Extended beams vs. brackets

[VBredneck]

Anyone using extended beams instead of or in conjunction with drop brackets? I was thinking of getting some 4.5" extended beams from Camburg but I don't know how much lift that 4.5"s would allow and still be relatively easy to align. Any major drawbacks to extended beams? (This is a 2wd truck so it won't see any rock crawling or serious trail riding).

 

[offroadranger]

Camburgs beams are WIDENED 4.5" per side over stock width. Not bent 4.5" for lift. You dont use extended beams in place of drop brackets. Two totally different beasts here. What are you trying to accomplish?

If you just want a lift, you can run BENT beams OR drop brackets. Around here, everyone will tell ya drop brackets are the way to go. I disagree, but we wont get into that now.

Camburg EXTENDS thier beams for more wheel travel and high speed stability. They are designed for a 5.5" lift. But they also require a custom crossmember and radius arms and steering.

 

[VBredneck]

Well that clears things up a bit, thanks. What I really want is an extended track width AND lift (preferably enough for 35s) without having to rely on brackets.

 

[offroadranger]

Well that clears things up a bit, thanks. What I really want is an extended track width AND lift (preferably enough for 35s) without having to rely on brackets.

OK gotcha. I was a bit confused as to what the goal was....

In that case, the Camburg beams (or similar) is what you want. They are extended 4.5" over stock per side, and are designed for a 5.5" lift. These are "race" parts. So they are built very beefy and come with a hefty price tag. If you are out beating on the truck, they are worth the extra money because they will last and hold up to the abuse. There is also alot of time spent making sure the geometry on these beams/radius arms are correct. You really wont find a better setup anywhere.

You could run 33's with camburgs kit, with no drop brackets. (Camburg will NOT sell you drop brackets, they dont touch em) Install some front fiberglass and you can easily clear the 35's and pull 16+" wheel travel!

 

[4x4junkie]

Camburgs beams are WIDENED 4.5" per side over stock width. Not bent 4.5" for lift. You dont use extended beams in place of drop brackets. Two totally different beasts here. What are you trying to accomplish?

If you just want a lift, you can run BENT beams OR drop brackets. Around here, everyone will tell ya drop brackets are the way to go. I disagree, but we wont get into that now.

Camburg EXTENDS thier beams for more wheel travel and high speed stability. They are designed for a 5.5" lift. But they also require a custom crossmember and radius arms and steering.

That's not true, you can use both beams & brackets together (it's actually quite common to use STX Highrider brackets in conjunction with modded beams on 4x4 trucks)

Using both on a 2WD has fewer benefits than on a 4x4 however, so it's less common to see it on a 2WD. I'd probably agree and say run just the beams and keep the stock brackets.

 

[VBredneck]

Yeah, I figured drop brackets and beams would be a bit excessive for me. Thanks guys.

 

[regnardrof39]

u can run up to 35in tires with the burg lt kit just have to cut out some of ur inner fender but if u don't have much fabrication and susp. knowledge i would not suggest not installing this kit and having someone that knows how kit cause some of the setup depends on u there is quite a bit of welding cutting. and cycling the susp. to get it all setup. and btw it will set u back about 6k all said and down without labor.

 

[VBredneck]

I'm not looking at the whole kit, just the beams. But thanks.

 

[offroadranger]

That's not true, you can use both beams & brackets together (it's actually quite common to use STX Highrider brackets in conjunction with modded beams on 4x4 trucks)

Using both on a 2WD has fewer benefits than on a 4x4 however, so it's less common to see it on a 2WD. I'd probably agree and say run just the beams and keep the stock brackets.

Sure you "CAN". I know about the 4x4 stx mounts. This is done to get more uptravel on the 4x4 since theres a huge pumpkin in the way. But were not talking about a 4wd here are we?

 

[VBredneck]

Sure you "CAN". I know about the 4x4 stx mounts. This is done to get more uptravel on the 4x4 since theres a huge pumpkin in the way. But were not talking about a 4wd here are we?

No, we're talking 2WD.

But what really matters is that 4x4junkie was simply pointing out that an extended beam/drop bracket setup is a possibility while adding that it wouldn't make much sense for me seeing as how I'm 2WD. You know, providing insight .

 

[canyoncritter]

IMO its not a good ideal.you would end up with some nasty camber at bump,you could lose caster dpending on how you did the radius arms/mounts.running drop brackets with the burg beams.


how high do you want the truck?....the burg beams are set up for 5.5 inches lift and extened 4.5 over perside


if you dont mind not having bling, and want to save a few bucks, might want to check out threat motorsports.