Notices
2004 - 2008 F150 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Ford F150's with 5.4 V8, 4.6 V8 engine
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Full Float Axles

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 07:21 PM
  #1  
whodat_ford's Avatar
whodat_ford
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Full Float Axles

I have a 2005 F-150 and I was wondering if there are any drawbacks to installing a 10.5 full float rear axle. I saw on another forum that the truck would "take more to turn the bigger axle". How true is this? Other than the different wheels, are there any drawbacks to doing this? I would like to increase payload.

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 07:57 PM
  #2  
papasmurf40's Avatar
papasmurf40
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Brantford
You can't increase payload because on the drivers door is a sticker that says the gvwr of the truck. There is no way to increase the gvrw of the truck other than jacking up the rad cap and putting a 3/4 or one ton underneath it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 08:30 PM
  #3  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
"full float" refers to heavy 3/4 or 1 ton axles. You would have 8 bolt wheels with that setup...... The rest of the truck , as mentioned, would still be light duty... transmission / motor / springs / front axle / frame... etc ....... what are you trying to do ? If your putting more weight in the bed of the truck , you can add helper springs ... but don't go over the rating for the remainder of the truck......... If you want pulling power, change the rear axle gear ratio, not the axle type.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 08:38 PM
  #4  
whodat_ford's Avatar
whodat_ford
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I understand the GVWR would not be changed. I may be pulling near 9000 pounds and was concerned about tongue weight on the axle shafts.

I know the 5.4 can do it since it was an available engine on 2005 F-250s, and the frame is 36 thousand p.s.i., same as the F-250 frame I believe. Springs would be upgraded, so transmission would be the light duty part along with the front suspension.

I want to know how much more torque is required to turn the wheels on a 10.5 vs. a 9.75 axle.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 10:51 PM
  #5  
papasmurf40's Avatar
papasmurf40
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Brantford
As far as turning a 10.5 vs a 9.75 i dont imagine its much. Dont forget most 150's with 5.4 motors will pull a 9k trailer and thats with a 9.75 axle. I Believe the rating on these are 3800 and 4050 lbs. Dont forget you shouldnt go over the gawr on the trucks and the fact if you had a larger axle you would go over gvw before you could gross out the heavier axle.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 01:51 AM
  #6  
twigsV10's Avatar
twigsV10
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by whodat_ford
I understand the GVWR would not be changed. I may be pulling near 9000 pounds and was concerned about tongue weight on the axle shafts.

I know the 5.4 can do it since it was an available engine on 2005 F-250s, and the frame is 36 thousand p.s.i., same as the F-250 frame I believe. Springs would be upgraded, so transmission would be the light duty part along with the front suspension.

I want to know how much more torque is required to turn the wheels on a 10.5 vs. a 9.75 axle.

Thanks!
Are you pulling 9000 pounds or are you looking at 9000 pounds of tongue weight? A 8.8 will even pull that no problem, I've pulled 25,000 pounds of farm wagons with a my old 94 f150 with an 8.8 but the max bed/pin weight it would handle was around 4,000 lbs, with a leaf springs in back from a f250 otherwise bone stock. I buy no means recommend trying this as it maxed out absolutely everything on my 94 f150 with a 8.8 especially the breaks and tires!!! Your rear axel is buy far a weak point it will take anything the rest of the truck can throw at it and then some.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 07:54 AM
  #7  
whodat_ford's Avatar
whodat_ford
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thanks. I understand now. I would be pulling around 9,000 pounds with a flat deck trailer so the tongue weight wouldn't be too much.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 08:14 PM
  #8  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
With a trailer, you still load it so it has a given tongue weight. Normally that is 500- 700 pounds. The other 8500 pounds is on the trailer tires..... Your main concern should be brakes and transmission.. Your rear axle gear ratio will determine how fast you can get up to speed ..Drive shaft U joints may be smaller version also.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 08:17 PM
  #9  
whodat_ford's Avatar
whodat_ford
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Have there been any brake upgrades done on these F-150s?
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 10:52 PM
  #10  
twigsV10's Avatar
twigsV10
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by whodat_ford
Have there been any brake upgrades done on these F-150s?
You can put drilled/slotted rotors and aftermarket pads on for "increased brakeing performance" but my 05 expedition has more the adequate stoping power stock, pulled a 8000+# TT all over the Black Hills and unless going over 70 mph or pulling a very steep grade you could almost forget the trailer was back there. The two best things for towing I would recommend, A good weight distributing hitch with sway control and a good Electric brake controller as I've had some that were just plain annoying.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 11:08 PM
  #11  
twigsV10's Avatar
twigsV10
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
What engine and axel gearing do you have? That will be the biggist limiting factors for what your looking to tow. I probably wouldn't try it with the 4.6 and definitely not with the 4.2. The 5.4 will struggle if you have 3.55 gears, 3.73 or lower are much better for towing.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
boomertc35d
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
4
Feb 16, 2007 05:46 PM
SPL Tech
Excursion - King of SUVs
23
Jan 8, 2007 10:44 PM
mustange70
Offroad & 4x4
23
Jan 17, 2006 08:11 PM
chrono4
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
2
Mar 31, 2005 06:17 PM
kohlerjd110
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Apr 12, 2003 09:54 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:04 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE