Twin I Beam Fabrication Question

[Mb4343]

I have a question regard material selection. My build is a 94 ranger 2wd (Mild prerunner). Is getting a gm LS motor. 4 link in rear likely. Front I'm building my own TIB's. I'm not concerned about building the beams as I have a lot of fabrication buddies that know what there doing. However, I want to build my own inner steering knuckle (refering to where ball joint tapers bolt in to.) that would be getting welded into the beam. I have access to CNC mills so machining ball joint tapers is no big deal. But what material do I use for these. Likely be a 1" to 1-1/4 barstock of some kind. My other thought is to try finding a TTB Dana 44 and cutting the knuckle off that and using it on the end of my fabricated TIB tube. Then I get F150 steering knuckles. Thoughts and suggestions please.

 

[Dirtman]

I would use metal...

 

[Mb4343]

There is such a thing as different kinds of metal. This is the literally the first forum ive ever posted on in my life, because I think there normally not that helpful. Thanks for reinforcing my beliefs

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

personally, I would/do only ever use 4130 chromoly for any suspension or structural pieces. this insures your efforts arent wasted.
theres a guy who makes what youre talking about. if you have an instagram, i would try to get in contact with him and see if hell sell you the ends of his production TTB's

 

[Mb4343]

Okay, so you think 4130 would be okay for the ball joint tapers to be machined into? And ya that'd be great to get more information. Thanks!

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

found it and edited my post above^^^^
but yes. 4130 would be the best material to use.

 

[Mb4343]

Awesome thanks, very helpful!

 

[Ranger850]

@Mb4343 That's just @Dirtman . He can be very helpful at times, and very useless most other times.
And this IS the BEST forum for any Ranger guy or girl.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

Awesome thanks, very helpful!

see forums arent all bad. ill probably get banned for this, but for this type of suspension talk, you might have better luck on dezertrangers

 

[snoranger]

There is such a thing as different kinds of metal. This is the literally the first forum ive ever posted on in my life, because I think there normally not that helpful. Thanks for reinforcing my beliefs

The man who told you to use metal is a highly skilled professional welder... he’s probably sniffed a few too many fumes!

You could use the ends of a d44, but the 4130 mentioned above is definitely a stronger choice. The 150 knuckle is a good idea. Bigger bearings, wider bolt pattern on the wheels, and overall stronger.

 

[sheep herder]

The man who told you to use metal is a highly skilled professional welder... he’s probably sniffed a few too many fumes!

Yeah, the fumes from his furnace.