frame strength?
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frame strength?
I'm wondering just how much weight I can load in the bed of my 78 F250 before I have frame problems? There is no rust as I painted it last year. I get kind of nervious for the frame's sake when loading the both heavy like 4klbs +. Are these(73-79 F100-250 frames known to be weak? How about stength when compared to the 92-97 F250's??? If I were to strengthen it I would take a flat piece of metal( about 1/8" thick and bend it to conform to the outside of the frame rails mainly at the drop in the frame rail where the box meets the cab and probably forword of that and back of that abou 6-8". Do I have the right idea??? where are some other stress pionts on these frames when the box is loaded??
PS It started life as a F150 and then I put the dual pistion/8 lug axles under it. I measured and my donor 74 f250 had the same thickness in frames and crosss members were the same.Also it would be silly for ford to make 3-4 diffrent frames(F100,f150,f250,f350) for there truck in a given year seems to me they made 1 frame and just changed the axles/springs and wieght plating.
Thanks
Dustin
PS It started life as a F150 and then I put the dual pistion/8 lug axles under it. I measured and my donor 74 f250 had the same thickness in frames and crosss members were the same.Also it would be silly for ford to make 3-4 diffrent frames(F100,f150,f250,f350) for there truck in a given year seems to me they made 1 frame and just changed the axles/springs and wieght plating.
Thanks
Dustin
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You can load a truck heavily way past the carrying capacity but they should never be moved at that point. Stay within the GVWR your truck is rated for to avoid dangerous issues such as stopping and loss of control even at slow speeds and off road.
I am sure there will be people that will say they carried x Tons at xxmph xxx distance but they are fools and endangering not only themselves but everyone else around them.
I am sure there will be people that will say they carried x Tons at xxmph xxx distance but they are fools and endangering not only themselves but everyone else around them.
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Originally Posted by Dustin_86
PS It started life as a F150 and then I put the dual pistion/8 lug axles under it. I measured and my donor 74 f250 had the same thickness in frames and crosss members were the same.Also it would be silly for ford to make 3-4 diffrent frames(F100,f150,f250,f350) for there truck in a given year seems to me they made 1 frame and just changed the axles/springs and wieght plating.
Thanks
Dustin
Thanks
Dustin
I did the same thing as you. I used an F150 frame to convert my F250 to 4wd after I saw that the frame strength was the same. I was looking at the 2 and saw that they were VERY similar in shape and thickness. The reason I did it was that I like the coil spring ride. Hope all this helps.
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So how strong are they compared to the late 90's bid three frame?? Is there a danger "point" when loading it up- Say will these frames buckle with 5,000lbs in the bed or are they stronger than that??? I have looked at it and it appears very strong.
I know GM had weak frames from 88-99ish ven on thier 3500 models I have seem MANY buckle where the cab meets the box
I know GM had weak frames from 88-99ish ven on thier 3500 models I have seem MANY buckle where the cab meets the box
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From: Honkytonkville
buddy the only thing I have to say is you are not gonna get a straight answer out of anyone if you're trying to convince us it's ok to put 5000 lbs in the bed of your 1/2 ton truck. not only is it illegal, it's extremely unsafe for many more reasons other than your frame buckling. save your self the trouble and risk and go get a little dump trailer for a couple grand and haul your 5000+ with no problem.
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Unless you have a rust issue the frame will support more weight than what is safe for driving. Id be more concerned about stopping and turning with an overloaded truck. The front tires wont do you any good when you are doing a wheelie down the road but your frame will be fine at least until you crash into something with an unsafe truck. Oh and Im sure the 90's trucks can be overloaded and dangerous just the same without the frame giving out.
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According to my book, the 70s frames for light duty trucks are 36,000 psi rated. I would think, AS FAR AS THE FRAME, that 5000 lbs is no problem, but as far as the rest of the truck, no way. Why do you want to put 5000 lbs in the bed anyway?
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I agree with most guys here, Dustin86. You can load your truck that much, but why in the hell would you want to. Think about this - if you had an accident with ANY overloaded truck and you hurt or kill someone in an accident, you will be asking more questions than "will my frame hold 5000 #". USE YOUR HEAD!!!
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I do not carry 5,000lbs I was just wandering at what will the frame handle. I have a FF dana 60 under the rear on load G tires, 16" wheels I have a WAY overbuilt leaf spring pack 16 on EACH side. I can't even count how many 99-04 F250's I see going down the road with 2 pallets of sod They are WAY WAY over the GVW but they say it handles FINE legally a PSD f250 can carry about 1100lbs before overloading it that is 6 light people. My GAWR's are rear=6,000 , and front 3560lbs IF I keep my truck within the gross axle wieght combined I should be fine. I'd HOPE????? Am I missing something 9560-4260= 5300lbs
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The axles may carry the weight but the brake system, steering, wheels, driveline, etc are not rated for the load. The GVWR is calculated to be the max the vehicle system, not individual components, can legally carry safely. If you exceed that rating it is not safe for you or those around you. That being said trucks are overloaded every day. Many times we see the results in road carnage. I have even seen disasters from legally loaded vehicles that were put under an unusual stress by a dip in the road, pothole, or road debris. Go ahead and take a chance with your own life but you have no right to endanger others.
