Snow plow option

[turbod]

Still have not figured out what is the snowplow option for the new 04. 5 3500.



Since the truck is rated to 5200lbs on the front axle does it get even stronger(stiffer) springs?



2004 Ram brochure says the Hemi gets a 160amp alternator, what is the amp for the 600 diesel?



is a T case skidplate the only thing a 3500 will get from it?



read in a past post that there might be a Trans temp light, but i'm going to order a 6 speed.

 

[ChrisTucker]

Heavy Duty Snow Plow Prep Group

MSRP: $130. 00

160-Ampere Alternator

750-Ampere Maintenance-Free Battery

Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield



right off the dodge site. The diesel already has (2) of the 750ah batteries and the heavy duty alternator. If you get the protection package, you get the tow hooks and skidplate $40 cheaper

 

[Rosco]

On the diesel's you get the skid plate and I'm pretty sure heavier front spring's. I looked at an identical truck as mine the other day at the dealer except it did not have the plow prep and it seemed to sit a little lower in the front than mine.



If someone would like to compare spring #'s for verification my truck is a '04 2500 QC SB and my spring's are as follow's



Drivers -986AA

Passenger-985AA



Now let's get some #'s from non plow prep guy's.

 

[Buzzer]

I'm curious too, because for the extra $$ for snow prep vs the towing package vs. the diesel having the 750 amp batteries plus the 160 amp alternator anyway what exactly are we getting for the 100 or so $$? I ordered mine with the trailer tow ( I realize bigger radiator and hitch is included) and snow plow prep assuming the plow $$ were for the suspension. I sure hope I didn't pay twice for just a skid plate. LOL

 

[Rosco]

This may have changed but I have another thing to add. Back in late '02 early '03 we were hashing this out over on the DTR and if I remember correctly contrary to popular belief the Cummins actually come's with the smaller alternator, even with the plow prep package. My only logical explanation is that Cummins builds all the engine's with the belt driven accessories installed at their factory and then shipped to DC. For Cummins it's probably easier to install only one style alternator, although you'd figure they'd use the bigger one .

 

[guava]

I asked about this one and was told that the snowplow group wasn't available on the diesel. It was a 1/2 option only.

 

[geusterman]

Ditto Guava and also our alternators on the diesel are 120's. George

 

[Rosco]

Originally posted by guava

I asked about this one and was told that the snowplow group wasn't available on the diesel. It was a 1/2 option only.

Their is a definite option for the plow prep on the HD's. My last 3 truck's had it and I paid for it. furthermore my window sticker's said "this vehicle IS factory equipped for snowplow use". The 2500 I compared my truck to the other day did NOT have the plow prep and it's window sticker read "this truck IS NOT factory equipped for snowplow use".



It may be an option that includes nothing more than the OK from DC to hang a plow on the truck but your paying for it. I still firmly believe it includes different springs but I'm stubborn.

 

[FDavid]

#ad




If you build a dodge on the website, you can get the snow plow group on the diesel. here is a pic with a dually diesel straight from the dodge website. My question is if the snow plow springs are stiffer than what comes on the diesels or the same?

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I know you could not get the snow plow prep group with the 04 3500 DRW. I got the snow plow group on the 98 and 02 2500 just for the beefier springs.



According to the Technical Reports at National Truck Equipment Association web site the AHD (snowplow) is available for just the SRW diesels and not the diesel DRWs. The T03-17 report is newer that the T03-13 which I initially got ahold for the 03s back when I was trying to sort out the AHD issue.



http://www.ntea.com/TechCenter/techreports_list_all. asp



Maybe things have changed.

 

[Lorenz]

yes the springs are different and the alternator along w/ the batteries are bigger as stated before.



the difference in the springs is noticable. middle finger size (standard) vs thumb size w/ snow plow prep. i got it because i have a lance camper and the springs only made sense.



after 20,000 miles it sits level unloaded. towing the camper around a bit and breaking in the rear leafs helped out. consider it a factory 1. 5" lift. not quite the aftermarket 2" but close.



also, rancho doesn't recomend the rs9000 w/ the snow plow prep, i cant see why. ordered them anyway, ill let you know what happens in a couple weeks after i put them on...

 

[turbod]

Hmm... . interesting info on the NTEA website. Acording to that info the truck I am going to order should not have the snowplow option available for it (longbed - DRW - Manual) when i actually place the order i will question the dealer if their computer gives them the option to put the snowplow group on my truck. Also----I wanted to get a silver sport model and one of the first things it mentions in the NTEA website is that the sport group cannot have the snowplow group with it... . wonder why?

 

[curatchko]

Mine has the snow plow option. At least that's what the sticker says.



Don't know what it is or does..... my truck seems the same as everyone elses.



Chris

 

[Lorenz]

my 03 has the sport group with the snow plow prep.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Differences range from having the diesel, being a 3500/2500, DRW/SRW, bed and body style, and/or having an automatic/manual in a varitey of configurations. Check the ntea site for more info and configurations.



Again, all I wanted was the beefier springs, cheaply. Purty please Oh, well.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Originally posted by Rosco

On the diesel's you get the skid plate and I'm pretty sure heavier front spring's. I looked at an identical truck as mine the other day at the dealer except it did not have the plow prep and it seemed to sit a little lower in the front than mine.



If someone would like to compare spring #'s for verification my truck is a '04 2500 QC SB and my spring's are as follow's



Drivers -986AA

Passenger-985AA



Now let's get some #'s from non plow prep guy's.

My plow prepped diesel has the 986AA and the Alt says 136A



For some reason if you get the diesel you get robbed of the 160A alt.

 

[Bunn]

Working as a Dodge salesman I investigated this vary topic the other day. A customer pointed out that the snow plow prep could not possibly just be skid plates and a bigger battery/alternator.



I went to the parts department with two different VIN numbers for two 3/4 ton, diesel quad/short 4x4s. One snow plow, the other not. The part numbers for the front springs were different, and the snow plow springs were eight dollars more expensive.