This winter I will be adding some features to the front end of my 2019 F-350. I am concerned about how the ride and driving characteristics will be changed. The truck is a Lariat Ultimate diesel crew cab short bed Fx4 with 11,500 gvwr.

The Ranchhand front end that I will be adding weighs approximately 370 as told to me by the dealer. He said another approximately 150 for the warm 16.5 winch. So roughly more than 500 pounds that will be added permanently right out on the front end.

I got the snow plow package for that reason. With a plow the undercarriage remains, but the plow comes off. I wonder how it will affect this truck that is already front heavy with the diesel engine. The truck sits a little nose low, so will it sit even nose lower?

The truck has all original shocks and steering components. Only 3,700 miles. I certainly do not want to create death wobble. Might it be wise to upgrade to a dual steering stabilizer beforehand? Which one? Same question about upgrading to a heavier rear stabilizer bar? Which one? Will it look like always driving downhill and need a front level kit? Again, I don’t want to create or increase the possibility of death wobble.

I use the truck to pull a loaded 14,000 22’ equipment trailer and other lighter trailers, only one at a time no doubles.

If you have done this or similar, do you have before and after photos? Thanks for any suggestions and comments.

 

Probaby will help avoid death wobble by lowering the front as it’s supposed to be.

stock 5200
SP 5990.

 

Since Ford built it this way, maybe that is how the front is supposed to be. I did not ask them to make a special order truck.

 

If its 500 lbs extra your effective GAWR drops to 5490.

Will be just fine. Will probably sit a touch higher than the 5200 stock springs and ride a tad rougher (probably not noticeable on either), but it wont be over loaded.

If you run it without weight on the 5990 springs it will sit high and ride rough. As you said Ford means it to be like this but I do not think so and I think they expect it to drop down to stock height with the extra plow weight. Getting it down to the stock height will probably help alleviate caster alignment issues and bump steer.


I run the 5600 HD Service springs on mine without a bumper and just put a good steering stabilizer in as it had bump steer. I will probably mess with the caster when I get around to it as it does sit a bit higher than stock.

 

Ok, following your reasoning I agree, engineers expect that a load will be applied and put heavier springs so it will then still sit where it is supposed to be. I agree, and of course that is why I got those springs. My brain was very tired earlier because of a stressful day.

 

I ran the big RH with a 12 k Warn winch & air compressor which weighed 100 lbs...no issues, great ride

 

I researched the front springs a few hours before placing my order and read a couple threads where people said their truck with cargo/people and trailer (Pin not overloading the rear f250 axle) put the front axle close to its limit with the 5200 springs. Since this is a work vehicle I may need to add a bumper one day.

Thats why I know all this. I am a stickler about staying under my GVWRs and axles.

 

Unless you plan on hitting a lot of deer and needing that winch a LOT, no way would I hang 500lbs off the front of an already front heavy truck.

The front end will require a lot of maintenance to keep in good shape.

 

I kinda agree. Go for the reciever hitch set up and take it on and off.

But that won’t work if you fill up the bed as that thing would take a ton of space.

 

My work takes me to rural and remote areas where i work alone. I need to get myself out of whatever i get myself into so a winch, snatchblocks, and extra cable come in handy. I use a couple 4wd tractors and they have winches too.

I don't plan on hitting any deer, however sometimes they have other ideas. Where I work there are quite a few deer. I have hit a couple deer. One jumped up over a guard rail and i had no time to even remove my foot from the gas pedal. At 65mph his antlers broke off and flew over the truck cab onto the road behind me. The deer hung on the winch mount and grill guard combo until i stopped. The only damage to my truck was a burnt out headlight. If and when i hit another deer, i want the same protection for me and the truck.

I do not plan on using the winch a lot, but when i need it i need it. The Warn 16.5 ton winch weighs 130 pounds so not very convenient to swap around on a cradle mount. Plus i know where i need it. My last truck had a Warn 8,000 pound winch. On a truck that gets used for real projects, this winch is necessary.

There are plenty of trucks with snowplows and whatever else mounted on them. Granted a plow is not year round, but the frame is. Also the truck is an F-350 with the heaviest front springs, not a mini truck.

 

A lot depends on where you live. Hill country of Texas you better have A ranchhand on front of that truck deer here thicker than flies in the summertime.