Snow plow prep package question
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 515
From: WNY
Sounds familiar.
May I add that we also obsess over extra speedy check out, along with being extra attentive and nice towards our customers. (Since I’m no longer capable of that, I no longer wait on customers LOL)..
ATC might get the door though.. just kidding bud.... I’d take his money and he would probably even like me in person..
Don, I think your ride differences come from HARD tires and the extra extra stout rear end and suspension components. Our front springs are identical, and there is no rough ride here.
You might consider immediately swapping out shocks for a set of quality Fox or Bilsteins.
I’ll be doing the same on both of my trucks this spring..
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
X2.
Sounds familiar.
May I add that we also obsess over extra speedy check out, along with being extra attentive and nice towards our customers. (That’s why I don’t wait on customers LOL)..
ATC might get the door though.. just kidding. I’d take his money and he would probably even like me in person..
I think your ride differences come from tires and the extra stout rear end Don. Our front springs are identical, and there is no rough ride here.
You might consider immediately swapping out shocks for a set of quality Fox or Bilsteins.
I’ll be doing the same on both of my trucks this spring..
Sounds familiar.
May I add that we also obsess over extra speedy check out, along with being extra attentive and nice towards our customers. (That’s why I don’t wait on customers LOL)..
ATC might get the door though.. just kidding. I’d take his money and he would probably even like me in person..
I think your ride differences come from tires and the extra stout rear end Don. Our front springs are identical, and there is no rough ride here.
You might consider immediately swapping out shocks for a set of quality Fox or Bilsteins.
I’ll be doing the same on both of my trucks this spring..
First they put in sidewall psi instead of door jam, in the case I was +30 on the fronts and +40 the rears getting it down to the proper psi made a WORLD of difference,I think drop -10 more and see how it rides and I am not looking for caddy ride at all.
Shocks could be a road to travel, not sure I would prob go with Bilsteins i smy guess unless I can get the Rancho 9000XL
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 767
Likes: 78
From: NC
That was the idea. Do it the best it can be done. And you can because you're charging enough to do it. Now if only dealerships could be like that.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
4wd High
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I would caution folks to think twice before just blindly getting a vehicle with the Snow Plow Prep package, if they are not going to utilize a plow.
If you are going to plow, it's a necessity to have the right geometry, correct load capacity, etc.
If you're NOT going to plow, it's a waste of money, makes the truck ride rougher for no good reason, etc.
The SPP adds things that are, as already discussed, appropriate to plowing snow. Not only does the suspension get upgraded, but so does the alternator. But so what? If you're not going to plow, you don't need either of those.
I've had the discussion go around and around with some idiots that don't understand about the alternator topic for one thing. Any potential amperage that is not consumed is wasted potential. If your truck consumes only the "normal" amount of energy, you don't need, nor would you even benefit from, having "more" power potential at the alternator. The electrical load is defined by the components in use, not by the potential of the alternator. Having "more" alternator does not mean it makes "more" power; the system will only respond to the amount needed in demand. Keeping the system running and battery in a charged state is all that an alternator has to do. If you're going to add a LOT of electrical load, then the larger alternator is a good idea. But it's a fools errand to think any "normal" truck use in daily commuting will somehow benefit from this. In fact, turning a larger alternator only creates more parasitic drag on the engine. Example ...
A truck is configured such that it consumes 50 amps of power at a steady state running condition. It has a stock rated 75 amp alternator. How much "power" is consumed? (50 amps x 12v nominal = 600 watts of energy). The system will draw load based on the equipment running, NOT the rated capacity of the alternator. If you stick a larger alternator on there, say one rated for 85 amps instead of 75 amps, you don't make, or consume, any more "power" because the math does not change.
Load x volts = power consumed. Do NOT confuse the potential of amps with the power actually consumed. A higher rating on the alternator does not mean you get "more" in daily use. It only assures that much higher loads can be sustained without depleting the balanced state. The only reason Ford puts a larger alternator in the SPP package is because those situations often add not only additional lights on the front plow, but also strobe lights, and may well include an electrically powered salt spreader in the bed. Hence, the "load" goes up, and therefore needs more "power" to keep the system balanced. But having an HD alternator does NOT, in any manner, mean you get "more" of something just driving to work each day. (well - to be honest, you do get "more" wasted fuel by a tiny increase in parasitic drag loss .... but that's another topic ).
Further, the SPP does NOT in any manner improve towing a trailer. Despite the comments above some have made, having stiffer springs in the front end does not improve the way a truck would handle a traditional trailer in a substantive way. While WD bars will transfer some weight to the front, that weight transfer is only to RE-balance what the trailer tongue weight took away. WD bars do not ADD weight to the front end, they only redistribute the load up to the front what existed PRIOR TO the tongue load. So you don't "need" the snow plow pkg for towing a conventional trailer; that's a myth from folks that don't understand the geometry and physics of how conventional weight distribution works.
If stiff front springs were the best idea for all conditions, then Ford (and the other brands as well) would not offer different spring selections. If the max spring rate was the "best" spring rate, there would only be one spring rate. The mere existence of different spring rates is proof that choices exist for a reason; to assure the best compromise for many expected conditions over a broad range of use; all those different springs are there for a reason. If you're not going to load the front end to a max condition with 1000 pounds of plow stuff, then you don't "need" the SPP.
Ford still offers the the heavy service front suspension upgrade; it's a "one up" in spring rate. The SPP is also available, but maxes the front springs. Note what Ford states about ride quality:
"*Higher spring rates will degrade ride quality when operated without additional equipment."
Does not say "Higher spring rates will increase trailer tow capacity" or "Higher spring rates will create more stable ride under load" and any other silly thing that often gets claimed.
If you're going to have a heavy load on the front end, you need the upgrades. If not, then you don't. It's as simple as that.
Some folks get the SPP because they actually need it; they will utilize the equipment properly. (for example, toymaster clearly has a need for the SPP; big plow, lots of electrical load, etc).
Others just get it because it makes them feel more "manly"; they got the biggest, baddest, beefy-est truck their dollar could buy ...
I will never have a snow plow, and I therefore sought out a truck that did not have a SPP option.
Informed buyers understand the whys and wherefores of what they purchase.
If you are going to plow, it's a necessity to have the right geometry, correct load capacity, etc.
If you're NOT going to plow, it's a waste of money, makes the truck ride rougher for no good reason, etc.
The SPP adds things that are, as already discussed, appropriate to plowing snow. Not only does the suspension get upgraded, but so does the alternator. But so what? If you're not going to plow, you don't need either of those.
I've had the discussion go around and around with some idiots that don't understand about the alternator topic for one thing. Any potential amperage that is not consumed is wasted potential. If your truck consumes only the "normal" amount of energy, you don't need, nor would you even benefit from, having "more" power potential at the alternator. The electrical load is defined by the components in use, not by the potential of the alternator. Having "more" alternator does not mean it makes "more" power; the system will only respond to the amount needed in demand. Keeping the system running and battery in a charged state is all that an alternator has to do. If you're going to add a LOT of electrical load, then the larger alternator is a good idea. But it's a fools errand to think any "normal" truck use in daily commuting will somehow benefit from this. In fact, turning a larger alternator only creates more parasitic drag on the engine. Example ...
A truck is configured such that it consumes 50 amps of power at a steady state running condition. It has a stock rated 75 amp alternator. How much "power" is consumed? (50 amps x 12v nominal = 600 watts of energy). The system will draw load based on the equipment running, NOT the rated capacity of the alternator. If you stick a larger alternator on there, say one rated for 85 amps instead of 75 amps, you don't make, or consume, any more "power" because the math does not change.
Load x volts = power consumed. Do NOT confuse the potential of amps with the power actually consumed. A higher rating on the alternator does not mean you get "more" in daily use. It only assures that much higher loads can be sustained without depleting the balanced state. The only reason Ford puts a larger alternator in the SPP package is because those situations often add not only additional lights on the front plow, but also strobe lights, and may well include an electrically powered salt spreader in the bed. Hence, the "load" goes up, and therefore needs more "power" to keep the system balanced. But having an HD alternator does NOT, in any manner, mean you get "more" of something just driving to work each day. (well - to be honest, you do get "more" wasted fuel by a tiny increase in parasitic drag loss .... but that's another topic ).
Further, the SPP does NOT in any manner improve towing a trailer. Despite the comments above some have made, having stiffer springs in the front end does not improve the way a truck would handle a traditional trailer in a substantive way. While WD bars will transfer some weight to the front, that weight transfer is only to RE-balance what the trailer tongue weight took away. WD bars do not ADD weight to the front end, they only redistribute the load up to the front what existed PRIOR TO the tongue load. So you don't "need" the snow plow pkg for towing a conventional trailer; that's a myth from folks that don't understand the geometry and physics of how conventional weight distribution works.
If stiff front springs were the best idea for all conditions, then Ford (and the other brands as well) would not offer different spring selections. If the max spring rate was the "best" spring rate, there would only be one spring rate. The mere existence of different spring rates is proof that choices exist for a reason; to assure the best compromise for many expected conditions over a broad range of use; all those different springs are there for a reason. If you're not going to load the front end to a max condition with 1000 pounds of plow stuff, then you don't "need" the SPP.
Ford still offers the the heavy service front suspension upgrade; it's a "one up" in spring rate. The SPP is also available, but maxes the front springs. Note what Ford states about ride quality:
"*Higher spring rates will degrade ride quality when operated without additional equipment."
Does not say "Higher spring rates will increase trailer tow capacity" or "Higher spring rates will create more stable ride under load" and any other silly thing that often gets claimed.
If you're going to have a heavy load on the front end, you need the upgrades. If not, then you don't. It's as simple as that.
Some folks get the SPP because they actually need it; they will utilize the equipment properly. (for example, toymaster clearly has a need for the SPP; big plow, lots of electrical load, etc).
Others just get it because it makes them feel more "manly"; they got the biggest, baddest, beefy-est truck their dollar could buy ...
I will never have a snow plow, and I therefore sought out a truck that did not have a SPP option.
Informed buyers understand the whys and wherefores of what they purchase.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 265
From: Southwestern Pa.
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