beams and beam ends

[crf250r6]

Can someone tell me the difference in all the different beams throughout the years, im thinking of getting a 94-97 ranger and want to build equal length beams, i already have some d35 hubs and would like to use them, would i have to get d35 beam ends or can i use the stock 2wd ends. And how do you tell the difference from forged and cast beams and what years of trucks came with them, also on some beams i've noticed the ball joints are in the beams and on others their in the spindle, thanks ahead for the answers.

 

[TayCo 7s]

yeah the first rangers have the good beams the ball joint sticks with the beams till 1988 i think, then the crappy ones ´´soo i say´´started in 89 the ball joint sticks to the spindle and say dont heat or bend on them . till the ranger lost the ibeams for the a arms
i recomend the ones that the ball joint sticks to the ibeam ...

 

[canyoncritter]

The only stock 2wd beam end that might acept the d35 knucles and snout would be the explorer 2wd beam ends.

All 89 and newer ranger b2s explorers used cast un equal lenth beams.
Look for the do not weld bend casted in to the beams also the cast beams have the balljoints in the spindals
Cast beams are not easy to weld correct.and realluy not worth the time etc.
84.5/85-88 rangers used forged beams
Forged beams will have the ball joint in the beam.
83_84 rangers had a boxed beam a lot like the 4wd beams.just with out the diff.

Same gos for f1s pretty much

Myself If I did a eq lenth kit I do it with d44 ends. Get u bigger breaks and a wider bearing spread out of junk yard parts. It will change ur bolt patter from 5x4.5 to 5x5.5. But that makes it easy for when u throw a 9 inch in the back.

 

[AaronC]

D44 in my opinion is the way to go. Some people will argue that the old King Ping beams are amazing. I do not think so, the stock hub assembly does not compare to the D44. Plus the spread of the D44's ball joints is a great strength point. The king pin beams have a little bitty spread which helps promote wearing the king pins out. The stock Ranger beam ends and spindles are crap. I've ran 33's on extended forged beams and I absolutely hated it. Be ready to carry some wheel bearings if you go that route.