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Old 02-22-2017, 04:04 PM   #1
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Should I let Snow Plow Prep kill the deal

We are in the home stretch of picking out a new TV and are getting hung-up on a low-cost, seemingly trivial detail but one that we’re hoping this forum can help-out on. For whatever reason, we've decided on an F250 with the high trim level seats so we get adjustable lumbar support. In our market, nearly all vehicles come with a Snow Plow package. After reading all the posts here and on Ford-Trucks forum addressing Snow Plow, a person will complain about the ride on a snow plow equipped truck while another will say that it’s because you need Bilstein shocks. We will have the FX-4 kit with the questionable Rancho shocks so the question is whether or not the snow plow kit which jumps the springs roughly 400# capacity will be noticed. And if so, whether better shocks will bring the ride back to the way it was without the snow prep package.

Found two trucks. One 1,200 miles away without the snow plow prep and one 50 miles away with the snow plow prep. Not only is the closer one less expensive, it’s also less expensive to drive home as I don’t first have to fly there.

I will never, ever, plow with this truck and I will try to hold off selling it until it hits 200,000 miles.

So if you have experience with either how better shocks will impact the ride and/or how the snow plow package effects the ride, we would appreciate the insight. Or, if the FX-4 somehow will impact the ride as well.

And yes -- I know it's a truck and rides like a truck but the reason I'm going with the 2017 is because it rides almost like it isn't.

Thank you in advance.
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Old 02-22-2017, 04:33 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AirstreamCSH View Post
We are in the home stretch of picking out a new TV and are getting hung-up on a low-cost, seemingly trivial detail but one that we’re hoping this forum can help-out on. For whatever reason, we've decided on an F250 with the high trim level seats so we get adjustable lumbar support. In our market, nearly all vehicles come with a Snow Plow package. After reading all the posts here and on Ford-Trucks forum addressing Snow Plow, a person will complain about the ride on a snow plow equipped truck while another will say that it’s because you need Bilstein shocks. We will have the FX-4 kit with the questionable Rancho shocks so the question is whether or not the snow plow kit which jumps the springs roughly 400# capacity will be noticed. And if so, whether better shocks will bring the ride back to the way it was without the snow prep package.

Found two trucks. One 1,200 miles away without the snow plow prep and one 50 miles away with the snow plow prep. Not only is the closer one less expensive, it’s also less expensive to drive home as I don’t first have to fly there.

I will never, ever, plow with this truck and I will try to hold off selling it until it hits 200,000 miles.

So if you have experience with either how better shocks will impact the ride and/or how the snow plow package effects the ride, we would appreciate the insight. Or, if the FX-4 somehow will impact the ride as well.

And yes -- I know it's a truck and rides like a truck but the reason I'm going with the 2017 is because it rides almost like it isn't.

Thank you in advance.
Don't know 2017 ride characteristics, so can't help you with that. Personally, I wouldn't sweat it.

Do know that on previous generation models we used to see snow plow prep for vehicles that would never plow, without worrying about it. One benefit was the larger alternator that came with the snow plow prep package. You could check if that is still the case on the 2017 models. It may depend on which engine and combination of other options you have. Not a bad idea to have the larger alternator, IMO.

Jeff
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Old 02-22-2017, 04:45 PM   #3
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Sorry, arm chair speculation is all I have.

Maybe some experienced Ford parts guy can research the exact part number for the front springs and possibly shocks. If the snow plow prep includes front stronger springs to carry the plow weight, can you replace with standard springs and bring the front end back to standard?

Gary
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:25 PM   #4
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Should I let Snow Plow Prep kill the deal

I own a 2016 f250. Ultra Lariat with snow plow prep. It rides fine for a 250. I didn't even notice the difference. When you put weight distribution on it it will equal out. Part of the package is the heavy duty alternator and that's a good thing to have.

The snow plow prep add to the resale value.

The Rancho shock are lifetime warranty.

The only issue i have is the short bed diesel has only a 26 gallon tank. I just installed a 50 gallon Transfer Flow tank, so with the extra weight I think it will ride better.
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Old 02-22-2017, 07:03 PM   #5
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Another option, if you're patient, is to special order the truck. This way you get everything exactly the way you want, and with nothing you don't want. The only downside is having to wait the 2 months or so for Ford to build and deliver it.

I bring this up because I just did order mine last December, and my truck arrived two weeks ago and it's perfect. Since you're paying $50 to $70 K you ought to get exactly what you want.
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Old 02-22-2017, 07:34 PM   #6
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I did pass on an otherwise perfect 2017 f250 because of snow plow prep. I can be easily driven nuts by aspects of a truck that I regret. I ended up ordering and am very pleased with the final product. I love having it just the way I want it.
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Old 02-23-2017, 11:27 AM   #7
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I'd get it, put a front receiver on the truck and then happily load it up with bikes, coolers, scooter, generator or whatever you wanted on the front end and not worry one whit about the extra weight on the front end!
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Old 02-23-2017, 11:41 AM   #8
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Have a Chevy 2500 with snow plow prep, installed a 2" receiver on front for a heavy duty bike rake (wife has an E-bike - 50#) and it rides great on the front. Will never use a snow plow - but you never know......Andy
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Old 02-23-2017, 12:33 PM   #9
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I always order the snow plow option on my trucks and I don't plow snow. Ford's option is around $100 and you get a level front end, HD shocks and HD radiator. A lot for the money. Even if I lived in Miami, I would order it.
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Old 02-23-2017, 05:37 PM   #10
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Or just buy one from a dealer elsewhere. Trucks here in south Florida don't have snow plow attachments.
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Old 02-23-2017, 08:30 PM   #11
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I replaced my Jeep Wrangler steering box with a stronger Dodge Dakota box. The Dakota box was available in a standard and "snow plow" version. I chose the snow plow version for its slower ratio witch is good for rock crawling, but too slow on the freeway. On the freeway it takes more steering input to achieve slight corrections. I don't know if GM or Ford change the steering ratio on their snow plow optioned trucks, but could be a consideration.
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Old 02-23-2017, 08:57 PM   #12
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I am in Florida and custom ordered a 2011 Chevrolet Duramax 3500 4x4 with the snow plow prep package. This was the only way that I could get the heavy duty front axle. I carry a 3,300# truck camper in the bed, and felt that I needed the heavy duty front axle.

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Old 02-24-2017, 04:08 AM   #13
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Is the closer truck the right color? If so... buy it. I would travel 1,200 miles for a Airstream trailer, not for a new truck. You can also wait a month for other opportunities.
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Old 02-24-2017, 07:02 AM   #14
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Many dealerships are willing to get trucks that are in inventory at other dealers. Has your local dealer done a computer search to see if another dealer within a reasonable distance has what you want?
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Old 02-24-2017, 07:18 AM   #15
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F250

If you're not in a hurry, order it. I could never find one that had the options that I want. We just ordered, 6-8 weeks to deliver.
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Old 02-24-2017, 07:44 AM   #16
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Should I let Snow Plow Prep kill the deal

I can't vouch for Ford or the pickup side of GM but I know that they promise a two week turn around for GM vans. I did a custom order and 2 1/2 weeks later I picked it up. Customer orders go to the top of the build queue.

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Old 02-24-2017, 10:11 PM   #17
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I tried the dealer search, chat search, www.cars.com search and the 100 mile build search and kept coming up short. At this price, I want it the way I want it but really need it by May to practice for July. So I'm ordering one oddly enough with the snow prep package because two dealers with no dog in the hunt affirmed that going from 5200# to 6000# on the front won't impact ride. Wheelbase, tire size and shocks effect ride but front springs of this increase won't.

Choosing the dealer to order from is hard. The build was easy and pricing seems to be $500 below invoice or 6.85% off MSRP.
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Old 02-25-2017, 07:01 AM   #18
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Did you test drive the 2017 F250s in you area with the snow plow prep. Was the ride horrible or are you hoping one without the that package will more comfortable.

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Old 02-25-2017, 08:43 PM   #19
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It was the pursuit of the best ride I could get. My local dealers thought a 15 minute drive was a big deal and we made a big circle around the dealerships. Not a good way to determine ride quality and certainly not possible to test multiple and compare. So we went to 3 dealerships, went through the process and tried to remember. Finally found an out of state dealer who knew the packages and trade offs so I trust his assertion that there won't be any noticeable impact on ride quality.
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