payload
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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payload
I wanted to know how much more payload I could give my 97 f150 reg cab short bed 4x4 with auto tranny 4.6L. I am a realist, I'm not trying to get up to f250 standards, every pound i can gain helps for work though. I know theres add-a-leafs, helper springs, and air bags. Or just get a new stacks. Opinons on what I should do? I go offroad a lot too. Didnt know if one would be better suited to handle offraod too, or if airbag system would get damaged
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Helper springs will increase you "loaded" capacity some. A tranny cooler will help when hauling, but the total load for pulling may not increase with those since alot of it is also determined by the drivetrain and engine.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
I know you said you didn't want to make it into a 250, but let's see what Ford made using your truck and the same year 250LD as a comparison.
The stock 97-99 F250 LD (the non-SD 250, body like the 150) with a 4.6/auto and 3.73s (came in 138" wheelbase as a 4x4 - yours is a 120" probably with 3.55s) had a GVWR of 7200 vs the max of 6000 for the short bed F150 4x4. The big difference is the internal & structural rigidity of the 250's frame - you're not going to be able compensate for that. The rear springs, brakes, shocks, tires and wheels, 10.25" rear axle & heavy duty tranny cooler would be the secondary differences than can be made up for to some degree. The front tortion bars require an alteration, as well. I'm not sure, but I think the pearch for the adjustment sits about a foot further back - the tortion bars are essentially the front suspension.
You can up the payload, but without upgrading the system as a whole, you're begging for trouble.
-Kerry
The stock 97-99 F250 LD (the non-SD 250, body like the 150) with a 4.6/auto and 3.73s (came in 138" wheelbase as a 4x4 - yours is a 120" probably with 3.55s) had a GVWR of 7200 vs the max of 6000 for the short bed F150 4x4. The big difference is the internal & structural rigidity of the 250's frame - you're not going to be able compensate for that. The rear springs, brakes, shocks, tires and wheels, 10.25" rear axle & heavy duty tranny cooler would be the secondary differences than can be made up for to some degree. The front tortion bars require an alteration, as well. I'm not sure, but I think the pearch for the adjustment sits about a foot further back - the tortion bars are essentially the front suspension.
You can up the payload, but without upgrading the system as a whole, you're begging for trouble.
-Kerry
