Re-Creating Ford's Simple Twin-I-Beam Suspension Test 60 Years Later

I this episode of Dentside Depot, Aaron recreates the Ford "Twin-I-Beam Ride Guide" test from 1965. This was a dealer tool that was used to demonstrate to potential customers the ride quality of Ford's Twin-I-Beam suspension by placing one cup directly in contact with the passenger side I-Beam and the other cup directly on top of the hood. Ford's original design appears to bolt into the I-Beam itself, and then again on the hood for stability via a bracket. DD came up with a less permanent solution..... (I'm not drilling holes in my truck).
If you enjoyed this episode, check out my latest build series below!
• ULTIMATE 1979 Ford F35...

[@DentsideDepot]

I did find a couple old pictures later today of the original setup, and It looks like Ford drilled right through the IBeam to attach the pole, then there was a secondary bracket under the hood that the pole went through.

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

I never really thought about that, but that is the best ping pong ball related content I've seen in a long time.

[@DentsideDepot]

haha thanks!

[@jeepindave5464]

Do the one with the square body on the bed pulling a dodge up the cinder block mountain. 😂

[@DentsideDepot]

yea that would be freaking awesome

[@dodgeguyz]

Twin I Beam/Traction Beam truly is a remarkable system. I had it on an 89 Ranger 4X4 and an F150. The suspension travel is better than IFS and solid axle. And in stock form it has a nice ride.

[@jimgoff1170]

The twin I beam rides better than an old I beam, but it also wears tires more. The materials they used for bushings were also very problematic. Very entertaining video 😊

[@mindeloman]

It was as close to the durability of a solid front axle while also having independent ride and driveability. My grandad was a chevy truck guy because of their wishbone suspension and they had an incredibly nice ride......but even he conceded to the fact that Fords were the better farm and ranch trucks.

[@tylerfrankel5374]

I can’t get my tire wear even and I don’t think anyone ever has with these but the twin I beam is rugged as hell

[@christophertoscano2026]

It’s amazing how much a suspension moves

[@DentsideDepot]

Hah yea its all for good fun

[@jackwells1452]

I scary part is i remember that commercial

[@DentsideDepot]

I must say Im not old enough for that one. Now question for you, this was never in a filmed commercial, just the one with the rods hitting the fireworks correct? I couldnt find any video anywhere of someone doing this.

[@BillyLintzenich-wf7sk]

Haha i dont. I was only 4 in '65

[@jackwells1452]

@@DentsideDepot in 1966 they had one with a paint brush on the wheel and a guy in the bed, then the one in 1970 with the fire works, my first Ford was a 1969 ranger short bed 360 3 on the tree, my wife still has her 68 F250 I'm going to have to bury in it

[@88SC]

Resonant frequency. Every spring/mass system has one (at least). They matched it with the velocity and spacing of the bumps. But it’s still impressive that it held up very well to the abuse in the original test.

[@robertpesa4157]

I don't know how your channel came to me but you need to stop teasing me with that 79....sweet!

[@TheWoodButcher86]

Why people dont like Twin I beam is beyond me. They ride so good!

[@tnrancher3913]

An excellent suspension that rode well, lasted longer and didn't wear out tires as fast as some other suspensions. Of course Many of these are now worn or not probably set up.

[@jamesford2942]

If you really want to see twin I beam put to the test watch Mr Megestic with Charles Bronson. Ford also used footage of this in their commercials. Twin I beam can absorb some really big bumps.

[@halon7476]

Redo the Argentinian Ford pick up commercial where they parachute drop a 74 F150 out of a C 130 Hercules.

[@ApolloTheDerg]

Love me some classic trucks. I got rid of my ol TTB for a Dana 60 but, some suspension is better than none that’s for sure

[@DentsideDepot]

Amen!

[@Ian-of9oi]

Real fair test would be ping pong balls on the hood of Chev following you around and see who keeps the most balls.

[@danieljonhson6367]

I had a 1970 Ford F100 and I've tested the twin I Beam suspension many times but I have never tested it on purpose.😂😂😂😂

[@shawnlee4346]

Don’t think I’ve seen the ad with the ping pong balls but have seen the ones with the lite bulbs. Was looking at the license plate looks like that trucks been around Phoenix, AZ ( Bell Ford I think that dealer ship is still there, use to live in AZ) Oregon now where you are in Penn. 👍

[@tdotw77]

2:30 Says right on those TTB arms "Do Not Weld, Heat or Drill!" So i like the clamp method idea better. Definitely not saying nobody has ever welded or heated up these things in the last many, many years. I'm not 100% sure the 'drill' part is on there but 'heat & weld' is for sure!

[@tdotw77]

This is crazy what they did before all the computer technology we have today! Ping pong ball! 😂😂😂

[@smartestpersonontheplanet7467]

Oh yeah I wanted to say. Bak in the 70's Seekonk Speedway Had an !/8 mile track. high based over, The cars were set up With three slicks and one small tire on the inside front. As they made the turn G-forces lifted the inside front wheel. Except Billy Clark in #1. Eh took the front suspecting in his (new) Ford truck and put it in his race car. The twin I beam kept the inside front wheel on the track, Better handling on the terns

[@captainschannel9331]

Nice ! 😎🏴‍☠️

[@THE_IIREVING]

A little bit of both, twin I beam moves more for a given amount of wheel travel than a solid axle whether it’s actually providing a softer ride or not.

[@Colorado_Native]

Just a quick observation. You have the tires on the truck in your drawing mounted sideways. Does that make it easier to park? Just curious. BTW, I like your new word 'joscillation', a great combo of 'jostling' and 'oscillation'.

[@pl5624]

Do the light bulb and rods test....

[@DentsideDepot]

I am pondering it haha, that would be really cool for sure

[@BillyLintzenich-wf7sk]

So whats that test?

[@pl5624]

@@BillyLintzenich-wf7sk rods on door to light bulbs rods on wheel hub to light bulbs...break those bulbs and not the smooth riding cab ones.

[@mylesprodriver8495]

hey man! Just curious if you have a 73-79 hood ornament laying around that you would get rid of? I am having a hard time finding one! Thanks! Myles

[@VictorDeLaTorre]

that was one hell of a demonstration, now I'd like to know why in the heck there are differences on what in theory is the same suspension: both 1979 F100s one has a 302 and the other a 351w both 2WD the one with the 351w is way smoother than the one with the 302, can really the weight of the engine in this case matter? both are stocks engines (and suspensions) how much could da 351w weight more than the 302, maybe shocks are better? springs (they look and measure the same)? any thoughts on this?

[@smartestpersonontheplanet7467]

Simple Solution : Fill the axel container With the balls. Shake the bracket as much a you can, The balls that fallout Are the ones that would fall out because of the unstable bracket. fFill the hood container with the same amount of balls that remain.

[@Arkansasfestus]

Feller i got a 77 highboy and the bed is plum gone wat beds will enterchange fer a lift off and put on without modification cab and front clip is ok will 78/79 fit

[@jaredh2341]

Why would they weld something on a truck they are trying to sell. surely it just bolted or clipped on somehow.

[@johnossendorf9979]

I think Ford most likely bolted it on. This isn't really a great application for welding, not if you want lots of customers to experience this test over the model year.

[@jeepindave5464]

Great for 2wd. Terrible for 4x4. King pin snowfighter 60 everything!

[@DentsideDepot]

Couldnt agree more!

[@ShaunHensley]

Did you say ‘jostlate’? Jostle and oscillate ? 😂😅😅 0:31

[@David-yy7lb]

TTB is garbage going over big dips in the road the camber always changes vs A arms the camber doesn't change

[@DentsideDepot]

its not a performance suspension but it rides smooth

[@B1GDaddyFatStax]

I mean, they still use twin I-beam on 2wd F-250's today. So, there's something to be said about that. I mean, you only have two points of wear on either side. So, your alignment stays truer, longer since fewer parts are wearing out.

[@tnrancher3913]

TTB is a 4 wheel drive suspension that came out in 1980

[@RealBLAlley]

#SquareUBolts

[@chargermopar]

It's a gimmick. Even my 1969 Dodge truck could do that. I went down a bumpy road with a tool tray full of sockets and they didn't bounce out. If i tried to drive throgh my yard it would come off as I would hit a tree .

[@everettstormy]

Marketing literally runs the world. We literally vote based on marketing

[@okiedean1112]

My 79 dodge pickup drove like a Cadillac compared to my 78 Chevy and now driving 78 Ford but the Dodge turning radius was terrible.

[@everettstormy]

@okiedean1112 I have a 78 2wd f150 and it's decent my brother has an identical 93 with upgraded shocks, it's awesome. My dad had an 88 4x4 and it was pretty nice aswell. The twin ibeam really does better with spring spacers and longer shocks

[@DentsideDepot]

As you saw in the final test, you are correct. But, it probably sold a lot of trucks!

[@okiedean1112]

​@@everettstormy My 78 f150 needs shocks It's been over 20 year I believe it would drive alot smoother with new shocks before I give a final comment.

[@crimzonplays1134]

Sick kind of advertisment. Shame ford had to do everything under the hood different and finnicky.

[@styldsteel1]

Don't forget to remove this stuff before you take it through a car wash 😅

[@somenamelessdude8095]

Back when cars were still improving, instead of becoming expensive digital junk

[@w210black]

Cars today can have a qay stiffer ride and still be cofritable

[@somenamelessdude8095]

@@w210black True but the new F-150 can cost you 5 THOUSAND bucks for a bad taillight bulb, check out that video here, its legit

[@somenamelessdude8095]

@@w210black Yeah but an F-150 now can cost you 5 THOUSAND bucks to fix it, if you get water in fords crappy plastic taillights, because electronic crap

[@christophertoscano2026]

Lol

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

What did we learn here? Still a piece of crap 60 years later!!

[@masterhacker1989]

Garbage that ford ran for too ling