Hello from Australia - Front Axle Reserve Capacity Help
07-16-2017, 07:49 AM
#1
Hello from Australia - Front Axle Reserve Capacity Help
Hi,
First time poster here
I've got a 1989 F-150 Single Cab / LWB 4WD with a Dana44 TTB & 8.8 Rear. I've recently installed a steel bull bar and looking for some front axle capacity / reserve capacity specifications. I just want to ensure it's within legal limits... and specifications are difficult to come by here in Australia (F Trucks are rare) & I couldn't find anything on the Net expect Bronco specifications.
I can see people in US attaching snow plows to these, so it shouldn't be a problem... but I'd rather be legal for insurance purposes etc.
Pic of bull bar:
Cheers, Daniel
First time poster here
I've got a 1989 F-150 Single Cab / LWB 4WD with a Dana44 TTB & 8.8 Rear. I've recently installed a steel bull bar and looking for some front axle capacity / reserve capacity specifications. I just want to ensure it's within legal limits... and specifications are difficult to come by here in Australia (F Trucks are rare) & I couldn't find anything on the Net expect Bronco specifications.
I can see people in US attaching snow plows to these, so it shouldn't be a problem... but I'd rather be legal for insurance purposes etc.
Pic of bull bar:
Cheers, Daniel
07-17-2017, 06:15 AM
#4
Thank's for your replies. I will take some pictures next weekend.
I don't have any front/rear axle weighs on the door sticker. I only have total vehicle GVM - 3000kg. That's it. Here, in Aus, we are about 20-30 years behind Europe in legal / vehicle standards. We didn't even have to have catalytic converters on utes / trucks until late 90s. Hence at least for my truck, it's looking like front/rear axle loads are not enforceable. We actually don't have the general practice of enforcing individual axle weighs for passenger vehicles here... I just wanted to keep it safe & legal, in the case my ball joints snap off on the highway or something.
My truck has 4 shocks on the front if that makes a difference. I ordered some springs to make it sit a bit higher with this weight.
For those interested:
1. F-Trucks are rare in Australia and were produced / put together locally until 1992 or thereabouts. They are extremely expensive - you are looking for $15K-$20K for something in my average condition and upwards of $30K for a good 4x4 1978 F100 model. The 1978 models seems to be the most prized, from what I looked. There are new models that were selectively imported and converted, but they are usually priced $100K +.
2. We don't have frame rust here, so trucks last forever. Just the cabs suffer a bit.
3. All F-trucks in Australia came with 302 or 351 Cleveland engines until like 1985. I don't think these engines were popular in US. My late-model (relatively) truck has a 302 Windsor. Which I actually think is a better engine than a Cleveland... but that's an old debate here.
4. Bullbars are very popular here. They are designed to deflect kangaroos on impact. We don't have them in urban areas, but if you drive out in the country at night without a bull bar, you risk being stuck on the road with a ruined front end / burst radiator. It's something very unique to Australia.... kangaroos are very erratic. The design I have is called a 5 poster, probably one of the more extreme designs.
5. All F trucks (F100-F350) in Australia came with C6 transmissions or manuals. We didn't have the 4 speed here.
6. RHD steer parts are extremely expensive.... steering boxes, drag links etc. Everything else for F trucks, general wear items etc. are very cheap.
Cheers,
Dan.
I don't have any front/rear axle weighs on the door sticker. I only have total vehicle GVM - 3000kg. That's it. Here, in Aus, we are about 20-30 years behind Europe in legal / vehicle standards. We didn't even have to have catalytic converters on utes / trucks until late 90s. Hence at least for my truck, it's looking like front/rear axle loads are not enforceable. We actually don't have the general practice of enforcing individual axle weighs for passenger vehicles here... I just wanted to keep it safe & legal, in the case my ball joints snap off on the highway or something.
My truck has 4 shocks on the front if that makes a difference. I ordered some springs to make it sit a bit higher with this weight.
For those interested:
1. F-Trucks are rare in Australia and were produced / put together locally until 1992 or thereabouts. They are extremely expensive - you are looking for $15K-$20K for something in my average condition and upwards of $30K for a good 4x4 1978 F100 model. The 1978 models seems to be the most prized, from what I looked. There are new models that were selectively imported and converted, but they are usually priced $100K +.
2. We don't have frame rust here, so trucks last forever. Just the cabs suffer a bit.
3. All F-trucks in Australia came with 302 or 351 Cleveland engines until like 1985. I don't think these engines were popular in US. My late-model (relatively) truck has a 302 Windsor. Which I actually think is a better engine than a Cleveland... but that's an old debate here.
4. Bullbars are very popular here. They are designed to deflect kangaroos on impact. We don't have them in urban areas, but if you drive out in the country at night without a bull bar, you risk being stuck on the road with a ruined front end / burst radiator. It's something very unique to Australia.... kangaroos are very erratic. The design I have is called a 5 poster, probably one of the more extreme designs.
5. All F trucks (F100-F350) in Australia came with C6 transmissions or manuals. We didn't have the 4 speed here.
6. RHD steer parts are extremely expensive.... steering boxes, drag links etc. Everything else for F trucks, general wear items etc. are very cheap
.Cheers,
Dan.
Last edited by danielruss88; 07-17-2017 at 06:17 AM.
The following users liked this post:
justintendo (07-20-2017)
07-23-2017, 03:38 PM
#5
Hi. Just for your curiosity, I checked a 4x4 at the shop. Sticker says the front axle is good for 2900 lbs (1315 kg) with the wheels and tires. I don't know why they included that last bit, but they did.
2wd is rated for 2800 lbs - including the wheels and tires.
2wd is rated for 2800 lbs - including the wheels and tires.
07-24-2017, 01:01 AM
#6
I've actually got in touch with Ford and I think we've got some different specs on the F trucks here compared to what you have in the states. They've done a RHD conversion here, so I think they did less variety and options to save on costs.... I would bet the frame is the same on the F250's here.
These are the specs from Ford (still waiting on confirmation in writing):
Front Axle Capacity: 1610kg ( ~3550 lbs )
Rear Axle Capacity: 1701kg ( ~3750 lbs )
Frame Thickness: ~ 4.6mm - 0.180"
I find it a bit hard to believe on a 1315kg rating, it would be overweight without a bull bar and just me in the drivers seat! How does that work? I went on a weighbridge with just myself and front axle was 1,440Kg. The bull bar is approx. 100kg-120kg
Here's another pic of the truck!
Dan
Last edited by danielruss88; 07-24-2017 at 01:09 AM.
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David Young (07-24-2017)
