do I have an I-beam suspension?
 

someone asked me this and I wasn't sure: do I have an I-beam suspension on my '91 ranger, 4x1, auto?

I did a quick google to figure out that:

-an I-beam suspension is a simple design used to increase the capacity of heavy loads.

http://www.procarcare.com/images/sha...a/8852MG05.gif
(picture c/o procarcare.com in autozone's auto library)

it's been almost exclusively used in ford's

http://www.procarcare.com/images/sha...a/88488p17.jpg
(picture c/o procarcare.com in autozone's auto library)

in wikipedia, the I-beam suspension wasn't replaced until the 4th generation rangers (1998-present), so I'm guessing on that criteria alone, I DO have an I-beam suspension:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j2...lems/2leak.jpg
yes, I know I have a brake line leak...that's what this picture was originally taken for

so is my research accurate? is that what I have?

yes u do... i think from 97 doesnt have that!

all the way upto 97 rangers had ibeams (TIB 4x2 and TTB 4x4)
i think.. 86-97? whatever the first year of the ranger was.

thats exactly what i said..

The first picture you posted looks like a rear axle out of an older car/van. Just a drag-axle, not the 'I-beam' that the rangers have/had.



He was just confirming what you said.

97 was the last year the TTB was used.

that 1st picture is also how the older 3/4 and 1 ton 2wd pickup front ends were.......it is also how heavy duty trucks (ie: semi's, dump trucks, and so forth) front suspension is....


yes you have an I beam front end......it is called a TIB (Twin I Beam) suspension......that was used in 2wd Rangers from mid 1982 all the way up through 1997 model year Rangers.......
http://www.procarcare.com/images/sha...a/88488p17.jpg

the 4wd Rangers from 1983 to 1997 had the TTB (Twin Traction Beam) front suspension........
http://www.therangerstation.com/Maga...TTBTuning4.JPG



Both suspensions have a center pivot point. This was Ford's 1st real attemp at a IFS (Independent Front Suspension). This suspensions was not the best on the road since the motion of the axle caused tires to wear faster and allignments to be needed more often.

here is some info on the TTB style suspension
http://www.therangerstation.com/Maga.../TTBTuning.htm

yea i understand that but just a worthless post i guess oh well who cares anyways!

thanks for the responses guys

now someone said that it was interesting because my truck could very well be in the next snoop dog video

how are they easy to lower? just by replacing the springs and shocks?