Ok, I currently own a 2012 Platinum 4x4 ecoboost supercrew with the 5.5 bed and max tow package. However the truck I had originally ordered came in today at the dealership we were originally dealing with, so I decided to be noisy and go compare things. Here's what I found...2013 Lariant Ecoboost 4x4 supercrew with 6.5 bed.

Shocks, axle, and frame look identical on when comparing to the two trucks. The only visible difference I can see is the rear leaf springs have an extra leaf in the heavy duty payload. With that being said it looks like the springs bolt up the exact same way as they do on my truck and look to be the same length and width. Otherwise when the time comes I may just add some airbags

Wheels, now here is a difference obviously with the 7 lug wheel as opposed to the 6 lug Platinum wheels I have... however I'm not sure 400lbs of payload difference would warrant the extra lug as the axles look identical.

Would it be possible to order the heavy duty payload rear leaf spring set and install it on my current truck? Because that looks to be the ONLY thing that is different from the max tow to the heavy duty payload.

 

You sure you don't have a 9.75" axle and the 7 lug is a 10.25"?

I'd go airbags - the unloaded ride will be a lot better.

 

My guess is the that the actual axle shaft of the 7 bolt, is bigger around than the 6. Also, you get a larger tranny cooler and other goodies I think. Not for sure on that, but I think so.
If the rear axle housing is the same OD, then you should be able to add the rear spring. You will probably need longer U bolts as well. I like the idea of air bags like the previous person said. That way when you are not towing, you can have a better ride.

 

I believe it was confirmed the tranny cooler upgrade and axle are the same between the max tow and heavy duty payload. I like the idea of adding airbags because it's cheaper and would enable better ride when unloaded which realistically is most of the time. I did measure the leaf springs this morning and it looks like 65 inches for both trucks which would confirm that you could easily install the heavy duty payload rear leaf springs onto a max tow package truck. You would have to get the entire package including the U bolts to make it work obviously. I just confirmed that the axles are the same size, however the heavy duty payload package axle looks to have a bit more guts in it due to the 7 lug, however that being said if you get anywhere close to the axle ratings non HD or HD you would be considerably over your payload and GVWR anyway. The supercrew comes with the increased frame thickness regardless if it is heavy duty payload or not.

Thus I think I will go with my gut and install the Bilstein HD rear shocks, and get some airbags if and when I need to help with sag in the rear. These two things along with the Michelin E rated tires I just purchased would basically make my truck into a heavy duty payload version. Bottomline is, the truck frame can handle the weight, the axle is more than sufficient, and the shocks can be done for $100.

 

sounds good...always a fan of making these trucks more capable. That is why I just installed a 425 watt DieHard Power Inverter in my Flow Through Console bin lol.

 

Just out of curiosity what are you planning on towing or hauling with this upgrade???

 

We are looking at a extralite 282rks. http://www.forestriverinc.com/LiteFi...530&RVType=LFW


Gonna go initially with just shocks and tires, if it's saggin too much for my taste I will either go airbags or grab the heavy duty payload leaf spring sets.

 

We are seriously considering buying an F150 Ecoboost SuperCrew. The MaxTow pkg is a must for us. The HD option is a consideration, but since this would also be our daily driver, and only be towing our TT occasionally in the summer, I am concerned about possible degradation of the ride with the HD pkg over MaxTow only. And we are not sure that we want or need the 6.5' bed for daily use, since we live in a city, plus the screw with the 6.5' bed will be a VERY tight fit in our garage. Does anyone have any experience driving both and comparing the rides, empty?

 

To the OP:

What's the max payload on your door jamb sticker? I can foresee you exceeding it. Also, be very careful what hitch you get with that 5.5' bed.

 

In the grand scheme of it all there is very little difference between the 9.75 and 10.25 semi float (f150). If you want a true axle for towing it would a full floater you find on the super duties. A semi float axle will always be a semi float axle.

 

GVWR = 7650 Curb weight = 5500ish... leaves 1900-2000lbs payload. Hitch will be a slider of some sort or a reese revolution. With the updated shocks and tires, my actual ratings are a bit higher, but our target is still the original ratings. Safety is first and foremost. 1200-1300 hitch weight and dry weight of 8000lbs is well within the limits of the truck.

To be clear, my frame is the same frame thickness as the heavy duty package, all that is different is the 7 lug axle, shocks, and extra leaf spring in the rear. The only reason the HDPP isn't offered on the Platinum's IMO is due to the 20 inch wheels, which at stock size tires you can only get Passenger car tires and 7 lug 20inch wheels are probably hard to come by. I had to do a plus size tire to grab the load range E 10 ply tires I want for towing and offroading. While I cannot exceed the door label in rating legally, I can update my truck based on the design of the HDPP truck and achieve the same results... just can't pull those higher weights "legally".

 

I find it interesting that the max payload is 1900-2000 lbs on that truck. While on my '04 2wd Heritage, 4.2L, single cab with 6.5' bed the max payload is 2060 lbs (6050 GVWR and 3990 curb weight). I guess they make them heavier without allowing for any additional payload capacity.

 

A little off-topic, but I vote for the Reese Revolution (Sidewinder). I have one on my fiver and love it!

 

There no longer is a 10.25 gear set for Heavy-Duty Payload. They went to a 9.75 on the new body style in '09. The biggest difference will be the tires and wheels. If you want to go all the way, you could get some rotary forged aluminum wheels from Center Line which are good for up to 3,200 lbs payload (depending on the design) like the 7 lug wheels. They also make 7 lug wheels, too.

http://centerlinewheels.com/technology.php

 

The larger wheel size probably decreases the limit on the newer trucks.