Anyone know exactly what the difference is between a regular F-150 & a F-150 HD or Heavy Half as they used to be called.

I know they have the better tranny, 4:10 gears, better suspension etc.

I'm looking for a detailed list if anyone has one.

Basically what I'm doing is making my 07 Screw a dedicated Tow Vehicle.

If it feasable, I'll mod my truck a little at a time. Thanks Lee

 

Same tranny - 4R75E
Sterling 10.25" rear diff
8' box
7-lug wheels ( steel)
extra engine/tranny cooling ( I think)
beefier rear suspension ( extra leafs I think)
different spring rates f/r
larger alt
HD shocks
.
.
...all I can think of fer now lol

MGD

 

What are you trying to tow? If its something that is over 10K you might want to look into a F250. Under 10K you should be fine with your current configuration, look into good trailer brakes and you will be fine.

 

You can mod it till you are blue in the face, but you can't increase the max tow rating over what it is now. All you can do is make it tow what it can better. If you are trying to tow over 8000#, get a 3/4 ton truck.

 

actually the heavy duty 1/2 tons with the 7 lugs weren't offered in the '04-'08 body style, only the '97-'03 body style...

 

Yes they were, just called different. Had a 8200lb GVW compared to the normal of around 7-7200.

 

Like glc says, no amount of modding will increase your trucks weight rating (GVWR). Ford specifies this and notes in on the door label. In the eyes of the DOT that's all you get. If your crew is a 4x4, your good for 6500 to 8200, depending on engine and gearing. Numbers are a little higher if it's a 4x2.

Ford didn't offer a F150 HD payload package until 2000. They did offer a light duty F250 which became the F150-7700#. Ford did and continues to offer the HD payload package in the 04 - present F150's. The package rating went up to 8200 in 2004 with the new body style. The 2011 also has the HD package and weight reating is still at 8200#'s.

MGD's list pretty much hits the bulk of what's different. Except they HD package trucks do have frames made from thicker gauge steel.

So, what are you looking to tow?

 

The spec on my 08
Ford F150 XLT Supercrew,8 Foot bed 163" wheelbase.
Extra's Heavy Duty package inc
5.4L v8(13-17mpg)
Heavy duty battery 72 Amp
Lt 245/70R x17D BSW All Terain tries
10.5 gear set with 4.10 rear axle
17" 7 lug wheels
upgraded Springs
upgraded Radiator and Auxiliary Transmission oil cooler
Heavy Duty shock absorbers and frame
2700Ibs payload
8200Ibs GVWR

 

Thanks Guys, mainly I was interested in the tranny.

I had been told that the HD had a better tranny than the stock rigs.

Yes, I know I can't change the weight rating on my door.

No, I'm not a retard & trying to pull 10K with a half ton truck.

I've got a 7K lbs. loaded TT that I haul every other weekend to go camping. My truck tows it pretty well, but steep grades really put it under a strain, so I'm always looking for something to help it out a bit.

Thanks Lee

 

I know the 97-03 7700 had thicker gauge frame construction, not sure about the 04-08s

 

04-08 Hd have the thicker gauge frame.

 

Not in the 04+ that I'm aware of. All 04-08 5.4's have a 4R75E.

That's a gear ratio and engine power issue. Get some 4.56 gears and a custom tune to fix that. Put an active tranny cooler on it.

 

I have a '07 HD. I confirm all of the above statements, except I dont know about a beefier Alternator.

Mainly: .15 thick frame rails, 4.10 Sterling rear end, trans cooler (super cooling).

I 'd recommend a factory tech separator plate. A common factory trick to get a larger towing capacity, is to slip the primary and secondary bands. My '03 was set-up that way, and its trans went just before warranty.

Get the trans to 'lock out' in every gear, then work on motor torque.

 

I think that was a 7700 package!

 

Mine is the 2007 "8200 package" and the owners manual in the glove box states that max total trailer weight for my configuration is 9300 lbs.

Copied from spec sheet:
"optional Heavy Duty Payload Package requires the 5.4L 3V V-8 engine and also includes Super Engine Cooling, 9-channel oil-to-air auxiliary transmission oil
cooler, frame upgrade (.150 rail thickness) and 4.10 axle ratio."