Overheating with plow

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Dec 9, 2009 | 12:02 PM

Rob400

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From: Connecticut

Overheating with plow

My truck is a 2004 F350 6.0 and it has a 8'6" boss straight plow. I live at the top of a long hill (about 3 miles) and about 3/4 of the way up, the truck starts to overheat. Never had an overheat situation at any other time. Anyone else have a problem when transporting a Boss plow?

The plow dealer suggested keeping the plow as low as possible when transporting. That hasn't worked, so I tried it today with the plow all the way up, thinking it might cool better with air circulating below the plow, but that didn't work either. Anyone with experience or suggestions?

Possible solutions I have thought of are engine mods that cool (exhaust mainly, intake, bigger intercooler) or a leveling kit to get the front of the truck higher in the air above the plow. What do you guys think?

Dec 9, 2009 | 12:19 PM

suzuki0702

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did the boss dealer also tell you ford diesels that dont have the plowprep need the clutch on the cooling fan changed? do you have the plowprep package on your truck? if not........well ed at fordpartsguy here has em!

Dec 9, 2009 | 12:25 PM

senix

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From: Frederick, MD

exactly, need a different fan clutch and altenator should probably be changed out as well.

Dec 9, 2009 | 03:30 PM

sofdchief

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From: South Onondaga, NY

Between myself and my friend's business that does commercial plowing, we have 7 boss plows.....all on Ford SD's, couple of diesels, couple of V10s, and some 5.4Ls. We have been using them for at least 5-6 years, and have zero problems with over heat issues. I am not a big diesel guy, so I'm not exactly sure what your problem may be, but the the fan clutch is definitely a reasonable idea! I would start with whether or not your truck has the plow prep.

As a side note, all of our SD's are equipped with the plow prep package.

Dec 9, 2009 | 04:24 PM

mikesmayhem

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From: Stacy, MN

I agree with the above and I have also seen guys how cut a small rectangle out of the plow to allow more air flow to the radiator....Not SD's but I thought i would throw that out as well.

Dec 9, 2009 | 05:07 PM

suzuki0702

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesmayhem

I agree with the above and I have also seen guys how cut a small rectangle out of the plow to allow more air flow to the radiator....Not SD's but I thought i would throw that out as well.

no way! im not butchering my $5500 plow! lol

Dec 9, 2009 | 06:41 PM

Rob400

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Joined: Jan 2000

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From: Connecticut

Thanks guys. Gonna check out a new fan clutch now. My truck does not have the plow package, so that may be the culprit. Also why I want some heavier springs up front.

Does the new clutch make the fan come on quicker, or does it change the gearing so the fan pulls more air? Just curious.

Thanks again.

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Dec 9, 2009 | 08:59 PM

Pinky Demon

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Also try tilting your plow to one side or another as much as you can with decent clearance. I noticed my V10 250 without the snow plow prep runs slightly hotter, but not totally out of bounds. Usually run around 180 to 185, and now am running at 190. Numbers came from a Scan Gauge II.