1978 f-1504x4
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New User
Joined: Aug 2001
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1978 f-1504x4
I have nice totally rebuilt truck but it is a little light duty for hauling my 81/2ft camper even with air bags.Have replaced rear bearings once already.I was thinking instead of selling it and starting all over again and looking for a 3/4 ton,how hard would it be to swap out for 3/4 ton axles and suspension,my biggest concern is if the frame is the same and if the front end can be converted to leaf springs whithout too many alterations.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2001
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1978 f-1504x4
What size is your camper? Your post said 8 1/2'. I can't see that as a problem. How much weight are you trying to pull? How much tongue weight? Why do you consider your truck too light duty?
I have a '73 F100 2wd. I've replaced the rear springs, and it handles great with 1500# in the bed, or with a 5000# trailer. Before I replaced the springs, the trailer really threw my front end around.
A 3/4 ton truck has a heavier chassis, so it is stiffer and has more weight to keep the trailer from pushing it around. Just swapping axles and springs will not do that. If your springs and shocks are in good shape, and that is not enough for the job you are trying to do, you need to just get a bigger truck. I've agonized over the same questions you have, and this was my decision after getting input from this great group. I haven't tried to pull it, but the dry weight on my 31' Airstream is around 5000#. GVW is 7500#, so I'll get a bigger truck when I am ready to tow it around.
I have a '73 F100 2wd. I've replaced the rear springs, and it handles great with 1500# in the bed, or with a 5000# trailer. Before I replaced the springs, the trailer really threw my front end around.
A 3/4 ton truck has a heavier chassis, so it is stiffer and has more weight to keep the trailer from pushing it around. Just swapping axles and springs will not do that. If your springs and shocks are in good shape, and that is not enough for the job you are trying to do, you need to just get a bigger truck. I've agonized over the same questions you have, and this was my decision after getting input from this great group. I haven't tried to pull it, but the dry weight on my 31' Airstream is around 5000#. GVW is 7500#, so I'll get a bigger truck when I am ready to tow it around.
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New User
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1978 f-1504x4
thanks for the info!!
Maybe I misunderstand the maximun 1/2ton payload.What is the actual gvw of a f150 4x4.My camper weighs about 1700lbs. Although the truck handles fine loaded I'm concerned that I'm dangerously overloading the axles.
Maybe I misunderstand the maximun 1/2ton payload.What is the actual gvw of a f150 4x4.My camper weighs about 1700lbs. Although the truck handles fine loaded I'm concerned that I'm dangerously overloading the axles.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
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From: Toronto, Canada
1978 f-1504x4
Payload and towing capacity are totally different things.
Payload only refers to whats in the bed of your truck.
Is your camper an in-bed model?
Even at 1700 pounds in the bed, you won't be overloading your truck too much.
My dad and I load 50 bags of soybeans in the back of our light duty 250 with no problems (6900 gvw). Each bag is 50 lbs. So thats 2500lbs.
If your camper is a towed model, at 1700lbs, you are away to the races too!
Matt
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3ae0a7e34062b4ad.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/weldman/3b8be147257a8888.jpg
1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
Payload only refers to whats in the bed of your truck.
Is your camper an in-bed model?
Even at 1700 pounds in the bed, you won't be overloading your truck too much.
My dad and I load 50 bags of soybeans in the back of our light duty 250 with no problems (6900 gvw). Each bag is 50 lbs. So thats 2500lbs.
If your camper is a towed model, at 1700lbs, you are away to the races too!
Matt
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3ae0a7e34062b4ad.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/weldman/3b8be147257a8888.jpg
1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
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From: SW Michigan
1978 f-1504x4
Nordy, ford considers the 9incher to be a 2900 lb axle, and the back of the truck is not very heavy when empty, so I think your 1700 camper is an easy haul. I have seen half ton truck tests from the late 70s that claimed a payload ability of 2,250lbs on the same setup you have now- without any help from air bags or overload springs. Long ago when I was young and foolish I carried old railroad ties piled up to even with the top of the cab, about 3800 lbs, I think. Rear wheel bearings lasted less a month, I got real skilled at replacing them. The most exspensive bearings also lasted the longest, my best luck was with bearings from NAPA (Timken ?). What kind of bearings did you put in ? DF
