Does anyone know if you can put a snowplow on a F-350, crew cab with the Diesel engine? I am looking at trading my current ride and ordering a 2003 F-350 with the 6.0 Diesel. I need to know if this truck can handle a plow on the front end. (light duty plowing, not commercial).
Also, what would cause less stress on the front end, the short bed or the long bed? I mean would a longer bed actually "spread out" the weight making it better?
Any advice would be appreciated..

 

You cannot order the snowplow prep on that configuration. I think it has to be an extra cab or less with the diesel. It is because of the weight.

I am sure you could put on one and probably not have any problems, but Ford may not warranty problems with the front end if you use a plow on something they dont reccommend.

I believe the reason for this is because of the weight of the engine. These diesels are heavy suckers.

I dont know on the long bed versus short bed, some others can help more with that.

Paul

 

Dealer won't order diesel with snow plow package. Too much weight in front. Those SD already sag in the front with the PSD, and adding the plow would damage the suspension I'm told.

 

I've got an 03 SD 7.3 CrewCab Short-bed. I've mounted a Sno-Way Predator 7 ft. with Poly and Wireless. I've had no problems and Ford hasn't had any problems with Warranty either. I had this same plow on my 2001 F250 SD V10 Short-bed. No problems with FOrd and the Warranty. I can tell you that I did have an "add a leaf" on the front of my 2001. The 2003 has the FX4 package and has a mucher stonger front-end and smoother ride too.

I elected to go with the 7.3 instead of the 6.0 PSD. Didn't want the first year production blues with a new motor. I know the 6.0 PSD has been tested for more than 2+ years, but still didn't want to take a chance.


Good Luck with whatever your choice is...

Have fun!

 

I would go long bed. More directional stability, better re-sale, more utility for you, etc., etc. And it can handle it just fine.

 

I think the truck you described would handle some light plowing duties with no problems, that being said though, you MAY run into some problems with Ford. My opinion, if you're not plowing commercially day in day out, go for it, the truck is up to it and any reasonable dealer should look past it.

I can't see any real pros/cons in the short vs long bed decision in terms of weight distribution. I don't think getting the weigh 12" further back will have a significant effect.

I can, however, see a serious CON of the long bed.

MANOUEVERABILITY.

It takes two country miles to turn a long box crew cab around. Also if you're dealing with curbs, etc the runout of the rear wheels will become a factor. Manoeuvering in tight places with a truck is hard enough, let alone with a truck that's 25' long.

As for resale, that's a toss up, I know that where I live, a long box truck would have considerably LOWER resale value.

If you're hauling large or long loads regularly a long box might be the way to go, otherwise, I'd suggest the short box.

It's more CONVENIENT.

Waxy

 

>It's more CONVENIENT.
>
>Waxy


Watch yourself Waxy, that word can cause chaos!!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Nov-02 AT 03:35 PM (EST)]>>It's more CONVENIENT.
>>
>>Waxy
>
>
>Watch yourself Waxy, that word can cause chaos!!


Hey... I have a Long Bed! Are you trying to say it's not convenient? Sorry Yeti, just had to do that one for you!

Seriously though, I can't comment on the plowing because I don't do it, but I can give you some words of advice on the bed size. I've got a Super Cab (aka extended cab) with a long bed, and this beast is a long one. Ever since I got the truck, I find myself going to Manhatta a whole lot less; very few parking spots can handle my whale of a truck. Even at the hardware store I have to park far away; partially to stay away from door dingers, and partially so that I can park 2 spaces deep and avoid having half my truck stick out of the parking spot. When I have a lot to haul, the long bed sure comes in handy. It's also great do be able to load 4x8 sheet material in the bed and close the taligate. But when I'm not hauling a lot in the bed, I sure wish I could shrink the darned thing down by 2 feet.

What a dilema; this poor guy is trying to ask about what bed size to get; I've already got one, and I'm not sure if it was the right choice or not! Maybe when I order my next truck, I'll get the short bed and keep a trailer for when I have a lot to haul. Hmmm... not a bad idea; good thing I've got a few years to ponder it before I need to replace my 2002 F-250. Check back with me in about 3 or 4 years; by then, maybe I'll make up my mind on this one.

 

As previously posted, yes you can put a plow on that truck, it is not "made" for that application and the dealer might have issues regarding waranty work. I would add a leveling kit, either the shackle kit or a add a leaf system to keep the nose from dragging.
I really don't think there would be much of a diff between long and short beds, although, I find the shorter the truck, the easier it is to manuver, don't forget, with a blade hanging off the front, it adds another 3+ feet, if you run a rear drag add another 2+ feet, it all adds up to being a PITA if your plowing in tight areas.

Just my 2 cents, trust me it won't get you much!!

 

Thanks everybody for all of the information. It will help me alot. I now have one last question. What exactly is a leveling kit and what purpose does it serve?

 

It's a kit that contains either add a leafs, of front replacement shackles, or sometimes both.
It's desinged to lift or raise the front of your truck to make it level with the rear.
Most all SD's from the factory are higher in the rear unless it has the plow package with the X springs, which will almost level the truck.

 

Hi Everyone. I like the looks of a long box CC and utility, but make sure you measure your garage to see if the sucker fits. That monster is long! The long box and longer wheelbase can be slighty better for towing, the dually being the best. I went CC short box so it would fit in my garage. Good luck!