How much weight can my 1976 F250 handle OK? I don't much care what the law says, I want to know what weight the truck can actually carry. Also what about when I convert it to dual wheels?

Thanks,
335C

 

You have to keep one fact uppermost in mind Clevo.....that truck is working with a set of springs that are 26 or so years OLD!!!!!!and it probably has had the Hell worked out of it ...It needs to have a new set of bushings as well as having the springs re-arched......when it was a new truck and ready to work like an 18 year old , pimpled faced kid , it could probably haul about 3,000 pounds in the rear with no trouble.......I , personally ,wouldn't be hauling any significant loads(on a paved road) until I had the brakes in working order because stopping is just as important as hauling...hope you got a good truck!!fd

 

well the question isssssssss does it have over loads ???? my 79 f-250 pulling a trailer (gooose neck) can handle 5-7 tons now my truck has 13 regular leafs (I built) the factory 7 then I beefed them up with 2 ton leafs then I have 5 over loads now take in mind the trailer has brakes and I keep the electric brakes turn up on hard.
FORDS always look better when pulling a CHEVY

 

Thanks fellas.

Fatdaddy,
I have heard that the F250 could carry 2.5 tone and the 350 was 3.5 tonne, so I was just wondering. I am most likeley getting a new set of bushes, and while Im at it I'll get the springs re arched and tempered, good advice, thanks.
460429 Freak,
This idea of adding more spring leaves sounds good to me, what is involved? And how much more weight could I carry? I would like to be able to carry 2 or 3 tonne and I am willing to spend a few $$$$ on springs, shocks and dual wheels.

335C

 

PS

The brakes on my F250 are good. It has discs on the front and I am thinking of putting discs on the rear, but not sure if I can with dual wheels,

335C

 

>Thanks fellas.
>
>Fatdaddy,
>I have heard that the F250 could carry 2.5 tone and the 350
>was 3.5 tonne, so I was just wondering. I am most likeley
>getting a new set of bushes, and while Im at it I'll get the
>springs re arched and tempered, good advice, thanks.
>460429 Freak,
>This idea of adding more spring leaves sounds good to me,
>what is involved? And how much more weight could I carry?
>I would like to be able to carry 2 or 3 tonne and I am
>willing to spend a few $$$$ on springs, shocks and dual
>wheels.
>
>335C
you'll have to tear it down for a little while until you get all the parts
parts list
2 new I bolts
4 new U bolts
jack
jack stands
spring from the junk yard
torch if possible

well first find out how wide your springs are I think mine was 2 1/4 wide then find out what size the center bolt is on the springs (I bolt) after that go to the local boneyard and start measuring the front of some 2 ton springs width and hole size find the right one and bring them home. you will stack the springs like smaller to larger you can use only the two ton leaving the main spring or mix in the old 3/4 ton spring two how wild you get is up to you I lifted my truck 6 inches frony and back like this (f-250 4x4 ) measure the height of these springs and go get two new I bolt and 4 u bolts from a local semi truck parts place be sure to take you old u bolts and I bolts with you get the I bolt longer (you can cut it off later) they will bend you new u bolts MAKE SURE to buy NEW I BOLTS these are hard steel made for springs if you use any thing else but these you are takeing a chance on breakage later then what i do is on my floor jack I put the first little spring with I bolt through it and start stacking when done stacking I slide it under the main leaf left on the truck jack it up through the hole and put the nut on it after I do both side I set the truck down on the rearend and then tighten the I bolt all the way the extra cut off with a hax saw not a torch put in new u bolts and there you be final cost was 60 for parts I had the springs already.

FORDS always look better when pulling a CHEVY

 

Those of us that offer our advise do so without having to spend any of our MONEY.....therefore it is especially easy for us to spend YOUR money....Before you go and drop 3 or 4 thousand dollars into a 3/4 ton truck......You can probably BUY a decent 1 ton truck that will handle the LOAD that you are wanting to OVERLOAD on your current truck......It already has the springs , brakes , axles , etc. to do what you want to do.....Keeping a truck overloaded is NOT Smart or Safe....in my opinion , good luck

 

i've had over a ton (2000 lbs ) on my f-100 many times for trips to the dump, or material runs, but i would not expect that of it every day, nor would i expect to travel the speed limit.....
when ever your driving an overloaded truck, be very careful, they dont' stop, steer, or react very good. and if an accident occures, you WILL be in deep doo doo over it....

 

hey fatdaddy my upgrades will only cost him $150 to $200 the most if he does the work. also I've tried using a half ton for a tow truck (I was 16 at the time with a homade boom set up)and a half ton rearend (bearings)can't handle the weight you know what I mean when the axle comes out on you..
FORDS always look better when pulling a CHEVY

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Jan-03 AT 00:55 AM (EST)]Thanks again fellas,

I am in Queensland and I don't want to go any bigger than an F250 because then I'll have to get another licence to drive it. I won't be driving it everyday with 2 tonne, probably the usual load for it will be 1 or 2 drums of diesel but I wouldn't mind being able to carry some extra gear for macines and semi trailers occasionaly. I know how much trouble you can get into for overloading, my uncle drives semis for a living. I want to modify my F250 so that it IS SAFE to carry heavier loads. I have 2 sets of springs out of a 1971 F100 and a 1977 F100, would they be useful for adding more leaves to my F250? And what exactly does the spring shop do to the springs to 'recondition' them? New bolts and bushes are on the list 4 sure.

335C

 

they would help but two ton would be better look at the thickness of the spring the 2 ton are thicker

FORDS always look better when pulling a CHEVY