I read somewhere about a beefier frame, anyone know?

 

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/20...sis-37349.html

 

The squat is designed into the truck, that is why there is the "raked" look that people try to correct. There is a push for a car like ride it a truck and it is achieved by design. Our trucks will squat a few inches, this will make it level, and still rides very smooth compared to heavier duty trucks.

You are just used to your past trucks riding like stiff suspended trucks.

 

I have the build data from Ford for the 2010 year model. I'd think that 2011/2012 are similar. In 2010 the Max Payload package included or required:

Thicker frame members (but lower tensile strength), increased RAWR, heavier front and rear springs, 7lug wheels, LT tires. Super Engine Cooling, 9-channel oil-to-air auxiliary transmission oil cooler, specially tuned shocks, 3.73 axle ratio, 36 Gallon fuel tank.

Not all of the above was part of the Max Payload package, some was additional requirements (such as fuel tank)

The Max Trailer package was different and did not include all of this, and had some different components (such as TBC, mirrors, 7 pin rear trailer connector)

 

I tow a fifth wheel with my FX4 SCAB. The pin weight is about 1020 lbs. When I hookup, the bed squats about 1.5" or so. Standing back from the truck, when solo, it looks raked, when the trailer is hitched, the truck looks level. So, yeah, I think you're right about the rake being engineered in to lift the truck off the springs to give it a more "car like" ride. With my truck solo, it seems to be riding more on the ends of the springs and the shocks, but with a load, the springs level out and begin to come into play more. JMHO

 

Heavier frame, springs and differential are in the 2011 HD Payload package.

 

I guess ford has modified the 9.75. We know they make the 6 lug standard and then the 7 lug. So if this is the case, are the axles a higher spline count or just thicker in general. Does anyone know what the case is about a "HD" rear?

 

It's not the 9.75. That's always been a 6-lug. The 7-lug HD axle is a 10.25. They also used this 10.25 on the 04-08 HD F150s

Edit: I was wrong about the 2012s HD Package, although they used the 10.25 for HD in 04-08, they are in fact using a 7-lug 9.75 gear set axle for the 2012 HD F150. This info is per the Build your own F150 page.