what are bent beams

[blindguy315]

iv heard about them but dont understand wat they are?

 

[canyoncritter]

"bent" beams are where the I beams are "bent" (put a in large press)to make for camber corection when lifing a 2wd ranger(83-97)

the reason behind bent beams is so you can lift with out the need of dropbrackets to correct camber.

http://www.autofab.com/econo2wd.htm

 

[4x4junkie]

To expand some on that...

Bent (modified) beams are generally the setup of choice for hi-speed desert (or "Baja") use. Main reason is their better clearance, the drop pivots won't stick down near as far when the suspension becomes fully compressed on jumps and landings.
When the concept of modified beams was originated, most lift bracket designs at the time were also quite flimsy. This eliminated what used to be a significant weak spot as well.

Modified beams aren't without a few drawbacks however. The most notable ones are problems with increased stress on the center axle u-joint & slip spline due to the altered geometry of the frontend (this on 4WDs), and increased jacking due to greater suspension scrub (the in/out movement of the tire with up/down travel of the suspension).
With the advent of better lift bracket designs from companies like Skyjacker, and James Duff, past problems with weak brackets are easily avoidable nowadays (some are actually stronger than the stock brackets normally used with the modified beams).


My general overall recommendation is go for the beams on a 2WD truck, and stick with a decent bracket lift on a 4WD.

 

[spdcrazy]

To expand some on that...

Bent (modified) beams are generally the setup of choice for hi-speed desert (or "Baja") use. Main reason is their better clearance, the drop pivots won't stick down near as far when the suspension becomes fully compressed on jumps and landings.
When the concept of modified beams was originated, most lift bracket designs at the time were also quite flimsy. This eliminated what used to be a significant weak spot as well.

Modified beams aren't without a few drawbacks however. The most notable ones are problems with increased stress on the center axle u-joint & slip spline due to the altered geometry of the frontend (this on 4WDs), and increased jacking due to greater suspension scrub (the in/out movement of the tire with up/down travel of the suspension).
With the advent of better lift bracket designs from companies like Skyjacker, and James Duff, past problems with weak brackets are easily avoidable nowadays (some are actually stronger than the stock brackets normally used with the modified beams).


My general overall recommendation is go for the beams on a 2WD truck, and stick with a decent bracket lift on a 4WD.

wow. you seem to be everywhere. and always well made points. i never thought bout the stress on the ujoints and such.. good to know. thank you

 

[pillen140]

he does make great points.but just wanted to let you know the stress on the u-joints doesnt apply to you, you have 2wd. he was talking about 4x4's, they have ujoints in the front axles.

 

[blindguy315]

thank you everybody for being so helpfull..