What make's it a "Heavy Duty"

What make's the Econoline a "Heavy Duty" Anyone know what the option's were?
Thanks

I know mine is HEAVY DUTY with it's 9 inch rear end and 13 springs on each wheel in the back.

But I think it really comes down to the heavier springs and the 9 inch rear end options.

Just a guess.

The frame rails the vehicle is built on are thicker,the brake drums are finned for better cooling,the springs are beefier,9 inch rear end,the badges of course but not all heavy duties were badged as such. Pretty sure sway bar also but not certain. I cut up a 63 Heavy Duty today actually and it and the other 3 that I ve had all had sway bars.

Was there a standard gear ratio in the 9 inch rear? Mine seems to have a very high gear ratio. Don't have a tach but she screams.
I would guess maybe a 4 something ratio??

Standard no but you've probably gota 4:00 or a 4:11 or a 4:57. A 3:00 or 3:50 was also available stock.

My 64 has a 4:00 geared 9 inch.........sway bars........ super heavy springs....no finned drums & no HD badge. But VIN calls for HD package.

That's FORD for ya. Ya just never know what's what from car to car. They changed shit mid-stream and however the wind was blowing the day or minute the FORD was built.

MORAL IS = anything is possible coming from Ford.

LOL

Theres a difference between a factory assembly line "built for sale" Heavy Duty Vehicle and one that's special ordered or turned into Heavy Duty. Some folks opted to order their van with Heavy Duty spring package which doesnt necessarily mean its a heavy duty model. It just has *part* of the package so to speak. You could special order anything you wanted and add or delete features too so that's why you get such odd combinations sometimes that dont fit into the mold or follow logic. Lots of fleet orders were special ordered in bulk with changed or deleted features such as the badges or thicker frames which came standard with the whole Heavy Duty package to save money. Ya gotta remember back then you could order or delete almost every single feature whereas now a days everything comes in complete packages only. For instance to get the power sun roof ya gotta order the custom wheels and CD changer too,kinda goofy.