aliass24

Find out if ford offered a heavier payload pkg. for that model year then just get the rear spring part number.

PerryB

It's about a hundred times easier to install airbags.

marshallr

Adding air bags or other suspension modifications doesn't improve payload, it simply hides the problem by getting the truck to sit level again. In fact it may decrease payload by adding more weight. Wanna haul more weight, get a bigger truck, or one with fewer options.

The Gross vehicle weight rating won't change regardless of modifications. The combined weight of the truck and everything in it remains the same. A regular cab truck with basic options on it has the same total weight rating as a Super Crew loaded up with options. But since the regular cab weighs less it can haul more.

Then you have to consider the weight on each axle. If you're building a sports car you try to get equal weight on both front and rear axles for best handling and braking. Trucks, unloaded, are heavier in the front and don't drive like sports cars. But if too much of the weight is on the rear axle, then you don't have enough weight in the front axle.

The one that does 100% of the steering and about 75% of the braking. Even if you modify the suspension to sit level you are over loaded and creating a dangerous driving situation. Modifying the suspension or adding air bags may well help improve handling when hauling heavy loads that are right at the max allowable. But don't increase those numbers.

If you really NEED to haul that much weight,and a bigger truck isn't an option then a trailer is the next best option. I bought a Tacoma about 11 years ago and quickly found it lacking in payload capacity. I bought a 10' utility trailer and can pull more weight in it than I could put in a 3/4 ton bed. I actually found it easier to load and unload

Simnut

But that won't increase the payload rating of the truck. The payload of the truck is as it stands...not matter what you add to it. There is only one way and that is to get Ford to re "certify" the truck. I'm thinking you can buy a more capable truck with the money that would cost you.



Adding items....like I did with my SumoSprings.....helps the truck carry what it's rated to carry. That is all a person can do.

Steve83

Brakes are arguably the most-critical component in payload/trailer capacity. A Fiesta engine can eventually get a cement truck up to 50 or 100 mph. But that's not going to get it certified for that much weight. Neither is suspension capacity or chassis rigidity. If you can't stop that much weight in a reasonable distance, you can't legally tow/haul it.

But you're right, l3rian, that the point is it's NOT just one thing. It's everything. And marshallr & Simnut are right about any additional equipment REDUCING the available payload/trailer capacity.

l3rian

This got me thinking...

The GVWR is set, it's right on the sticker. So what he can do to legally increase payload is remove stuff from the truck that it came with.

So do you really need the back seats, spare tire, tailgate, exhaust system, doors, hood, passenger seat, that big toolbox in your pic (although that's just reducing it so taking it out just gets you back closer to the sticker), bumpers, radio, rear glass, running boards... I'm sure there's lots of other nonessential parts you can live without to legally get to your "half ton" truck to haul 1 ton.

I'm kind of being a smart butt here, but the point is there is nothing you can do to increase the number on the sticker. And I'm not trying to play the police. I've overloaded vehicles before occasionally.

Now if you don't care about the potential legal consequences, airbags would help, E rated tires will help a lot, shocks will help control the extra weight. The bump stops shouldn't matter if you do the airbags or add a spring leaf, another option.

Steve83

As comical as that is , it's still not a solution. The Vehicle Certification will always remain what it was when it left the factory, until it's certified as a "reconstructed vehicle" (which generally wrecks your insurance because that's what they call totalled vehicles that have been rebuilt). So while deleting the interior parts might allow you to effectively haul their weight as additional payload, it still won't protect you from a police weight check, or your insurance refusing a claim after you flip the overloaded truck, or a lawsuit from someone injured by you flipping your overloaded truck.

Airbags or add-a-leafs to keep the frame off the bumpstops actually make it LESS-stable when overloaded by raising the CG. A truck riding on the bumpstops (with the same weight loaded the same way) is safer than one at normal ride height with too much weight in the bed.

l3rian

The only thing weight check would determine is if you are over GVWR or not. They can't determine your payload. So whether the weight is spare tires and passenger seats, or weight in the bed is irrelevant.

I agree with your statement about raising the CG. He could add the helwig rear sway bar with the upgrades.

Mike Up

Just went through this with a coworker who has a 2003 and wants to carry a smaller truck camper.

The best way to upgrade your suspension is to swap the truck out to a F250/F350.

chimmike

I'm not sure why people think it's only suspension that is needed.

these are half-ton light-duty frames. They are not built for the type of medium duty you guys want to do with them. They just aren't.

You want a half ton truck masquerading as a 3/4 ton? Get a Titan XD.