What does 1/4 ton, 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton mean?
#2
The only difference between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton is springs and axles. the weight of the 2 trucks is just the difference in spring and axle weight. The brakes might get bigger as well as the engine...gear ratio etc etc....depending on year and model. Anyway the bigger you go the greater GVRW
#3
#4
the newer model rangers are considered 1/4 ton trucks...i read that here on FTE somewhere........i cant remember how it breaks down for wieght ratios, i know i have had well over 1000lbs in my 1/2 ton truck, but it was set-up to haul a fifth-wheel camper by its first owner so i dont know whats up with the rear springs................
#5
I always used to figure a half ton truck would haul 1,500 lbs. comfortable, and a 3/4 ton about twice that. A one-ton was good for a couple of tons.
I was discussing these descriptive terms with one friend, who said a military 2½ ton truck was supposed to be able to carry that much in combat conditions over hellish terrain; he said in normal use it was assumed to be good for twice it's military load rating.
I always figured half tons had semi-floating rear axles, while 3/4 tons had full floaters. And I figured a half ton would be licensed for 6,000 gross, while a 3/4 ton would be 8,000 licensed. It gets confusing these days, when some base model 3/4 tons have semi-floating axles.
And my '77 F250 is rated for only 6,800, while my friend's '76 F250 looks the same (right down to number of rear spring leaves and width of springs) and is rated for 8200 lbs. A friend tells me his 2004 F150 4x4 was rated to 6,800 and has a class III hitch bumper, which makes for a pretty heavy half ton. I just noticed a single tire 90's Chevy 3500 (that's a one-ton) crew cab that's rated at 9,200 lbs.
Actually, my '66 International 1300 one-ton says on the door plate it's only good for 9,000 lbs. I've seen it at 12,180, and it has incredible axles for a one-ton (Dana 70F front, 10,000 lb. Timken rear). Of course, Cornbinder has always been weird. I have a 1965 900 in my junk collection, a very light short box with the engine from a Scout; I'd call that one a bit less than a true half ton. Some of their "half tons" had full floating axles and heavy wheels.
A friend drives a '95 Dodge 2500 4x4 with Cummins diesel, surely a 3/4 ton, but it has a Dana 60 front and a Dana 70 rear, true one ton axles.
It's just to confusing these days. I would just look at the true GVWR and GAWR's, and let the manufacturer call it whatever he wants; as long as it does the job, I'm happy.
I was discussing these descriptive terms with one friend, who said a military 2½ ton truck was supposed to be able to carry that much in combat conditions over hellish terrain; he said in normal use it was assumed to be good for twice it's military load rating.
I always figured half tons had semi-floating rear axles, while 3/4 tons had full floaters. And I figured a half ton would be licensed for 6,000 gross, while a 3/4 ton would be 8,000 licensed. It gets confusing these days, when some base model 3/4 tons have semi-floating axles.
And my '77 F250 is rated for only 6,800, while my friend's '76 F250 looks the same (right down to number of rear spring leaves and width of springs) and is rated for 8200 lbs. A friend tells me his 2004 F150 4x4 was rated to 6,800 and has a class III hitch bumper, which makes for a pretty heavy half ton. I just noticed a single tire 90's Chevy 3500 (that's a one-ton) crew cab that's rated at 9,200 lbs.
Actually, my '66 International 1300 one-ton says on the door plate it's only good for 9,000 lbs. I've seen it at 12,180, and it has incredible axles for a one-ton (Dana 70F front, 10,000 lb. Timken rear). Of course, Cornbinder has always been weird. I have a 1965 900 in my junk collection, a very light short box with the engine from a Scout; I'd call that one a bit less than a true half ton. Some of their "half tons" had full floating axles and heavy wheels.
A friend drives a '95 Dodge 2500 4x4 with Cummins diesel, surely a 3/4 ton, but it has a Dana 60 front and a Dana 70 rear, true one ton axles.
It's just to confusing these days. I would just look at the true GVWR and GAWR's, and let the manufacturer call it whatever he wants; as long as it does the job, I'm happy.
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#7
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#10
I have never heard of a 1/4 ton truck until a coule of days ago. Does anyone have a link of any kind to a site where Ford calls the Ranger a 1/4 ton truck? I have always heard of a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and a 1 ton truck. Just never heard the Ranger refered to as a 1/4 ton truck. I have always heard it called a compact pickup.
#12
The only difference between a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton is springs and axles. the weight of the 2 trucks is just the difference in spring and axle weight. The brakes might get bigger as well as the engine...gear ratio etc etc....depending on year and model. Anyway the bigger you go the greater GVRW
half ton (F150) has smaller axles (normally a 9"), 5 (or 6) lug wheel hubs, smaller brakes, and springs, as well as many other differences.
while a 3/4 ton (F250) will have a Dana 60 (Full floating) rear axle, with 8 lug hubs/wheels, dual piston disk brakes (bigger than half ton), more load springs, heavier anti-sway bars,
over all, a 3/4 ton truck is set up to haul more cargo, and tow more
I'm not sure,
but there are alot less differences in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks
mostly the spring packs
Don't forget different BADGES
Last edited by KrautBurner; 05-13-2011 at 05:45 PM. Reason: forgot they have different badges
#13
the newer model rangers are considered 1/4 ton trucks...i read that here on FTE somewhere........i cant remember how it breaks down for wieght ratios, i know i have had well over 1000lbs in my 1/2 ton truck, but it was set-up to haul a fifth-wheel camper by its first owner so i dont know whats up with the rear springs................
a ranger is still a half ton truck
payload is 1200lbs or so on the rangers
#14
#15
I have never heard of a 1/4 ton truck until a coule of days ago. Does anyone have a link of any kind to a site where Ford calls the Ranger a 1/4 ton truck? I have always heard of a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and a 1 ton truck. Just never heard the Ranger refered to as a 1/4 ton truck. I have always heard it called a compact pickup.
it is a compact truck,
but according to it's payload, it's still a half ton.
(while most "half ton" full size trucks can haul as much as some older "one ton's")