weight difference between 70s and 80s model
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From: Perry Florida
weight difference between 70s and 80s model
what is the weight difference between say a 79 f150 4x4 swb and a 86 f150 4x4 swb. i was told they dropped 1000 lbs but want to know for shure
FTE Legend
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From: Northeast, OK
Mine was across the scales 3 weeks ago: 4700 with two of us in it. I'd break it down as:
- 4700 total
- 380 lbs for the two of us
- 120 lbs for the toolbox and contents
- 4200 lbs for the truck
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From: Perry Florida
care to elaborate on this? its almost like no one has any info on these changes from 70s to 80s. i do know that the 80s was a time where gas milage and efeciency was a issue but idk what changes ford made to the thickness of the sheetmetal. it does seem like a 70-79 is a whole lot harder to dent than a 80-96
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Wausau, WI
Pre'80s trucks had thicker sheet metal to get the strength that was required for what was needed. In the early 80s, Ford started using a tempered sheet. That way they can use thinner material and still have the same strength. Look at how thin the sheet metal is on todays cars, and just as strong. Just don't confuse this with hardened materials, it's two different animals.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Perry Florida
Pre'80s trucks had thicker sheet metal to get the strength that was required for what was needed. In the early 80s, Ford started using a tempered sheet. That way they can use thinner material and still have the same strength. Look at how thin the sheet metal is on todays cars, and just as strong. Just don't confuse this with hardened materials, it's two different animals.
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Senior User
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From: Perry Florida
also is there any solid evidence of ford using thinner sheetmetal in the 80s vs 70s? im trying to gather some info on wether or not my next project will be a 76-79, or 83-86. my plans on this project will be a Burple paint job with my built 547 stroker
on 17/40 ground hawgs and 1 tons all the way around. any ideas and comments are welcome
on 17/40 ground hawgs and 1 tons all the way around. any ideas and comments are welcome
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From: Tustin, CA
My 85 F150 2wd, lwb, 4.9L with a manual transmission and completely bare bones interior weighs 3900 lbs at the recycling center with 140 pounds of scrap and 450 lbs of people inside and about a quarter tank of gas. If their scale is to be believed, then my truck weighs 3300 and some change. I should point out though that it has a spartan interior. No carpet, no sound padding, no ac, just the basics.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
The difference in empty weight between my 1972 F-250 and my 1981 F-150 was 1500 lbs, using the same scale etc.
So about 1000 lbs would be an good guestimate. The 1967-1972 were heavier than the 1973-1979. I also had a 1973 F-100 etc... Don't remember the weight difference with that, possibly because it wasn't significant. 500-700lbs?
One way to give a rough estimate would be the GVWR. Take the maximum GVWR, and take away 1000lbs, should give you a rough estimate of what a half ton truck weighs empty.
So about 1000 lbs would be an good guestimate. The 1967-1972 were heavier than the 1973-1979. I also had a 1973 F-100 etc... Don't remember the weight difference with that, possibly because it wasn't significant. 500-700lbs?
One way to give a rough estimate would be the GVWR. Take the maximum GVWR, and take away 1000lbs, should give you a rough estimate of what a half ton truck weighs empty.
FTE Legend
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From: Northeast, OK
Why take away 1000 lbs? Just trying to learn.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Wausau, WI
also is there any solid evidence of ford using thinner sheetmetal in the 80s vs 70s? im trying to gather some info on wether or not my next project will be a 76-79, or 83-86. my plans on this project will be a Burple paint job with my built 547 stroker on 17/40 ground hawgs and 1 tons all the way around. any ideas and comments are welcome
on 17/40 ground hawgs and 1 tons all the way around. any ideas and comments are welcomeThis isn't solid evidence, but rather what I've experienced.
I've pulled a lot of cabs on trucks in the past, and this is a quick example on two that I have.
The cab on my '86 is actually a '81 cab. It took four of us to lift it from one frame to the next.
The cab on my '81 is off of a '90. It only took two of us to pick it up and carry it around with ease.
Both cabs were completely stripped. Interior, glass and anything that was bolted or screwed down was removed on both. There is a definite weight difference between the two, even though both "look" identical.
Post Fiend
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From: Northern California
1000lbs equals 1/2 ton. Take away 1000lbs for a F-150 etc...
The Maximum GVWR on the safety certification lable is the trucks maximum weight when loaded.
Take 1000 lbs off that number and it will give you a rough estimate of what the truck weighs empty.
5250 GVWR take away 1000 will give you 4250 or 2 1/8 tons.
It will be off by a few hundred pounds but will give you a rough idea.
The Maximum GVWR on the safety certification lable is the trucks maximum weight when loaded.
Take 1000 lbs off that number and it will give you a rough estimate of what the truck weighs empty.
5250 GVWR take away 1000 will give you 4250 or 2 1/8 tons.
It will be off by a few hundred pounds but will give you a rough idea.