How much dirt can I put in the bed o my ranger

jagarcia89 · Jan 28, 2011

I'm sure this has been adressed here but I can't seem to find it with the terms I've searched.

So I gotta haul some dirt and I'm wondering how much weight I can put in the bed without risking messin something up. I got an 03 fx4 level II (I hear this has a beefier axle) with some overload airbags. and it's supercharged and I'll be goin slow.

How much can I get away with?
thanks in advance

triumphrider-1 · Jan 28, 2011

I put a yard in mine this past summer, no problems. The wetter the dirt is the less you'll be able to load.

IRKillroy · Jan 28, 2011

I've done a yard in the back of my 88 4x4... it doesn't really matter the axle so much as it does the suspension and tires. The guys said it would break the springs, I laughed and told him to put it in. He thought my truck was the shit... I came back 3 more times for more dirt.

make sure the jerk-off loads the dirt even, otherwise you might want to do that before you start driving away...

backroad101 · Jan 28, 2011

When I did it this past summer, the place I bought from told be for my truck they would only do 1/2 yard of dirt at a time. With mulch, they could do a full yard at a time.

But with airbags and a supercharger, you may be able to haul more

straycat · Jan 28, 2011

As long as the tires don't rub you can fill it up as much as you want to!!!!

GoodOld85BlueBalls · Jan 28, 2011

Just remember that a cubic yard of dirt can weigh upwards of 2500lbs. Don't put any more than that in it!

Surrey · Jan 28, 2011

I would say a yard aught to be sufficient. My dad used to haul a full yard of dirt in his '90 Dodge Dakota, pulling a utility trailer with another yard of dirt in it.

I would think your FXII Ranger can outdue some shitty little dodge.

'99 EB Explorer · Jan 28, 2011

Wait....you have a supercharged ranger?? :shok:

Pix or it didn't happen!

lil_Blue_Ford · Jan 28, 2011

I've hauled a yard and a quarter of dirt before. I only had to go about 3 miles so I wasn't too worried about it. About 1,200 lbs will probably put your frame sitting on the bump stops. Loading more than that and you're putting a lot of pressure on things that shouldn't get that much pressure. At the time I decided to risk it, but now I wouldn't load more than about 1,250 lbs in my Ranger even with the upgraded springs and brakes (that's half the battle, getting a heavy load stopped, even a non-supercharged motor will get a heavy load started). My Ranger hauled a lot of loads of material that pushed the limits. Probably wasn't the smartest, but I was making do with what I had. I had the largest brakes I could put on the truck and it was the heavy GVWR package from the factory, plus I ran stainless brake lines and DOT-4 fluid, making it about as safe as possible. But even with DOT4 fluid and larger brakes you can still fry the brakes in a Ranger going down a grade with 2,000 lbs on it if you don't know how to handle it.

Now that I have an F-150, my Ranger sees only lighter loads. My F-150 is a heavy half package that I've upgraded the suspension and brakes, thus I feel safe hauling around 2,250 lbs at times. If I need more hauling power than that, I have an F-350 that I can use, which is a heavy 1-ton package.

straycat · Jan 28, 2011

'99 EB Explorer said:
Wait....you have a supercharged ranger??

Pix or it didn't happen!

Only in his dreams....lol

robertc1024 · Jan 28, 2011

I don't like to haul more than 1/2 a yard. Sure smooths out the ride though. I only live ~2 miles from where I get it so making an extra trip or two isn't any big deal.

Mac · Jan 28, 2011

Just had to look in the Ranger info, the 2000 max payload is 1540#, doesn't show any difference in what rear end or if it has a SC on it. A yard of loose dirt weighs 2000#. It's about 75# per cu ft.
Dave

pontiacfieroguy · Jan 28, 2011

3 scoops in an 2wd xlt 2.9 5spd without rubbing. i did have to replace the clutch the next day but that may or may not have been due to the heavy load. it could have just been a coincidence that it finally blew apart at 177k the day i hauled it

'99 EB Explorer · Jan 28, 2011

When I had my '93 2.3L 2wd, the first load it hauled was a full bucket or gravel. Mud flaps were dragging all the way home(about 1/2 mile) but the engine/trans never complained. After I dumped that, I strapped up to a 15foot cedar tree and pulled it out...roots and all. I have to admit that it smelled like burnt clutch after that one.

myranger26105 · Jan 28, 2011

hauled 1 1/2 tons of sand in my truck it was sitting low but i only had to take it about 2 miles

How much dirt can I put in the bed o my ranger

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