build your own dream beams

[lightning_msd]

has anyone built there own dream beams? i was thinking of doing it but i havent seen a pair in person. would it be safe to do this? anyone got any ideas on measurements or can draw up a diagram? it would save a lot of money

[Heavenlyfire]

Boots might be able to help you with some ideas on this one. I know he did a lot of mods on his lift.

[lightning_msd]

i was looking at some drop dream beams in the gallerys, and they dont look at all hard to make



these dont look that hard either

[Heavenlyfire]

Come on Mike get that next post in, (1000).

Your right, those really don't look too hard to fab up.

[lightning_msd]

if you insist

[lightning_msd]

thats right 5 star baby

[Heavenlyfire]

Congrats

[averagef250]

Never built beams myself, but keep in mind there are some very exact angles on beams and you should have plenty of experience and confidence with welding before you fab your own front suspension parts.

[marz68]

I have something cooking in my pot of parts to make and lowered I beams is one of them but I just can't find the time to get started on them. I think it will solve the problem of lowering our trucks on stock I beams. It may take me a while before you guy's hear anything about this again and hope that next time I bring this up again it will include pictures. I don't want to say much cause I want you guys to see the finished product all put together.

[marz68]

did this guy cut two other I beam ends and weld them to his own I beams? It looks that way doesn't it. I would have plated the front and back with 1/4 plate.

[customcrewcab]

you would have to get some parts machined. i wouldn't cut the beams and weld the back together. i can't see the pics but i rather spend some money and be safe. your going to need some heavy gauge steal and machine work is around 65 an hour. your going to have more them a 100 bucks in them. also whats done with the steering? i would rather have drop i beams then clipes it with other truck front when you only gaining that fact it sitting lower.

[lightning_msd]

why would they cost that much? its just steel welded and cut to the shape?

[MadMaxetc]

The price is to pay for R&D and Labor.

Say it takes a welder 4 hours to weld up a set at $70 per hour...thats $280

Then it cost about $100 for the steel and time/wear on the machines.

Then you spent $5000 in R&D and plan to sell 200 units...so thats $25 per unit.

So just to brake even thats $405...then add 30% markup to make some money...

And you end up with $526.50 +tax.

If you did it yourself (assuming you have the proper tools and know how) you would probably have to do 2-3 sets to get them right...so thats $300

If you did have to have a guy at a machine shop do some work you would have to add that into it.

If you are going to try it, good luck. I hope they work for you!

[averagef250]

That's an excellent breakdown Dan.

Building those beams yourself you're really shooting from the hip. What alloy(s) will you use? How will you weld it? How will you build a fixture to hold everything in perfect alignment? Will it need pre-heated or heat treatment/shot peening afterward? Who's going to machine the parts? Can you buy just the steel you need to build the beams or can you only buy it in 20' lengths? Odds are if it's a structural alloy that a steel yard has to order, they're not going to cut 6' off a full length unless you're a very good customer of thiers.

I say support the guys that already did all the R&D for you and stand behind thier quality product that they offer at an affordable price. Buy a set for $500.

[layedout72]

if you do build them, you could build them for more drop as well, and set the mounting angle so the camber doesnt get so severe.

Also, I believe Marz is one that has just about anything he would need at his finger tips. I know I would probably buy a set if I was at that point and not past it!