I have a 2015 F-150 that I purchased without the Heavy Duty Payload Package because I couldn't get the 501A or 502A packages with it, just the 500A. Now I want to attach a Boss HTX poly plow to it (I also bought the snow plow prep option), and according to my owners manual and the Ford Body Builders Layout Book I can only install the 7' HTX poly plow, not the 7'6" HTX poly which weighs 49 lbs more. Had I purchased the Heavy Duty Payload Package, I could have installed the larger plow.
I looked at what came with the HDPP, and it included the following:
3.73 electronic locking rear axle (I have this, purchased as a separate option), 9.75 inch gearset, upgraded springs, aux transmission cooler, and 18" silver aluminum wheels (which look exactly like the 18" machined aluminum wheels that came with my sport package, except for the paint).
So my question is, can I increase my load ratings legally by swapping to the same springs that come with the HDPP, and then legally install the heavier plow, or will the sticker on the door listing my original ratings make this illegal? If the 9.75 inch gearset that comes with the HDPP also increases the load ratings, would I also need to swap this out to get the same load capacity as the HDPP? Would it make sense to do this or would it cost a fortune and be illegal anyway?

Thanks

 

Definitely not illegal by any means, but you may run into problems warranty wise for installing "non-factory installed equipment". Yes, installing all of the same hardware will increase your load ratings to that of same cab/engine configuration of another truck with the factory HD package. The only thing is, obviously I'm not sure why they only offer the HD with the 500 package. You could possibly run into problems, so just FYI. Good luck!

 

I did some more research on the HDPP, and it's not offered with the 501A or 502A for a good reason. All the additional options add weight and therefore swapping to the HDPP springs with my 501A would have unknown effects. I'm sure the engineers at Ford carefully consider these things and that's why they don't let you buy the HDPP with 501A or 502A.
I'll stick to the 7' plow to be safe! Not to mention that when I'm commuting without the plow attached the ride is going to be much more harsh.

 

Other additions not mentioned are larger radiatior, engine oil cooler, larger bearings inside front and rear differential, stiffer shocks. Hopefully this added info helps

 

Not sure if I missed this somewhere but do you have the 5.0 or the ecoboost? Reason being is I have the ecoboost and wanted to put a plow on mine but they have told me I can't do to airflow restrictions.

 

5.0

Could also be because of the weigh over the front axle. Max tow doesn't mean equal to max payloads. If I add the mirrors and brake controller I would have max town do max payload.

 

So the 5.0 has a different front end then the ecoboost without the HDPP?

 

No, different springs

 

So please bear with me here but I also have another question. I was looking on the Ford site and it looks like the HDPP has 3.73 gears and the max tow has 3.55. Wouldn't you want the bigger gears in a tow package rather than a payload package or atleast the same size? I guess I was always under the impression the more you want to tow the lower the gear ratio you want.

 

Not necessarily. The truck needs more tq for takeoff with the added weight. The only place to get that is in the gearing. Personally if I was mad payloading it everyday I would have 4.10's.

Maybe this will give you some more insight. It lists specifically what the max tow and payload differences are

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...F150_Sep11.pdf

 

Yes. The Ecoboost has an intercooler which is why the license plate is not mounted in the middle. A plow would block airflow to the intercooler.

 

End result cooking your turbo and engine, glad the link helped

 

Yes thank you for the link RSTHD150. But they must have changed something with the 15's as my license plate is in the center.