The Fords by the time they used a heavier duty frame, they ended up at the same point. The beer can bodies make great sense on a grocery getter 1/2 ton.
From the factory stickers , I think it's 3500# vs 4500#. The '74 was a tin can on some rails, not too posh, empty 3500# GVW of 8000#, the '08 CTD 1ton has a GVW 10,100#
Even with out checking from where you're from, the bush looked like Aus. The second time we travelled there, we "hired" a Drive Beyond 'ute with a couple of roof top tents.