I was thinking today. Did Ford put the Hitch on to stiffen the rear frame? DISCUSS
#1
I was thinking today. Did Ford put the Hitch on to stiffen the rear frame? DISCUSS
I was thinking today. The frames on our trucks are very flexible. especially in the rear where they aren't boxed. I can tell when I have the hitch installed and not, especially around hard corners. The rear end seems stiffer with the hitch installed.
Do you think the engineers actually may have added the hitch to stiffen up the rear of the truck? Stiffen the frame a little? I've been looking at ways to stiffen the rear of the truck without a lot of added weight of the hitch. I have a few ideas.
thoughts?
Do you think the engineers actually may have added the hitch to stiffen up the rear of the truck? Stiffen the frame a little? I've been looking at ways to stiffen the rear of the truck without a lot of added weight of the hitch. I have a few ideas.
thoughts?
#2
Originally Posted by l-menace
I was thinking today. The frames on our trucks are very flexible. especially in the rear where they aren't boxed. I can tell when I have the hitch installed and not, especially around hard corners. The rear end seems stiffer with the hitch installed.
Do you think the engineers actually may have added the hitch to stiffen up the rear of the truck? Stiffen the frame a little? I've been looking at ways to stiffen the rear of the truck without a lot of added weight of the hitch. I have a few ideas.
thoughts?
Do you think the engineers actually may have added the hitch to stiffen up the rear of the truck? Stiffen the frame a little? I've been looking at ways to stiffen the rear of the truck without a lot of added weight of the hitch. I have a few ideas.
thoughts?
Bryan
#4
yeah, i'm sure it was just incidental. the frame is stiff enough as is to do what it was built and rated for.
i have also not found that i gain any by dropping the hitch even with slicks. i do notice an improvement with the front sway. i'm leaving mine on. kind of cool whipping (when I'm that fortunate) trailer queen bracket guys with a truck that could easily hook up to their trailer and pull them home LOL!
i have also not found that i gain any by dropping the hitch even with slicks. i do notice an improvement with the front sway. i'm leaving mine on. kind of cool whipping (when I'm that fortunate) trailer queen bracket guys with a truck that could easily hook up to their trailer and pull them home LOL!
#6
#7
Originally Posted by l-menace
but what if "someone" was to make a brace back there to replace the hitch, that stiffens up the rear part of the frame?
Obviously, much lighter and more rigid than the hitch.
Obviously, much lighter and more rigid than the hitch.
Given that the hitch is bolted in... yeah it might provide a little more rigidity, but I'm willing to be it is insignificant from an engineering standpoint. Just like "bolt in" subframe connectors for Mustangs...they help a little, but are no substitute for something welded in and designed into the chassis.
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#8
#9
The flexibility of our frames together with the high torque of our motors may explain why most Lightning owners complain about the right rear bed/wheel opening being higher than the (left) drivers side!
I know my right side is a good half inch higher and the only thing I can see causing it is a slight "twist" in the frame....from the torque maybe??
I know my right side is a good half inch higher and the only thing I can see causing it is a slight "twist" in the frame....from the torque maybe??
#10
Originally Posted by Eds 01 Lightnin
The flexibility of our frames together with the high torque of our motors may explain why most Lightning owners complain about the right rear bed/wheel opening being higher than the (left) drivers side!
I know my right side is a good half inch higher and the only thing I can see causing it is a slight "twist" in the frame....from the torque maybe??
I know my right side is a good half inch higher and the only thing I can see causing it is a slight "twist" in the frame....from the torque maybe??
...that and possibly the weight of the driver and the gas tank all on the left side may make the springs on the left "sag" slightly over time.
#11
Originally Posted by l-menace
but what if "someone" was to make a brace back there to replace the hitch, that stiffens up the rear part of the frame?
Obviously, much lighter and more rigid than the hitch.
Obviously, much lighter and more rigid than the hitch.
#13
Originally Posted by l-menace
but what if "someone" was to make a brace back there to replace the hitch, that stiffens up the rear part of the frame?
Obviously, much lighter and more rigid than the hitch.
Obviously, much lighter and more rigid than the hitch.
TB
#14
Originally Posted by TrackBeast
. . . Maybe we should work on this together. . .
Originally Posted by TrackBeast
. . . I can tell you that without the rear bumper and hitch with my super sticky toyo RA-1's the rear feels like a wet noodle. . .
Originally Posted by TrackBeast
. . . The hitch definitely acts as a frame brace. . .
The X-Factor bracing I can see for sure, but I am at a loss to figure out what could be twisting behind the axle.