I have a 1971 Ford Recreational Vehicles brochure and Shop Tips brochure about Trailer Towing and they both list a Heavy Duty Frame as part of the Towing Package on 1971 Ford full-size wagons, I thought my wagon had a factory tow package but now I think it has been added later since I only have the 2.75:1 rear end ratio. I was wondering if anyone has noticed extra reinforcements to their Frames on Ford or Mercury wagons of this era.
Well thats a new one on me. I have a 67 brochure and it doesn't mention anything about frame upgrades. Had Ford gone to unibody at that time, is that why it needs reinforcement? A good frame shop should be able to look at your existing vehicle and see what reinforcements it might recommend.
I have not heard of a 'heavy duty' frame on 71's. The frame on mine, or more correctly, what was left of it did not appear heavy duty, but it is the only 1 I,ve ever seen. Mine is a Country Sedan w/ the 2.75 ratio posi. Maybe they made 1 with different shock mounts for staggered shocks or something like that? IIRC some of the earlier Custom 300s and 500s had a "light duty' that was discontinued to make things simpler.
I can confirm that Chevies had a heavy duty frame option that was part of the 9C1 police package, and it was basically a wagon frame. Perhaps Ford had a similar option?
