How do I tell if I have the heavy duty front suspension?
#1
03-02-2014, 08:16 AM
Join Date: Mar 2011
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How do I tell if I have the heavy duty front suspension?
I'm looking at a f250, 7.3 with the tow package, but is there a way to tell if I have the heavy duty front suspension? Did it come with the tow package or is there a certain digit in the VIN that will decode this? I only want to know because I want to run bigger tires and my plow on it. Thanks
#3
03-02-2014, 08:47 AM
#5
03-02-2014, 05:06 PM
Here you go, from etis.ford.com:
Primary Features
Build Date: 06.06.2000
Vehicle Line: F250/350/450/550 Super Duty
Body Style: Super Single Cab
Version: 250 Series
Engine: 7.3L Diesel V8 Turbo
Transmission: 4 Spd Auto Trans EAO A4LE
Drive: LHD 4WD (PTD)
Axle Ratio: 3.73
Emission: Canadian Requirements
Air Conditioning: Manual Air Conditioning
Paint: Oxford White
Minor Features
Medium Graphite Interior
142"/3607MM Wheelbase
XLT
Kentucky Truck Plant Build
Less Special Equipment Package
With Camper Pack
8800 LB. GVW
With Power Equipment Group
With Privacy Glass
With Sliding Rear Window
With Carpet Floor Covering
Dual Sail Telesc TT Power Mirror
With 2nd Row Bench Seat - 3 Passngr
With Driver 6 Way Pwr.Seat Adjuster
Trailer Tow Prep Pack
With Trailer Towing Attachments
With Front Towing Hook
With Door Entry Remote Control Unit
Rocker Tu-Tone Paint
Rear Bumper - Steel Step - Chromed
With Front Licence Plate Bracket
With Driver Air Bag
With Passenger Air Bag
With Steel Spare Wheel
7.0 X 16" Forged Aluminium Wheel
LT265/75R-16E OWL A-T Tyre
With Conventional Spare Tyre
Immersion Heater Engine
3.73
Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential
4 Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System
Electric Trans Case And Auto Hubs
With Mid-Ship Fuel Tank
With Tilt Steering Wheel
With Speed Control
With KMH/MPH Speedometer
Elect Prem Stro/Cass/Disc/Clock
With Daytime Running Lamps
With Aero Headlamps
Roof Marker/Clearance Lights-Conv
Oxford White
Primary Features
Build Date: 06.06.2000
Vehicle Line: F250/350/450/550 Super Duty
Body Style: Super Single Cab
Version: 250 Series
Engine: 7.3L Diesel V8 Turbo
Transmission: 4 Spd Auto Trans EAO A4LE
Drive: LHD 4WD (PTD)
Axle Ratio: 3.73
Emission: Canadian Requirements
Air Conditioning: Manual Air Conditioning
Paint: Oxford White
Minor Features
Medium Graphite Interior
142"/3607MM Wheelbase
XLT
Kentucky Truck Plant Build
Less Special Equipment Package
With Camper Pack
8800 LB. GVW
With Power Equipment Group
With Privacy Glass
With Sliding Rear Window
With Carpet Floor Covering
Dual Sail Telesc TT Power Mirror
With 2nd Row Bench Seat - 3 Passngr
With Driver 6 Way Pwr.Seat Adjuster
Trailer Tow Prep Pack
With Trailer Towing Attachments
With Front Towing Hook
With Door Entry Remote Control Unit
Rocker Tu-Tone Paint
Rear Bumper - Steel Step - Chromed
With Front Licence Plate Bracket
With Driver Air Bag
With Passenger Air Bag
With Steel Spare Wheel
7.0 X 16" Forged Aluminium Wheel
LT265/75R-16E OWL A-T Tyre
With Conventional Spare Tyre
Immersion Heater Engine
3.73
Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential
4 Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System
Electric Trans Case And Auto Hubs
With Mid-Ship Fuel Tank
With Tilt Steering Wheel
With Speed Control
With KMH/MPH Speedometer
Elect Prem Stro/Cass/Disc/Clock
With Daytime Running Lamps
With Aero Headlamps
Roof Marker/Clearance Lights-Conv
Oxford White
#6
03-02-2014, 05:09 PM
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 82
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Here you go, from etis.ford.com:
Primary Features
Build Date: 06.06.2000
Vehicle Line: F250/350/450/550 Super Duty
Body Style: Super Single Cab
Version: 250 Series
Engine: 7.3L Diesel V8 Turbo
Transmission: 4 Spd Auto Trans EAO A4LE
Drive: LHD 4WD (PTD)
Axle Ratio: 3.73
Emission: Canadian Requirements
Air Conditioning: Manual Air Conditioning
Paint: Oxford White
Minor Features
Medium Graphite Interior
142"/3607MM Wheelbase
XLT
Kentucky Truck Plant Build
Less Special Equipment Package
With Camper Pack
8800 LB. GVW
With Power Equipment Group
With Privacy Glass
With Sliding Rear Window
With Carpet Floor Covering
Dual Sail Telesc TT Power Mirror
With 2nd Row Bench Seat - 3 Passngr
With Driver 6 Way Pwr.Seat Adjuster
Trailer Tow Prep Pack
With Trailer Towing Attachments
With Front Towing Hook
With Door Entry Remote Control Unit
Rocker Tu-Tone Paint
Rear Bumper - Steel Step - Chromed
With Front Licence Plate Bracket
With Driver Air Bag
With Passenger Air Bag
With Steel Spare Wheel
7.0 X 16" Forged Aluminium Wheel
LT265/75R-16E OWL A-T Tyre
With Conventional Spare Tyre
Immersion Heater Engine
3.73
Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential
4 Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System
Electric Trans Case And Auto Hubs
With Mid-Ship Fuel Tank
With Tilt Steering Wheel
With Speed Control
With KMH/MPH Speedometer
Elect Prem Stro/Cass/Disc/Clock
With Daytime Running Lamps
With Aero Headlamps
Roof Marker/Clearance Lights-Conv
Oxford White
Primary Features
Build Date: 06.06.2000
Vehicle Line: F250/350/450/550 Super Duty
Body Style: Super Single Cab
Version: 250 Series
Engine: 7.3L Diesel V8 Turbo
Transmission: 4 Spd Auto Trans EAO A4LE
Drive: LHD 4WD (PTD)
Axle Ratio: 3.73
Emission: Canadian Requirements
Air Conditioning: Manual Air Conditioning
Paint: Oxford White
Minor Features
Medium Graphite Interior
142"/3607MM Wheelbase
XLT
Kentucky Truck Plant Build
Less Special Equipment Package
With Camper Pack
8800 LB. GVW
With Power Equipment Group
With Privacy Glass
With Sliding Rear Window
With Carpet Floor Covering
Dual Sail Telesc TT Power Mirror
With 2nd Row Bench Seat - 3 Passngr
With Driver 6 Way Pwr.Seat Adjuster
Trailer Tow Prep Pack
With Trailer Towing Attachments
With Front Towing Hook
With Door Entry Remote Control Unit
Rocker Tu-Tone Paint
Rear Bumper - Steel Step - Chromed
With Front Licence Plate Bracket
With Driver Air Bag
With Passenger Air Bag
With Steel Spare Wheel
7.0 X 16" Forged Aluminium Wheel
LT265/75R-16E OWL A-T Tyre
With Conventional Spare Tyre
Immersion Heater Engine
3.73
Rear Axle Limited Slip Differential
4 Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System
Electric Trans Case And Auto Hubs
With Mid-Ship Fuel Tank
With Tilt Steering Wheel
With Speed Control
With KMH/MPH Speedometer
Elect Prem Stro/Cass/Disc/Clock
With Daytime Running Lamps
With Aero Headlamps
Roof Marker/Clearance Lights-Conv
Oxford White
#7
03-02-2014, 05:13 PM
You could also add something like air springs to augment your front springs. I like Air Lift Company products.
And howdy neighbor! You should stop on down to the Connecticut chapter! I live up here on the MA line, but I work in Manchester.
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#8
03-03-2014, 08:30 AM
The plow prep package includes a bigger alternator, larger transmission cooler, heavier springs, and a larger cooling fan.
The spring swap is pretty easy on these trucks, I myself also took a day to do on my excursion. The hardest part was pulling the truck over to get the track bar lined up.
The spring swap is pretty easy on these trucks, I myself also took a day to do on my excursion. The hardest part was pulling the truck over to get the track bar lined up.
#9
03-03-2014, 10:46 AM
HEAVY SERVICE FRONT SUSPENSION
99-04 Diesel 250 & 350's had no optional front suspension packages, and the plow package was not available on them, as the front suspension was at it's max due to the added weight of the diesel engine. The front axle assembly is rated at a maximum of 5200 pounds, and if you put a plow on a diesel, you then were over the maximum front weight approved by Ford. I saw it stated somewhere on the web---you have to find it.
RON
#10
03-03-2014, 07:01 PM
Join Date: Mar 2011
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I believe the only difference with the plow package would be the front springs which are rated for 6,000 lbs. What's your front GAWR on your door sticker? A spring swap isn't an expensive thing to do, I did that on my Excursion and it took me about a day.
You could also add something like air springs to augment your front springs. I like Air Lift Company products.
And howdy neighbor! You should stop on down to the Connecticut chapter! I live up here on the MA line, but I work in Manchester.
You could also add something like air springs to augment your front springs. I like Air Lift Company products.
And howdy neighbor! You should stop on down to the Connecticut chapter! I live up here on the MA line, but I work in Manchester.
#11
03-03-2014, 07:03 PM
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 82
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The plow prep package includes a bigger alternator, larger transmission cooler, heavier springs, and a larger cooling fan.
The spring swap is pretty easy on these trucks, I myself also took a day to do on my excursion. The hardest part was pulling the truck over to get the track bar lined up.
The spring swap is pretty easy on these trucks, I myself also took a day to do on my excursion. The hardest part was pulling the truck over to get the track bar lined up.
#12
03-03-2014, 08:34 PM
99-04 Diesel 250 & 350's had no optional front suspension packages, and the plow package was not available on them, as the front suspension was at it's max due to the added weight of the diesel engine. The front axle assembly is rated at a maximum of 5200 pounds, and if you put a plow on a diesel, you then were over the maximum front weight approved by Ford. I saw it stated somewhere on the web---you have to find it.
Do you have any references for this limitation? I'm not able to find it in Ford's Source Book, Order Guide, Product & Marketing Guide, or Brochure for the model year of the OP's truck.
Here's what I did find:
SnowPlow Prep Package
Regular Production Option (RPO) Code: 86M
Available on:
XL 620A
XLT 627A
Lariat 628A
Requires:
4x4
Not Available with:
RPO 674 Heavy Service Suspension Package
RPO 532 Camper Package
Includes:
Highest Front GAWR Springs (5,200 lb.)
Auxiliary Rear (Overload) Springs
HD 130 Amp Alternator in Gas Engines
----end----
This information does not state that there is a requirement for a gas engine, only that there is a requirement for 4x4. If one has a gas engine, then a heavier duty alternator is included, otherwise the Snowplow Prep package only consists of the heaviest front springs as well as auxiliary rear springs.
The Heavy Service Suspension Package and Camper Package are not available with the Snowplow Package because the package content is redundant. In fact, these two packages might have been better to order, because they both include a Front Stabilizer Bar, whereas the SnowPlow Prep did not.
If you have any references that contradict this information, it would be interesting to compare.
#13
03-03-2014, 09:06 PM
I have taken this with a grain of salt as told to me by the salesman.
He stated the 2014 F250 Gas engine snow plow prep consisted of 6k front springs, a larger cooling fan (I'm assuming from the diesel). The larger alternator and I know there's a larger trans cooler by looking at it compared to other 6.2 trucks.
He stated the 2014 F250 Gas engine snow plow prep consisted of 6k front springs, a larger cooling fan (I'm assuming from the diesel). The larger alternator and I know there's a larger trans cooler by looking at it compared to other 6.2 trucks.
#14
03-03-2014, 09:11 PM
#15
03-04-2014, 06:37 AM
99-04 Diesel 250 & 350's had no optional front suspension packages, and the plow package was not available on them, as the front suspension was at it's max due to the added weight of the diesel engine. The front axle assembly is rated at a maximum of 5200 pounds, and if you put a plow on a diesel, you then were over the maximum front weight approved by Ford. I saw it stated somewhere on the web---you have to find it.
RON
Page 48 indicates the OP's truck (4x4 Super Cab short bed 7.3L) came with 3950-4400# front springs. The snowplow prep package (page 51) bumps that to a 6000# front spring.