 5" front drop is pretty much the max you can re align any year ranger.

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91 explorer
00 ranger