What is the exact max. towing capacity for 97 F150 4.6 V8 super cab shortbed? I have gotten numbers form 5000 pds. up to 8000 pds. Does anyone know for sure? Thank you.

 

You have not provided enough information for an answer.
Auto or manual?
Gear Ratio?
4x2 or 4x4?

Here is the 1999 list for what you did provide:
ENG...Body..Trans...Gear...Drive...MaxTow

4.6....SUP....MAN....3.08....4X4....1700
4.6....SUP....MAN....3.08....4X2....2000
4.6....SUP....MAN....3.55....4X4....3000
4.6....SUP....MAN....3.55....4X2....3300

4.6....SUP....AUTO...3.08....4X2....5500
4.2....SUP....AUTO...3.55....4X2....5600
4.6....SUP....AUTO...3.55/17.4X4...6100
4.6....SUP....AUTO...3.55/16.4X4...6600
4.6....SUP....AUTO...3.55....4X2....7000

 

how do you know what gear ratio you have?

 

There should be a factory sticker inside the drivers doorframe.
The box that says 'AXLE CODE' will have a two position code.

Once again, these are 1999 codes
hopefully the same for 1997...

18 = 3.08 Non-LS
19 = 3.55 Non-LS
B6 = 3.73 LS
H9 = 3.55 LS

 

O.K. if I am going to tow a car trailer loaded (about 5500 to 6000 pds.) 4 or 5 times a year what should I do to this truck to make it safer and more durable? It has 144.000 miles and has not been used for towing so far. Do I need to change the gears and anything else? Thanks!

 

Auto or manual?
Gear Ratio?
4x2 or 4x4?

 

automatic, 4x2, Lariat. I don't know the gear ratio yet. I am going to look at it this afternoon to maybe buy it. It is in great shape but I wanted try and figure out the towing capicity before I decide to buy. I leaving in about an hour and a half, so any help would be greatly aprreciated! Thanks!

 

Now, do you want "tow ratings" or "real world" ratings??

Your "tow ratings" are from a 3.08 geared truck @ #5500 up to a 3.55 geared truck @ #7000....

Best case is the truck has 3.55 gears. The lariat option adds a bunch of weight and 17" wheels taking away from those 'ratings' even more.....

Real world, figure on being able to comfortably tow a #5000 (fully loaded with the 3.55 gears) travel trailer without exceeding any of your trucks other weight limits (GVWR, GCWR, GAWR).

Of course, the truck can 'handle' more... A lot more..... But, then you would be technically 'overweight' and that's up to you to decide....

Good luck!

Mitch

 

The gear code on the sticker says H9, sothat means 3.55 right? Would help to change to better gear ratio for towing and how expensive is this? Thanks.

 

Yep, you have the 3.55 LS (Limited Slip) setup. Changing gears for towing?? Well, that really depends IMO... 3.55's are fine if you don't exceed any other weight rating.... What weight trailer are you looking to tow?

 

It would be a car trailer that weighs about 1500 pds. and a car that weighs 4200 pds. So that would be about 5700 pds. What about transmission, driveshaft, and u-joints? Any change there? Thank you!

 

You should be fine.... Just make sure you have a trans cooler. It will be up front on the passenger side as you look thru the grill or one of the openings thru the bumper. The cooler on the drivers side is the powersteering fluid cooler.

You'll want trailer brakes as well. The trailer will either have electric or surge brakes. If it's surge brakes, then you just hitch up and go... Assuming the surge brakes are adjusted properly of course... Electric brakes, you will need a brake controller and it plugs into a connector under the dash.

Now, with the 4.6, it won't win any races when you are towing and you will likely be in third gear on the flats and in second gear on the hills, but that's ok...... There is no reason you need to be the first one up the hill! The 4.6 takes a lot of revs to get into it's power band, so running 3500 rpms up a hill is not going to hurt anything.....

Keep up on the fluids, inspect the rig from time to time (actually crawl under and look at the suspension parts, rear end, hitch mountings, ect....)

Oh, and keep an eye on the gas gauge, as you won't want to pass too many gas stations along the way!! Expect about 10 mpg or so when towing....

Mitch

 

If no tranny cooler, how much to add one? Thanks.

 

No idea.... Mine had the factory cooler already...

I'd only be guessing, but you can probably pick one up between $50-$100 or so. You want to get the "stacked plate" kind. The other kind is the "tube and fin" style and while they do work, the stacked plate style works better. That's the style that gets put on from the factory.

 

Thanks, you guys have really been alot of help!