SoCalDude

I put 1/2 yard of pea gravel into my 2017 SXT (Supercrew, 2..7L, 2WD, 5.5 ft bed). Bed went down to the axles or almost. Probably about 1,200 lbs.
I put 1 yard of top soil into same. Bed went down to the axles or almost. Probably the same. It was very dry top soil. Almost dust. When shoveling out, it was not stuck together - so the load was pretty dry. Got home just fine without any engine strain.

I have an M998 (Military HMMWV) that weighs 5,925 lbs at the scales (Actual weight of my modified vehicle.) I ran out of fuel going up a hill near my home. (Eight of a tank in a long and narrow tank is not an eighth). It was steep, perhaps 35 - 40 degrees. (I don't know the percentage grade and let's not go there.) Called my wife to come with the tow strap. Beyond some tire slippage, putting the car in tow, it pulled me up to a flat spot like a champ!

So, the power is there in the 2.7L engines - but not the load capacity. I was surprised. With 7,500 lb towing capacity, I kind of knew the power would be there but I was completely surprised about its ability to hand a load.

Question: Can I upgrade the shocks without affecting the ride? What do you recommend? Do I need coils too?

chimmike

take about 30 seconds and search in the 2015+ section regarding shocks.

Shocks don't prevent the back end from bottoming, that's wholly springs.

PerryB

Look into airbags to reduce the squatting. I have them on all my trucks and really like them (obviously I guess...). If you really want to get fancy you can install an on-board air system to adjust the bag pressure on the go. Unless you get the heavy payload option (HDPP - kinda rare) modern 150's are sprung pretty soft for street ride quality.

Bubbabiker

Easy solution would be a set of Timbrens.

mass-hole

You have a couple things going against you.

1. you bought a half ton truck, its not meant to drive around loaded to the max all the time
2. You bought a 2.7 truck without the Payload Package(i assume), which comes with some of the softest springs available on an F150 which is already soft to begin with. Soft springs mean lots of squat and you basically bought the worst F150 you could as far as hauling weight is concerned.

What I would recommend is that if you are planning on carrying a lot of weight a significant amount of time, get some helper leaf springs. If you only occasionally carry weight then get some air bags as to not effect the unloaded ride quality. For your truck the AirLift Ridecontrol bags

mikeinatlanta

My 01 screw is basically a crown vic in a pickup dress. Through the years I have done more damage hauling this type of load than anything else. Best move I made was a high quality single axle trailer to do all the dirty work.

clarkbre

Based on the scientific experiments between hauling pea gravel, dry dirt and towing an under fueled Humvee out of the woods, I would suggest selling both the Humvee & F150, upgrading to an F350 and a 5k lbs rated utility trailer....

....it'd be cheaper for insurance purposes.

clarkbre

Hahaha. Great minds think alike. Does that make a Crown Vic sans the trunk lid an F150 Screw?

acdii

A set of Sumo Springs are a good choice as well.

mikeinatlanta

Ever watch Street Outlaws? Think a Crown Vic version of farmbird.