Brakes & suspension

[acharya108]

Two questions
1) Does anyone know if there is a wiring harness or some other way to connect the Prodigy brake controller to a 1971 Ford F-100 truck?

2) Does anyone know if adding an after market, bolt on leaf to the rear springs would help handle the weight of the trailer in towing?
Thanks,
marc

[flyfisherman]

Two questions
1) Does anyone know if there is a wiring harness or some other way to connect the Prodigy brake controller to a 1971 Ford F-100 truck?

2) Does anyone know if adding an after market, bolt on leaf to the rear springs would help handle the weight of the trailer in towing?
Thanks,
marc

I'll leave your first question to the Prodigy users already on the board -


As for the rear springs, have you tried ~

http://www.mrtruck.net/springs.htm


Fly

[AustinBoston]

Two questions
1) Does anyone know if there is a wiring harness or some other way to connect the Prodigy brake controller to a 1971 Ford F-100 truck?

I'll bet you have to wire it manually.

2) Does anyone know if adding an after market, bolt on leaf to the rear springs would help handle the weight of the trailer in towing?
Thanks,
marc

The best approach is to use a weight distributing hitch.  But if a 1971 F-100 can't handle the tongue weight of a pop-up, either there's way too much stuff in the pop-up or there's some serious problems with the truck.

Austin

[acharya108]

I'll leave your first question to the Prodigy users already on the board -


As for the rear springs, have you tried ~

http://www.mrtruck.net/springs.htm


Fly

Thanks Fly. I checked out the site. Impressive testimonials from customers!
I e-mailed them as my old 1971 Ford truck is not listed. But there should not be a problem as one of the models should fit.
marc

[wavery]

Thanks Fly. I checked out the site. Impressive testimonials from customers!
I e-mailed them as my old 1971 Ford truck is not listed. But there should not be a problem as one of the models should fit.
marc

Don't worry, It's really easy to wire in yourself. All you need is about 4 Scotchlock wire splicers:
http://www.parts-express.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&CAT_ID=39&ObjectGroup_ID=403&raid=1&rak=scotchlok

[acharya108]

I'll bet you have to wire it manually.



The best approach is to use a weight distributing hitch.  But if a 1971 F-100 can't handle the tongue weight of a pop-up, either there's way too much stuff in the pop-up or there's some serious problems with the truck.

Austin

It's not really the weight, but the suspension on the truck is too soft. It tows the PUP just fine, but just needs to be stiffer. It's rated at a half ton, butthe bed rides too low when I was carrying some gravel. I thought that a stiffer suspension or an extra leaf would improve the handling and ride, by taking some of the bounce out.
marc

[acharya108]

Don't worry, It's really easy to wire in yourself. All you need is about 4 Scotchlock wire splicers:
http://www.parts-express.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&CAT_ID=39&ObjectGroup_ID=403&raid=1&rak=scotchlok

Thanks, I have used those before.
marc

[austinado16]

If you've got bounce, that's bad shocks, replace them with a good quality shock.
If you've got sag under the 150lbs(average) of camper tongue weight, then that's weak leaf springs and you could install either another one or two springs on each side, or a set of the helper springs.

I wouldn't use the weight of gravel in the bed as an idicator that it won't carry the tongue weight of a PUP.  2 different things!  Half a yard of gravel might weight 400-600lbs (just guessing).

[wavery]

If you've got bounce, that's bad shocks, replace them with a good quality shock.
If you've got sag under the 150lbs(average) of camper tongue weight, then that's weak leaf springs and you could install either another one or two springs on each side, or a set of the helper springs.

I wouldn't use the weight of gravel in the bed as an idicator that it won't carry the tongue weight of a PUP.  2 different things!  Half a yard of gravel might weight 400-600lbs (just guessing).

I don't know what PU the poster (or you) has but the recommended tongue weight is 10-15% of the total trailer weight (on a PU).

My tongue weight is 360# and could easily go to 450#. My trailer weighs 3200#. Throw a bunch of camping gear in the back of the truck and I am easily at my limit of 950# (including my topper) on the rear axle.

It is perfectly reasonable to think that 35-year-old leaf springs may be weak. Helper springs are one solution. However, on a truck that old, you may want to consider a new set of springs for towing. A broken spring is no fun. It could require leaving your trailer on the side of the road while you take the pick-up to get it repaired. Not a pleasant thought.

[AustinBoston]

It's not really the weight, but the suspension on the truck is too soft. It tows the PUP just fine, but just needs to be stiffer. It's rated at a half ton, butthe bed rides too low when I was carrying some gravel. I thought that a stiffer suspension or an extra leaf would improve the handling and ride, by taking some of the bounce out.
marc

How much gravel?  I don't know of a true pop-up with a tongue weight over 400 lbs., most are in the 150-200 lb. range.

"Stiffer" means different things to different people.

If the back of the truck sags under the tongue weight, AND the original suspension is performing to specification, then the correct remedy is still a weight distributing hitch.

If the truck is bouncing up and down when loaded, that is a shock absorber issue, and new/stiffer shocks are the solution.  Nothe that I am not talking about air shocks here.

If the back of the truck sags under loads that it handled fine when new, then additional leaf springs (or possibly air bags if they are compatible with your truck) might be the answer.

Austin

[acharya108]

How much gravel?  I don't know of a true pop-up with a tongue weight over 400 lbs., most are in the 150-200 lb. range.

"Stiffer" means different things to different people.

If the back of the truck sags under the tongue weight, AND the original suspension is performing to specification, then the correct remedy is still a weight distributing hitch.

If the truck is bouncing up and down when loaded, that is a shock absorber issue, and new/stiffer shocks are the solution.  Nothe that I am not talking about air shocks here.

If the back of the truck sags under loads that it handled fine when new, then additional leaf springs (or possibly air bags if they are compatible with your truck) might be the answer.

Austin

Actually, it handles the tongue weight and tows ok, but still has a "bouncing" over bumps. I was carrying a half ton of gravel about 1.000 lbs when I had the sag. I know that I probably need to replace the shocks, but thought that the leaf springs could use some extra support also.
marc

[wavery]

Actually, it handles the tongue weight and tows ok, but still has a "bouncing" over bumps. I was carrying a half ton of gravel about 1.000 lbs when I had the sag. I know that I probably need to replace the shocks, but thought that the leaf springs could use some extra support also.
marc

I know that some here have a real issue with air-shocks. I have them on my truck and I love them. I checked out all of the attaching, mounting and supporting points on this truck. It is well suited for air-shocks. I put 200PSI in them while towing and the truck rides level. While not towing it rides too rough so I lower the pressure to 75PSI and it rides great.

I would think that your '71 F100 may well be well suited for them also. They will remedy the "Bouncy" problem and should help support the additional weight. Just be sure to check all of the attaching points for wear.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductBrowse/showCustom-0/makeName-Ford/makeId-29/modelName-F-Series%20Pickup/modelId-6691/year-1971/showAll-1/N-+200729571+1971/refId-20004492/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2006168/c-10101/p-2006168/tf-Browse/s-10101

New springs and shocks would be the best remedy. New shocks and air bags would be 2nd, new shocks and bolt-on helper leaf springs would be 3rd and air shocks would be 4th but least expensive (IMHO).

[AustinBoston]

I know that some here have a real issue with air-shocks. I have them on my truck and I love them.

As long as you realize that on the 2000 S-10 (and probably the '99, but I'm not sure), that using air shocks voided the original warranty.  Aparently, Chevrolet had a problem with them, too.

I can't imagine a '71 having a problem unless it is badly worn or corroded, but both the wear and corrosion are a distinct possibility with a 36 year old truck.

Austin

[wavery]

As long as you realize that on the 2000 S-10 (and probably the '99, but I'm not sure), that using air shocks voided the original warranty.  Aparently, Chevrolet had a problem with them, too.

I can't imagine a '71 having a problem unless it is badly worn or corroded, but both the wear and corrosion are a distinct possibility with a 36 year old truck.

Austin

I was a Factory Rep for GM (many years ago, late 70s). I can tell you that ANY time that non-factory parts are used on a vehicle it will void the warranty, at least on anything that works in conjunction with that part.

If GM took issue with air shocks on that particular vehicle, it may well have had more to do with drive shaft alignment than suspension. That is why I let the pressure down to 75PSI when not loaded. If I don't, the back-end sticks up in the air and the double drive-shaft is inverted. My S10 has your typical "Truck" mountings for the rear shocks. Not a problem IMHO.

Thanks for your concern :sombraro: .

[austinado16]

I'd expect some sag with 1,000lbs of gravel in the bed for sure. Sounds normal to me.  I'd throw a real nice set of shocks under it....do all 4, and see what you think.  You can spend up from there if need be, but I'll bet the shocks dial it in.

Wavery, I've still got the '87 Starcraft Nova.  11' box and maybe 22' opened.  Probobly about 1,300 and change empty and a tongue weight under 200lbs because I can pick the tongue up......so I'm guessing 140ish.