Ok, question for all you techs and gurus out there. I've got an '04 XL Longbed, 5.4 4x4, tow package, and I'm looking at maybe plowing with it. It does NOT have the heavy duty package, ie. 7 lug wheels, etc. Would it be possible to swap in the heavy coils for up front and be okay? I've seen new F150's in Minnesota plowing but they had the heavy duty package. I know, you're going to say get a F250/350 but that isn't really an option right now. Any thoughts?

 

I would plow with mine as is. There is so many plows on the market now that weigh about 300-500 lbs that do not stress your front end so bad. Just add in a set of timbrens and look for a light plow. Heck Thats what I am doing to mine when the warrentee is up.

 

It's not the truck, engine, or suspension that I would be worried about. It is the total torture plowing puts on your slushbox tranny. A beefed up E4OD/4R100 or Torqshift in the bigger trucks is minimum IMHO. Or a stick that you could change a clutch in easily.

Unless you like paying for rebuilds, get a second bigger beater truck. I bet you will end up ahead money wise.

Adrianspeeder

 

So, do you think the IFS will hold up? Do I need heavier coils or a level kit to keep the front fairly level?

 

What are you going to plow? Just your driveway and some friends. I am using mine for a small parking lot and will take it easy doing it. Do the Timbrens change ride quality?

 

I may be doing some commercial plowing. Working for a contractor and maybe some private businesses. But if I do it I'll have quite a lot of plowing this season.

 

I'm going to aanswer this one with a qualifier. I drive and F-150, but I plow (for a contractor) with an F-350 diesel. Our fleet (10 Ford trucks, plus loaders, skid steers, dump trucks, etc) all have Fisher plows and upgraded springs both front and rear. All trucks also have the Snow Plow Prep Package. We plow apartment and shopping center parking lots with just a few driveways. As heavy duty as the stuff we run is, we still tear them up. Brakes and transmissions are the biggies, followed by U-joints and plow parts.

So, would I recommend plowing with an F-150? Generally speaking, no. If you use a light enough plow and only do a few driveways, maybe. If you start doing bigger stuff or deep (or heavy) enough snow, you're going to wipe that baby out pretty quick. Besides, having had a plow on it will kill the resale value. Want to guess why? Your choice.

 

It prolly would be ok, but the tranny will go long before suspension parts. These trucks just arn't made for plowing commercially. Get a pre 97 F150 (dana 44 front axle) or better yet a 250+

We plow with my uncles 1988 L8000 Ford dumper and an old chebby beater as a backup. One thing I have learned is that once you get contracts, and your truck goes down, your in some deep doodoo $$$ wise. Ya need a backup truck, let alone the fact that your primary truck is your daily driver.

Adrianspeeder

 

Im From Florida........................................... ............

 

I from FL too.... maybe we should get plows for moving hurricane debris from our driveways and streets.

 

The trannys in the F-150s with the 5.4 is based on the strong as hell c6 trannys from the last gen F-super dutys. The c6 was used behind everything, including the 460 so the ones in our trucks are very stout. Most everything on the F-150 is based to some extent on the last gen SD trucks actually. As for older F-150 D44s, remember thats TTB so the wieght of the plow will for sure ware the joints and will cause tons of negitive camber issues unless your springs are rock hard.

1500s can plow as long as your not a moron. My friend has plowed with a Chevy 1500 since new in 97. Yes he has had to replace his joints and what not, but thats due to 140,000 miles also.

I persoanlly plow with a old S-10 with a 2.8l. It just now after 340,000 decided its done. Its the origional motor and 2nt tranny. This tranny has a good 150,000 on it though. It ran that long becuase the people that used it did not run it like theres no tommaro. Know your trucks limits and you will be fine.

 

I agree use common sense, a friend has a 04 dodge ram hemi 1500 reg cab short box and has been plowing for 2 years now. No problems at all, he does not pound the truck put does move a lot of snow. His plow weights 565lbs. If those Dodges can do it I hope a ford can

 

C6 = bulletproof, A.K.A it is THE tranny for plowing or towing.
E4OD = C6's replacement in 89. Based on C6 but needs to be beefed up for heavy service
4R100 = Improved version of the E4OD designed for the superduty trucks and behind the 5.4s in the OBS F150. Recommeded to be beefed up for plowing duty

What do the new F150s use with the 5.4s? The 4R75e? Understanding fords tranny names I can't imagine it is tougher than the 4R100.

Plowing is more of an art then a science. I have only been doing it for a few years now, but to watch my uncle and how effortlessly he can move snow without straining the truck using momentium is a learned skill. I'm a lot better now than the first time I pushed snow, but I still end up using more throttle than I should.

Considering that you would be going out for the first time Rich, I would hate to see you toast your tranny on your new daily driver. Add contracts you would need to meet by subcontracting out to other plowers (big $$$ that bombs your profits) and you'll wish you never hung a plow on your truck.

Adrianspeeder

 

You have not specified what you intend to plow. Your driveway and maybe a few others are no big deal. Every major plow manufacturer has a 300lb plow on the market now a days and they were great for non commercial applications. a half ton is MORE than enough truck in this application.
The question is about you not the truck. You will eventually be approached to plow a parking lot or someother area that will collect large masses of snow. If you get the snowplow bug and start going nuts on your halfton you will wear it fast.
If you simply have a very big driveway I would not hesitate for a second to
equip your truck with a suitable plow.
If you still have reservations buy a "snowbear" its a good little plow but it will
break long before your truck will if you push it too far.