Ford Patents Bolt-On Third Axle To Turn F-150 Into 6x6 Super Truck

Ford is developing a bolt-on third axle that turns any pickup truck or SUV into a 6x6, and it seems like a brilliant idea. Although most 6x6 conversions are made to improve off-roading ability or to attract attention, Ford's focus is the blue-collar worker who occasionally needs a higher payload.

CarBuzzdiscovered the patent filed with theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office, and it details how it would be much more cost-effective to develop a bolt-on system for high-capacity trucks designed for existing suspension systems than it would be to develop or produce a whole new suspension design to enable higher payloads. In fact, the maximum payload capacity for the latestF-150has dropped by some 860 poundsbecause very few customers ordered it, and with an innovation like a bolt-on third axle, Ford could further build on its class-leading payload capacity without investing a fortune in a new chassis or retooling production lines. This would be especially useful on chassis-cabs where bodywork wouldn't need to be adjusted.

It's all about reducing cost and complexity, and withnew wage agreements sure to be madein the coming weeks, Ford needs to save every penny it can.

This would be especially cost-efficient if the system could be designed simply enough for it to be installed at the dealer. It could even be installed by the customer, but we've seen enough shoddy lift kit and coilover installs to be wary of letting the general public fiddle with their suspension without oversight. That being said, the design does appear to be as easy to assemble as Lego, at least in its simplest configuration. One issue not mentioned here is of the need for modified bodywork to accommodate two more wheels, but a bolt-on fender kit for the bed could solve this.

Ford mentions using sleeved subframe and chassis extensions that could be employed, with provision made for alternative designs that work with or without a load leveling kit. For example, Figure 6 depicts a third-axle leaf spring connecting to the bottom of the pre-existing rear (now middle) axle. Images 8 & 9 show how it would work with a load-leveling device. Regardless, the extended subframe would be capable of supporting a tow hitch.

But Figure 7 shows that there are even more possibilities.