I cant believe I'm the first one with this issue, but I cant find any threads that address it. First off, I have 2019 F350 4x4 crew cab XL cab and chassis (with a steel flatbed). There's about 90,000 on the 6.7 on the diesel motor. Wheelbase is 179". The front axle GVWR is 5600 (per label on door). Virtually every snow plow I am considering puts it just barely (about 50 - 75 lbs) overweight. I am only going to be plowing my personal driveway and I may occasional help a friend or neighbor. I have no desire to plow as a source of income. So my question is what method should/could I use to increase the GVWR on the front axle. I am not worried about any legal considerations as I live in BFE Alaska and there are some things that are just acceptable here because of the conditions. Also, once I mount the plow for the season, I want to leave it on for the season and not take it on or off. Because of how my work schedule is, I have to be able to just run home real quick, plow and leave. Otherwise I probably wouldn't care. I'm leaning towards airbags, but I would like to see what other people have done and how its worked out. Ideally I would like to increase the rating by at least 300 lbs.

Also, if it did have the snow package, how could I tell? Its unlikely that it did since prior to me this truck spent its life in the southern US. I looked up the VIN decoder and there is no mention of the snow package. Also, if it helps the spring code is DDGG with ULN right underneath.

 

You can get 6k coil springs. I'm guessing you didn't get the plow prep otherwise it would have come with 6k springs and GAWR.

 

Snow plow package trucks are about 1" higher in the front (more leveled), have dual alternators and dual batteries, and have upfitter switches on the overhead console. There are, however, other ways to get those items individually so you really need to check the build sheet or a VIN decoder. Ford dealer could probably plug in a VIN and see the original options.

 

Ya, I've got dual batteries and the upfitter switches, but only one alternator. I guess Ill have to check with the dealership and see if they can access the info. You'd think though that the door label would say 6K if that's what it really has and not 5600.

 

The bare bones snow plow package is just the 6000 springs and 220-250 amp alternator (depending on year). My 2019 doesn't have upfitters or dual alternators but has the plow prep package.

OP, I would just get the 6000 spring and call it a day, honestly the 5600 pound springs can probably handle it depending on what you are looking at for the blade. I am assuming you have the 220 amp alternator, if not I would upgrade to that as well with the electrical demands of the plow.

 

After researching this all night, I've just decided Ill order the 7K springs and just install them. Easy resolution and guaranteed to handle whatever plow I decide on. I have no idea on the alternator, but Ill cross that bridge when I get to it.

 

If you don't upgrade the alternator, just be aware that when you are operating the plow, you "might" have your radio or other electric devices stop working briefly. My 18 does it once in a while even though is has the plow prep package. It was either the 19 or 20 trucks where ford started adding the dual batteries with the plow prep because the earlier trucks like mine have the problem. If you are just doing driveways, I'd suggest doing like I did and get a 7 1/2 foot plow. Looks weird on a crew cab long bed but much easier to manuever in tight driveways.

 

Looks like the OP has DRW, 7.5' plow even straight on wouldn't clean enough of a path for the truck. IMHO he is looking at a 9' blade.

 

You're probably the first person I've seen who actually took the time to see if his truck had the plow prep springs before adding a plow. Most HD trucks down here, regardless of brand, that people put plows on very obviously DON'T have plow prep springs as they can barely get the plows off the ground.

Then there's the guys who put plows on half-ton trucks...

 

I have a 24 F350 gasser that I ordered with the plow package, just for the extra lift in the front. The plow package doesn’t come with dual anything or upfitters, just the heavier springs, snd a bigger alternator.

 

Agreed that a 3 yard blade is best for a dually. And the radio/electronic cut-out symptoms are not limited to early or non plow prep models. My 21 exhibits this behavior even with plow prep package & dual batteries/alternators.

 

Believe me, I'm quite aware that the 9 is recommended for that truck. I think they also recommended a 9 for my CCLB SRW because of the same reason. After doing my driveway and a few neighbors for 20 years, I still opted for the narrower blade. When you are trying to turn around in a normal 30 ft wide residential street, every inch shorter helps lol. I had a DRW on order and changed it to a SRW. I already have trouble occasionally ending up in the landscaping with the SRW, the big *** I think would just make it worse lol.

 

Interesting, I haven't had that issue with the 220 amp alternator on my 2019. When I had the 110 amp OEM alternator on my 2002 I got some dimming but I can't remember the radio cutting out, it definitely wasn't thrilled to be powering the plow but got the job done. I hardly notice anything on my 19.

A dually is 8 feet wide, a 7.5' blade won't even punch a big enough hole for the truck straight on must less angled. My father had an old poly Western on the front of his 2000 F350 SRW for a while, it worked but you could get into trouble very quickly. When I picked up clearing their driveway for them I went with an 8.5' Western Ultramount and it has been amazing. Plow is a breeze to hook up and makes a nice path. It is a MY2005 so the lower A-frame is going to need some love around the pivot bolt this off season but it is still worth it.
More power to you working with the 7.5' blade on a truck that long, I would use a snow blower before I would downsize the blade again.

 

I would of thought the length of the crewcab 8' bed would be more of a hindrance turning around than the width of a blade.

 

It is, and the combination has the turning radius of an aircraft carrier I do more towing than plowing so it's a pick your poison situation.