boxed beams

[Rufrider]

I see some people leave thier ford beams alone, others box them for strength. I also hear that they are strong without having to box.....This is on a F100, ..I plan to race a couple of times, and just have fun (glamis etc.). Somebody set me straight...to box or not to box?

[Josh_K]

Well, that a hard question to answer 100% accurately. If the truck is going to be raced and will have a cage form front to rear reducing the flex in the frame and you most likely don't need to box the frame. BUT, the cage needs to 100% complete. It needs to be tied into the frame at all the points that get stressed, like the suspension points. It's a big job to do.

If it's just to play with and you are not going to jump it or slam into whoops, you probably don't need to do any thing. But, I also under stand that it's nice to have a little extra strength. I am building a pre runner chase truck and while it needs to be able to make sometime over rough terrain, its still going to need to carry a bed load to stuff. So my latest plan is to box the fame for some extra support and put a 7-point cage in the cab for safety and leave the bed alone. It's just a thought.

[shower]

He is talking about plating the beams, not boxing the frame.



http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Rufrider]

you are correct, you dont want to box the early fords, the frames really flex well. But what about the beams?