I am thinking of doing a series of truck mods. on the older '86 and before F-Series trucks and possibly full-size Broncos. How durable are the frame rails weight wise on the half-tons versus the 3/4-ton and 1-ton frames if swapping in 1-ton axles and springs? I know on my '85 F-150 the prior owner swapped in 1-ton springs to manage a plow on it (now removed). It's stiff, but would it or even the older '70's models handle swap-ins of DynaTrac DANA-60 axles front and rear and 1-ton springs? Ideally I'll be going after F-250 or F-350 4x4's, but they are popular and sell fast.

I want to build several "expeditionary" F-Series trucks that can handle some potential box weight as well as winch bumpers/etc. and maneuver "33 tires with a mild "2 lift on them to keep the fenders safe. I thought about stock height for weight handling, but figured it wouldn't clear off-road things like stumps and protruding rocks.

Any input on this would be appreciated.

 

If you want to carry 3/4 ton loads I'd really suggest holding out for a 3/4 ton truck. Not that you can't overload a half ton and get away with it, especially if you beef up some of the components. But you're just moving the weak link back.

And by the way, don't forget that there are F-250s and F-250HDs. The standar 3/4 tons with semi-floating axles aren't much different than the F-150s (heavy duty half tons). You need to go to the F-250HD to get the thicker frames and heavier rear axle of an F-350.

 

It's just too much work to convert a f150 to a 250/350 and still have a f150 frame. I would keep looking for a beat up f250/350, you can slide those frames under a f150 body if need be.