HOWDY everyone!
I have a great truck I'm building for a slide in camper (part- time)
work truck (full-time). I wanted to hear from some of you guys that have them and use them
mine is a 73 f250 camper special ranger xlt 7500 gvwr long bed
with at 360 an c6 transmission
I've been upgrading components slowly but I'm trying to get ideas and tips to increase my payload for my truck
the factory specs said mine had a max of 3440 of payload for my gvwr
I'm trying to get to 5k but the break down go's as followed
2500 light camper (wet weight) + 1500 people and gear (we are not fat just making extra for safety lol) then 1000 of leeway weight ( I like to buy things on vacation who dosent need weight room for crap)
So show me what ya got, what your hauling, your set up, I'm curious

 

I don't know that you can increase payload but you can bring the ride back to like new with new springs all the way around. I got coils for the front of my '65 F250 from Napa and rear leafs from Detroit Spring. They make them to factory specs and ship to your door. Get all new spring axle bolts of course. Don't forget all the suspension bushings, king pins, etc.


By the way, I've had 2 ton on my truck and that's really at the upper end of my comfort. Windy days become more noticeable when loaded like that. I've got the heaviest springs Ford offered along with the over load springs on top. Most my truck has ever squatted was 3 inches, but still it's a bit of a load going much over 3K lbs in a F250.

 

ya I'm pouring thought the whole suspension. i have a 5 level leaf spring with a helper. I'm still researching if i want to either add some leafs ( done that to a f100 worked great)
or get a 10 leaf set. il still looking at f350 leafs also

 

Was just thinking about tires. I actually have two '65 F250's. One has 16.5 inch tires and the other has 16 inch tires. I have Load range "E" in the 16 inchers, but I don't think you can get that high of a rating in 16.5 inch. Just something to check depending on what rims you have.

 

I have aftermarket aluminum rims ill have to check the sizes I have it written down just forgot where lol

 

We use to have a 75 F250 Hi Boy 4x4 & hauled a 3000lb camper while pulling a 2500lb boat/trailor.We ended up buying Hellwig front swaybar & Hellwig rear overload springs before I felt comfortable,never got rear sway bar but it might of been a improvement .

 

man I'm glad I'm talkin to you guys on the towing forum. the dudes on the dent forum told me it was impossible for me to safely build my truck to do stuff like that

-I have front and rear sway bars!

 

C4's were not installed behind FE engines (352/360/390 and etc.)

 

Im sorry i misspoke you are correct thanks for that
It is a C6

 

The brakes will be the weakest part of that truck when You load Heavy,that was the reason We had to trade trucks when We bought a larger Boat.

 

1973/79 F250 Camper Specials have dual piston caliper front disc brakes and 12" x 2 1/2" rear drum brakes.

 

Ya I stand corrected the 4x4's Had drum brakes,like mine did.

 

F100/250 4WD came with front/rear drum brakes thru 1975. 1976 was the first year for front disc brakes (standard equipment).

 

You might want to double check your payload rating on your truck. 3400 sounds very high. My 79 f350 8900gvw has about 3600 lbs payload, but your GVW is much lower.

Figure my f350 weighs about 5300, your f250 will be a touch lighter, but not 1000 lbs.

Your math above puts your truck at about 4100 lbs. I don't see it being that light. I think you are looking at a payload of 2500ish from the factory.

Maybe bill can enlighten us on the differences between the brakes on a 79 f350 4x2 and yours to compare your braking ability against one with the higher GVW.

 

My original low mileage, non molested '73 F250 Camper Special had the 390 and C6. I had all the original paperwork that came with the truck, build sheet, etc. You might want to verify your engine size. And of course, Bill, ND, is right on the C6.
For building stability to your rear suspension, install air bags with separate fill. Separate fill is very handy for leveling out a unit that may be loaded one side heavy. IMO, tires, wheels and the Dana 60 will be your points of concern for weight capacity.
We need pictures of the truck.