i went to my local dealer yesterday to MAYBE look into trading in my F350 for a new F150. Im looking at a 5.0, crew cab but i want the 6 3/4' bed, 3.73 electric locker. I want the mad payload because i tow a duck boat, i get wood from around my town so i can chop it and burn in my garage all winter so i need the higher payload and stiffer springs. NOW the problem is the closest dealer that has one for me to look at and test drive is almost 20 miles away and my dealer said if i get the 6 3/4' bed it comes with the HD package but it gives you 7 lug axles? He said this will be a problem with lifting the truck and adding aftermarket wheels when im ready to after i buy it?

 

The 6 1/2' box does not dictate the HD package with 7 lug axle. Your local dealer does not have a clue. You can get the 6 1/2' box in many other configurations. You may want the Max tow package if your duck boat is heavy. Again this package would have the standard 6 lug.

 

Hi SuperDutyScaler!
A good starting point for seeing available configurations is Ford's build & price page.
Are you looking at screws? If so, then the HD payload package is only available with the 6.5' bed (157" WB), and only with a LS rear end (no locker). But as Rob said, 6.5' bed does NOT automatically mean HD payload.
Yes, it does come with 7 lug wheels, which will make the aftermarket wheel selection somewhat limited. But, if you need HD payload, then a lift and aftermarket wheels are most likely not the best idea anyway as those usually negatively effect the trucks hauling / towing capabilities. It is difficult to find reasonably priced aftermarket wheels with a load capacity close to Ford's 7-lugs, most have very low load capacities anyway. Not much of a point paying for HD payload if you later reduce the capacity with aftermarket wheels.

 

yes i want a crew cab, and i want the 6 3/4' bed. i just figured if i get the normal payload that when i load the bed with fresh cut wood, mulch, topsoil, etc its gonna be sitting on the bump stops dragging the bumper on the ground. only thing i have to compare to my F350 is my cousin's brand new crew cab 5' bed GMC 1500 that we loaded a bed full of fresh cut cherry in monday night about a foot above the bed rails and his truck was sitting low, not bumper hitting low but low enough that if i bought a F150 and did this like i do ill have to get a add a leaf instaled or air bags or some other type of payload helper.

 

and also with the normal payload ill put me my girlfriend, my 6 and 8 year old, my 70lb GSP male, and then my 20ft CC boat and ill probally be over the gvw, payload?

 

and the lift kit wont hurt the payload, especially since a four inch lift will have a add a leaf so it will help a little, it will come down to the wheels unless i keep the stock wheels and just add bigger tires, and that only if the front lift knuckles can use the factory offset wheels

 

SuperDutyScaler,
An XLT HD Payload will put you at about 2200 lbs payload. A non-HD Payload in the same configuration will put you at about 1800 with the Max Tow. Just for figures...

 

Fords build and price says a 5' bed has 1700lb payload
6' bed has 2400lb payload
and the 6' bed has the electric locker with 3.73 gears which i want

 

A lift will change the geometries, how forces are transferred to the frame, axle and wheels and most likely in a negative way when talking about load hauling or towing. If I would be planning on using the truck to it's limits, I'd stay away from a lift. Payload is not about springs and sagging only.
About the GWV and the boat: how much tongue weight does the boat / trailer combo have? What's the total weight with gear and gas in the tank?

The payload numbers that are listed on Ford's page are maximum numbers for that configuration. Be careful there and do your research. No, you can't have locker and HD payload at the same time. Try to build it, you'll see.

 

thanks smoke, i figured that why the build page changes it by itself with the 6' bed option, and it lets me pick 3.73 electric locker option and my dealer said i could do it also. Only problem is when i pick the wheels i want on the build page its the same ones that come with the 5' bed? Its saying there is no seven lug with the 6' bed?

 

i clicked on crewcab, 6' bed, then 5.0, 4x4, and 3.73 locker and it lets you, i even asked my dealer and he said i could too?

 

That's because if you want the HD payload package, you need to select the 3.73 limited slip rear axle, and not locking. Try it. Believe me.

 

No, with 3.73 locking rear axle you can't get HD payload, which is required for the 7-lug wheels and axle.
If you can select that, then pls. show a screen shot. I can't select that combination. I think your dealer has no idea, and that is not unheard of.

 

ok i choose XL truck, Lariet and they are all the same? 2200lb payload and none list a HD package, only the max tow?

 

OK i did what you said and it popped up that the LS comes with max tow and payload, and the wheels changed to the seven lug. Sorry for being stubborn flixden