Hi Everyone, I am in the market for a new F350 SD and hear Jeff is the go to guy on the East for a great Ford buying experience. I will be contacting him after I decide on the correct configuration of my F350. As for now, I have visited a few of my local dealers, but not much in inventory to look over. Still deciding between SC and CC...so anyway, here is my question:

Does anyone have a link or PDF file of the Salesperson's Source Book?

During one of my visits to my local dealer, we consulted this book or manual for a few specs on the 2005 F350, tank capacity, vehicle length, lariat pkg details, etc. The book was very informative and explained the options in detail. After more research, I need more info on the specs & details of the following packages: Camper Pkg, Heavy Service Pkg, Stabilizer Pkg, Tow Pkg, & Tow Command Pkg.

Thank you & feel free to PM or email me if you prefer!

 

http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/6L_bible_html/html/TOC.html

Try this place it has tons of helpful info, even for us sales ppl.

 

The Ford Source Book comes in two forms: the printed version you saw at your local dealer, and an on-line version through the Ford dealer website. That website is only available to dealership employees; it requires individual electronic ID and an ever-changing password.

Try this link, and click on specs:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/superduty/

 

Doh,

Thanks for the link, wow, for those PSD owners out there...what a great resource. This guy is a data maniac, kudoos to his worksheets and pics. Great info!



Jeff,

I appreciate your info as well. Maybe you can shed some light on my 2005-2006 F350 purchasing decisions...while I narrow my preferrable options down, I have been researching the effects of the following pkgs:

1. Heavy Service Suspension Pkg
2. Camper Pkg
3. Snow Plow Pkg

All pkgs seem to describe increased spring rates to the front end and the mention of a stabilizer bar to the rear. But nothing about rear suspension upgrades. No mention of increased springs or payload to the rear. Am I missing something here...are their other spring pkgs that upgrade the rear, or does all these Pkgs consist of front suspensions mods and nothing to the rear springs?

I need a truck to haul items in the bed, not necessarily for towing but hauling (Payload). If these pkgs only add to front springs, yes I realize it will have a better effect overall on hauling, but actually it doesn't increase the rear payload capacity much at all? I have read the notes about selecting these pkgs listed above, "may deteriorate ride quality." I sure don't want to compromise ride quality of my new F350 if i won't gain much more payload capacity! Can you shed some light on this subject? Your info would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Joe

 

There's a lot of confusion over those options. None of the packages increases the payload of the truck- they are use-specific for the type of payload you might be carrying. You're not missing anything- there are no Rr spring options. Sooo...

1. Heavy Service Suspension Pkg
"I'm going to beat the snot out of this truck without it breaking"
2. Camper Pkg
designed for a heavy load with a raised center of gravity
3. Snow Plow Pkg
designed for...well, snowplows, or big heavy winches thrown out front.

All of them, except the Camper package, will deteriorate the unloaded ride of that truck (It'll ride stiffer). Whether that's a bad thing or not has been debated endlessly on the SD boards- suffice to say, if you don't want a stiff ride, don't go there.

 

Oh, to have the time to REALLY answer this question. But, here's the Reader's Digest version:

As polarbear said, those three packages have no effect on payload, and payload rating is a combination of many things, not just rear springs. Ford looks to payload as a reflection of the vehicle's "weakest link," for lack of a better term. Can the axle handle the weight? What about brakes/ wheels/ tires? All have to be factored into a truck's GVW rating.

Of the three packages, I hold up a crucifix whenever someone mentions the Heavy Service Suspension Package. That will DESTROY the ride of the truck without adding something heavy to the front. The other two will firm it up a bit, and are primarily offered to make sure you don't void the warranty by adding a slide-in camper and/ or plow. You say you'll NEVER add a plow or put on a camper? Then why would you want those packages? If you're concerned about resale, and live in an area where it snows 10 months out of the year (like here...), then the plow package may be money well spent.

 

If you're concerned about resale, and live in an area where it snows 10 months out of the year (like here...), then the plow package may be money well spent.

We just have the city/county do it for us.

 

Yeah, the city/county does a good job in my area, even cleaned my mail box off the street this year. Busted the 4x4 support post in half, had to go dig my nice moulded mailbox out from under the snow pile.


I appreciate the replies guys. I am suprised the Camper Pkg doesn't upgrade payload on the F350. Hmmmmm, I know some of those slide in campers weight quite a bit. Last week while at my local dealer, I saw what looks like helper springs on the rear of a Super Duty. I mentioned to the Salesperson, and he said "ah yeah, that results from Camper Pkg Option." I looked at sticker and it was on there, Camper Pkg $160 so I didn't think anymore about it. Now I have learned that isn't true! Does all Super Duties have the helper springs in the rear? I want to be well informed when I go back to my local dealer to have another look!

Plan Pricing Question: How does one get plan pricing, I have seen talk about qualifing for x-plan pricing. Do i need to apply, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks again,

Joe

 

The important thing to remember is this- unlike the old days, the model (150,250,350) determines the payload capacity, not the options. This makes sense- a 350 is the HD option (over, say, the 250)- there really shouldn't be optional payloads. If a customer wants a smoother ride and doesn't need the payload, they don't need a 350 either. If the regular 350 isn't enough, that's what the dual rr wheel setup is for.

 

This site seems to have a number of useful pdf files:

http://www.sunrisefordfleet.com/06_order.htm

Kent Kester

 

Kent,

Very good link, was given a heads up on that site yesterday, but thank you!


Polarbear,

Good Point and I agree! I am no longer considering the F250 as my new truck purchase because of this very reason. I need a HD truck that will do HD work. My 83' F250 was capable of HD work, seems the new F250 are not as capable in terms of payload.

Example:

While using my 83' F250 I enter the scales at approx 5300 lbs me included. After I get loaded (gravel, lumber, logs, ect. whatever I need to haul that day), I exit the scales...well last time at 9660 lbs. My truck rides real nice on the way home, no need for that kidney belt I wore on the way there with that 80 lb of air in the rear tires. No swaying, no riding home on the snubbers, and 460 does the job quit well, no we don't need to talk about the gas mileage, we can probably count that on one hand But really, rating wise, payload capacity, I don't know for real (real world experience with new SD F250s Please comment), but published numbers from ford says an 05 F250 won't do this type of load.

Thus my need for an F350 as my new truck purchase. What I am trying to learn is what upgrades you get when you move up to the F350. Springs, Brakes, Frame, Axels, Bearings, Wheels, Etc. Since the F350 is my model of choice now, I need to learn if any optional pkgs will further help this payload capacity or just hinder my ride because of stiffer front springs that won't add to payload capacity as much as hinder ride quality. Lets take the snow plow pkg for example... I may never put a snow plow on my truck so no need for that option I guess. The Camper Pkg, I may never use a slide in rear camper, but the stability for a raised center of gravity may come in handy with a large load of lumber or logs, therefore I can give up some ride quality there. But from the description of the Camper Pkg:

CAMPER PACKAGE (532)

Availability:

•

Includes:

•

•

•

•

•

The Camper Pkg doesn't mention anything about rear springs or axel upgrades, yet the Ford website does mention Auxiliary Springs. Hmmmm, are they referring to front or possible the helper springs I have seen on some the new F350s at my local dealer? I do hope to find some answers tomorrow when I visit my local dealer. Thanks guys, if you have any further comments please keep em coming!

Regards,

Joe

 

That's the helper springs you've seen with the HD Service pkg. again, it doesn't increase your payload. If it were me, I'd spring for the Camper pkg and the FX4- but that's just a jaundiced car-guy view towards resale.

 

I think you got something there, Polarbear! The more I research, this Camper pkg seems to be the best pkg for me.

Why do you recommend the FX4 Pkg?

 

Because it's there...Really- a lot of customers will pass on a truck without those FX4 stickers on the backside. Almost like the "Z71" syndrome on the Chevy side. There is an ad in the blue book for it though.

 

Ahh, I see! FX4 syndrome...will watch out for these guys. Seriously though, since I am choosing the 4x4, limited slip rear, and considering all terrain tires...I might as well toss in an FX4 Pkg and get a few Skid Plates, Rancho Shocks, Sterring Damper and oh yeah, the way cool Decal!

Thanks for all your info, much appreciated!

Joe