I sold my snow plow and all the hardware that came with my F350 06 PSD when I bought it. We (the buyer with me watching) is removing all the truck mounted hardware and electronics this weekend (part of the deal). He says that the 350 originally comes with a "blocker beam" that "ties" the front end of the chassis together. I don't have the "blocker beam" that was removed by the previous owner. How critical is it? Who am I kidding, WHAT is it? thanks in advance. rc

 

I believe the blocker beam that he's referring to is the beam that actually keeps your truck from crawling over another person's car.. Most times you see them as ridiculous bars that hang way below the bumper on lifted trucks.. Most states require that you attach these aftermarket blocker beams so that in the case of an accident, your not going up and over the car..

I'm pretty sure for plow that has to be removed because the plow bolts on the chassis (if I'm right)..

So in other words you should be safe.. But someone should chime in and confirm that.. I know the concept of a plow, just never used or had one.. I live in texas so we don't get much snow lol.

 

Storm is right about the beam being there for traffic safety reasons. It's definitely NOT required to "hold the front of the truck together" as the 99-00 trucks didn't have them.

 

You don't have to have it, and a lot of the guys that put on aftermarket bumpers get rid of it. Did the guy who is buying your plow setup offer to sell you his? I'm thinking maybe he told you that to scare you into buying it if he did.

 

Here's a Ford Modified Vehicle Engineering Bulletin regarding the Blocker Beam and snow plow attachments: www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/MVE8.PDF

They clearly cover themselves stating either the snow plow or Blocker Beam must be installed since air bag deployment may be affected. The only caveat would be getting into an injury accident and a lawyer gets a hold of the fact it was removed from the vehicle. Far fetched maybe, but still a possibility.

 

Ive fixed hundreds of wrecked superdutys and I can definatly say you want it on there, it protects the radiator and all the other coolers in a wreck, it also holds the front frame rails together so one doesnt get pushed in easily. Its a pretty stout piece and youll be glad its there if you ever hit a pole or anything.

 

WE KEEP A FEW OFF TRUCKS WE INSTALL PLOWS ON BECAUSE SOME TRUCKS ARE SOLD AS USE W/OUT PLOWS AND WE USSUALLY REINSTALL THEM, ONLY LEGALITY I BELIEVE. Sorry for the CAPS.

 

My stock one is still in.. I just didn't put the aftermarket one in required when you lift your truck.. I don't think a bar sitting below my bumper in plain sight is attractive LOL

 

When I had the plow put on my truck, they gave me back the blocker beam and a couple of triangle shaped brackets and something that may have been an air deflector. They're sitting on the side of my driveway on the stone wall, which is where I put them when I got home with the plow. It is a fairly stout hunk of steel and I can see that it would take a lot of the impact energy in a crash.

 

OK, thanks to all. I need to find a blocker beam I guess. I may call the guy I got the truck from and see if he has it. If not, I guess it's back to Ford. thanks rc

 

I believe the true technical term for these is "commerce bars".....same general principle of the bar that hangs down at the back of a tractor-trailer. As was already stated, it is supposed to "prevent" little rice burners from going underneath your front end. Does it protect the front end componnents a little in a front end collision? Yep...it does to some extent, but there are a lot of variables when it comes to MVC's. Anyway, rchouser, I believe I still have one from my '02 in the shed....don't know if it would fit or not, but if it does you can have it for the cost of shipping only.

 

Thanks sofdChief, I will check if it will work on my 06 and let you know if I need it. Only on this forum would somebody make that kind of offer. May your roads be smooth and your traffic light. rc

 

We call them Miata bars.

 

Since my ford 4x4 didn't have one I put a front hitch in it's place.