hi guys i own a 1997 f150 lariat ext cab 2 wheel drive with the 5.4 motor im wondering how many sandbags i would need to get around in the winter time....i was thinking 3 or 4 would this be enough??thanks alan also whats the ratio of gears in my rearend??? where can i find this at thanks again alan

 

Moved to proper forum.

 

OPPS sorry about that should have looked farther..

 

Who needs sandbags? Just throw the snowmachine in the back and that way you can just pull over and go sledding whenever you feel like it like I do. lol seriously that does work great but when I take the snowmachine out for any length of time. I just throw 4-6 sandbags in that weigh 60 pounds apiece. at least 2 on each side and 1 or 2 in the middle just for good measures. That really helps out, not as good as the snowmachine but it does help. I would think even 2 sandbags would help you out a little bit but 4-6 really help

 

My '99 shortbed came with a dealer installed bed liner. There are several cast notches embedded into the sides that are meant for emplacement of 2X4s to divide the bed into sections. Simply cut a 2X4 to fit, shuck it into a notch close to the tailgate, and then pile up 4 or 5 70 lb. bags of tube sand. Instant ballast (and the 2X4 keeps the tubes from sliding around). I've made it to work through many an icy and snowy morn using this method coupled with careful driving.

 

Any amount of weight would be an imporovement, but I used to carry 3-4 sandbags in my Ranger to make up for my lack of traction.

 

Using 2x4's, I made a frame that holds my sandbags in the middle, above the axel. I put 5 between the wheel wells for 300lbs of added weight.

 

I usually use 4-5 of the 70 pound tubes o sand... so around 300 ish....

 

Try to keep the sandbags located between the wheelwells for proper balance and handling. Too much weight positioned too close to the tailgate will cause fishtailing issues.

 

And take away all my fun??

 

Like Billybob, I made a frame out of some 1 X 4's to keep the bags from sliding around. The first time I had the bags in the back without the frame and came to a fast stop, the bags slid to the front of the bed and smacked into the cab. Thought it was going to push me through the intersection. I also added a small chain and hooks to the front of the frame to hook into the bed tiedowns. I don't like hauling anything in the bed not tied down (except 80lb bags of sand) in case of a wreck and the cargo becomes airborn. I also think it is the law.

 

Almost a 100% chance that 3.55 is your gear ratio.
There is a metle tag bolted to the pumpkin that will tell you.
If you have an open differential it will say 355 and some random letters i think.
if it is Limited slip (I think most of the 5.4's are) it will have 355LS in there some where.

 

You can check your ratio by looking at the door sticker on the driver door. Check out FTE's door sticker decoder https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...r_Decoder.html