Twin I-Beam? on a 1974 F-350 460 should I BUY?!

I WANT to buy a pre '74 Ford Truck, at least a 3/4 ton. I have been hearing BAD things about the 'twin I beam suspension... such as 'you cannot align them...' This is making me look closer at the 4x4 models, but I read that that 4x4's had 'twin traction beam'('73 on).... is this a variation of the twin I beam? Howabout the 'Mono-Beam' in the earlier trucks?
Specifically I am looking at a 1974 f-350 4x2 with a 460... would this truck have the twin I beam setup? Is it the weak link? Does the F350 have a superior setup than a F250?

Will I have reliability problems? I have heard that the early I beam suspension can be aligned with a torch because they are forged pieces. HOWEVER later models have cast I beams, and all you can do is shim them (band-aid-fix) the problem is MUCH worse if you want to lift or lower the truck at all....

HOW MUCH OF THIS IS TRUE?
WHAT SETUP SHOULD I TRY TO GET (mostly for towing and hauling)


THANK YOU i need something to tow my 'race mustang' around and its just gotta be a ford, and once i get one IM KEEPIN IT!!


thanks

ps the scope is "1968-1974 F-250 or F-350 2wheel or 4 wheel drive"

[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Had a big reply but forgot the password [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lame.gif[/img] In short, someone is blowing smoke. I've had several & own a slammed '66 with no alignment problems. These trucks rock, just keep the pins lubed well.
[addsig]

ME either, and my 74 F-350 has seen 10 ft of air underneath it.

Also, the 4x4's didnt go to the twin traction beam till 1980.
[addsig]

Oh hey, thought Id add here, Look at a 73 or 74, as they will have disc front brakes factory, which will be much better suited for towing. Also the F-350 has the longer wheelbase, Which is great for stability.
[addsig]

Thanks guys..... I was also wondering if there’s a reason why I couldn't install a locking rear end (arb perhaps) and have a decent off-road or trail vehicle... or is the '74 F350 a big fat lumbering cow? The one I am interested in is stock all around, including A/c P/s a C-6, & disc brakes (-:

About the 'Twin I beams'; I have read in various places that you cannot raise or lower the vehicle attached to it... because there is NO adjustment for camber it almost seems... disposable...?

“....If the Twin I-Beam axles are the forged variety, which were used from 1965 through 1981, camber can be corrected by bending the axle with a hydraulic ram. To make a make a positive camber correction, a rigid work beam is slung under the axle from a pair of clevis blocks. A hydraulic ram is then placed under the middle of the axle. When pressure is applied, the ram bends the axle upward and tilts the knuckle down to increase camber. A slight amount of overbending <<not very exact is it?>> is usually needed to compensate for spring back in the axle. A negative camber correction is made by removing the outboard clevis block and inserting a spacer between the work beam and axle. The hydraulic ram is then repositioned directly under the inner axle bushing. When pressure is applied, the work beam bends the outer end of the axle up which tilts the knuckle and decreases camber.
<<now it gets worse>>
In 1982, Ford introduced lighter stamped steel axle Twin I-Beam suspensions on the F100 and F150 pickups. The same axle is also used on 1989 and up Ranger pickups. These axles should not be bent because doing so may weaken them. Camber corrections on the stamped steel Twin I-Beam axles can be made by installing an offset bushing in the upper ball joint. Before you replace this bushing, though, note its position and amount of offset (if any). This will help you determine how much additional offset is needed. Many aftermarket manufacturers offer zero degree sleeves which can be installed to zero out the ball joint stud location to a nominal centered position. After replacing the bushing, steer the wheel by hand to make sure the ball joint isn’t binding.

::above taken from:: http://members.aol.com/carleyware/library/bfe1096a.htm
also see:
http://www.hotrodders.com/t11855.html

This is the reason why I consider the 4x4 models? Does this make sense?


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 67fastback on 2/4/04 7:27am ]</font>

I have a 89 F150 4x4 with the Independent Front Suspension. They started using the IFS on the 4x4 F150, F250, and maybe even the F350 in 1980. If they did use it early on in the F350 that didn't last long as they went back to the Dana 60 pretty quick. IFS is a pretty goofy setup. I just rebuilt mine back last summer. I really don't see the benefit of it. My truck rides rougher than a 96 F350 PS 2WD that my buddy has. Lifting a truck with IFS is a PITA. Much better off to go buy a Dana 60 and swap it out if you want to lift it. I am browsing for a new (to me) truck and this is one of the reasons I am only considering F350s. Ford Dana 60s are bringing a premium because it'll fit Chevys and Chevy guys want to get rid of their version of IFS too.
Kywookie

My 74 waqs no lumbering cow, but I did have a nice 460 built for it, and I also swapped to a 4 speed. Like I said, I got video of that truck 10 ft off the ground. Took it lots of places the average folks consider to be 4x4 roads. Kinda miss her now, but shes was in pretty rough shape.
[addsig]

10' thats quite a bit~~! Did you use an elevator or esclator to get in to that beast? So did your truck have leaf springs in the front? coil over? solid axle? I would like to know how it was set up..?
Thanks

Actually mines 2wd, so its twin I beam with coil springs. In fact that 10 ft is the reason I had that truck, the twin I beams are virtually indestructable.
[addsig]