plowing
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 705
Likes: 12
From: Taxachusetts
plowing
looking for opinions on plowing with a 3.5 ecoboost. I know Ford says no. The truck I'm looking at is out of warranty. Its a 2017 3.5. From what I have found, air flow over the intercoolers and power for the electric assist steering are the issues.
I found a 400 amp alternator. Is that enough? Second battery?
Reasons I'm trying to do this is I don't need superduty anymore, lots of EB f150s vs 5.0, still need a plow and the one that came up is loaded, no rust but has some miles on it for a decent price.
thanks
I found a 400 amp alternator. Is that enough? Second battery?
Reasons I'm trying to do this is I don't need superduty anymore, lots of EB f150s vs 5.0, still need a plow and the one that came up is loaded, no rust but has some miles on it for a decent price.
thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 1,656
I honestly wouldn't plow with a 1/2 ton truck (or any GM truck), even if it has a heavy service package in the front springs and the plow is 'rated' for a 1/2 ton truck. IFS just isn't designed to have that much load on it.
That said, if you're dead set on doing it, I wouldn't use an EcoBoost truck, I'd keep looking for a 5.0. It is more the airflow that's the issue than electrical. You're going to be in the boost a LOT when plowing (gotta make power to move snow), and honestly quite a bit when just driving around since you're adding that much flat surface area to the front of the truck, that didn't have a wide-open grille to begin with. Turbos create a LOT of heat, and with no way to cool the air down, you're going to notice loss of power and high engine temps. At some point you could overheat the turbos and take the bearings out of them, and at a couple grand each that's not a cheap repair.
Ford says 'no' to cover their own behinds, but just from a mechanical standpoint it's not a good idea.
That said, if you're dead set on doing it, I wouldn't use an EcoBoost truck, I'd keep looking for a 5.0. It is more the airflow that's the issue than electrical. You're going to be in the boost a LOT when plowing (gotta make power to move snow), and honestly quite a bit when just driving around since you're adding that much flat surface area to the front of the truck, that didn't have a wide-open grille to begin with. Turbos create a LOT of heat, and with no way to cool the air down, you're going to notice loss of power and high engine temps. At some point you could overheat the turbos and take the bearings out of them, and at a couple grand each that's not a cheap repair.
Ford says 'no' to cover their own behinds, but just from a mechanical standpoint it's not a good idea.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 21
There is a reason for no snow plows. Only the V8s can have it. I have a 2017 with the snow plow option. Its also a 5.0. Only 5.0 trucks could have that option, and it was only $50 on a 5.0 truck.
my truck has never had a plow on it and it wont as long as I own it.
my truck has never had a plow on it and it wont as long as I own it.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
If you're doing a "couple dozen" driveways, I would not use any half-ton pickup, and instead be looking for a deal on a Superduty.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,148
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If you're still doing driveways, I'd say you still have a need for a Super Duty.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: in the woods of MA
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
I have a ‘19 F-150 SCrew 5.0, bought new with a new 7.5’ Fisher straight plow, only used for my own flat driveway in the western Maine mountains. Before this, I used to live in Central Mass. for many years.
I would not recommend plowing more than your own driveway with an F-150 EB turbo. I got away with it for 3 years, by treating it as gently as possible, rarely leaving the property with the plow mounted, and I only lived a mile from work. You’ve got to be easy on the half ton front end. I experienced no breakage at all, but never left the plow off the ground when parked, and never pushed hard.
I would not recommend plowing more than your own driveway with an F-150 EB turbo. I got away with it for 3 years, by treating it as gently as possible, rarely leaving the property with the plow mounted, and I only lived a mile from work. You’ve got to be easy on the half ton front end. I experienced no breakage at all, but never left the plow off the ground when parked, and never pushed hard.
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