snow plow package-revisited!!

[Rocky in KC]

Will be ordering a 3500 DRW quad cab, 4x4,LWB, 6speed, with 3. 73 posi-- here's the question------we will NEVER--push any snow with this truck, BUT will have large 11' 1/2" Lance overhead camper--(DO I NEED THE SNOW PLOW PACKAGE???) WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAMPER PACKAGE!!! thanks in advance, Rocky

 

[MLimpert]

It appears the snowplow group no longer includes any type of front spring or suspension upgrades. I tried to order it on my 05 and they wouldn't allow me to purchase the protection group and the snowplow group together. The Cummins already comes with the HD charging system normally included with the snowplow prep group, so all you really get a 190. 00 skid plate. The Protection group is a better value for a Cummins equipped truck as you get both tow hooks and a skid plate for 95. 00. That still doesn't address the need for the heaviest front suspension possible though.



Snowplow Prep Group:

MSRP: $190. 00

160-Ampere Alternator

750-Ampere Maintenance-Free Battery

Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield



Protection Group:

MSRP: $95. 00

Tow Hooks

Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield

 

[Rocky in KC]

camper/snow package??

thanks for the reply--trying to learn all I can before ordering, as we know they use to have a camper package, just trying to get the RIGHT stuff for the job at hand!! R

 

[Bertram65]

Trucks with the snow plow prep have different front springs than those without. You can get the part numbers here, https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108170

 

[PJ]

I have the snow plow prep package on my 04. I guess that is why my truck seems to look higher than other 2500's Ive parked next to. I had no Idea that the springs were beefier Oo.

 

[rbattelle]

This is all changed from '03 when I bought my truck. Back then, the snow plow package wasn't available on Cummins trucks because if you actually attached a plow to them the vehicle would exceed the front axle weight rating. Dodge couldn't legally sell you a package that would allow the user to exceed the legal limits on the front axle.



Perhaps the 04 trucks are a little lighter up front so now they are able to offer the snow plow package with the Cummins? Or perhaps the front axle is a little beefier?

 

[JTurk]

My first CTD was a 96 2500 5sp Quad cab. I landed on a 9' Hiniker plow. What a combination! It puts about 750# out in front of the rig and traction is not a problem! Truck handles it great. I have gone 75 mph in 14" of snow with the plow on!



I have just gotten a new 9' Hiniker plow for my new 04. 5 3500 6-sp Dually. My only wonder now is tires. About two more months and I'll know!



Anyway, front ends on these rigs will take anything you put out there!

 

[PJ]

Keep an eye on your ball joints. I toasted mine at 12k and I only use my truck to commute. :{

 

[Bertram65]

This is all changed from '03 when I bought my truck. Back then, the snow plow package wasn't available on Cummins trucks because if you actually attached a plow to them the vehicle would exceed the front axle weight rating. Dodge couldn't legally sell you a package that would allow the user to exceed the legal limits on the front axle.



Perhaps the 04 trucks are a little lighter up front so now they are able to offer the snow plow package with the Cummins? Or perhaps the front axle is a little beefier?

My '03 has the plow prep it's right on the window sticker it came with.

 

[rbattelle]

My '03 has the plow prep it's right on the window sticker it came with.

Hmmm... maybe I'm wrong (sure wouldn't be the first time). I do know that I absolutely could not get the snow plow package on my truck. I guess if Bert's got a window sticker on a 3500 4x4 with the plow package, then I must be mistaken. Sorry about that!

 

[Rosco]

My '03 quad cab, short bed also had the plow package. However, the plow prep may not be available on certain long bed/quad cab configurations and definetly not on the dually 3500's. As in rbattelles case, if my memory serves me right, his 6 speed may be the reason why he was red flagged on the plow prep.



I will also stick to my guns in regards to the alternator issue that I have posted about in previous plow prep threads. The point being the Cummins equipped trucks all come with the same alternator regardless of plow prep packages or not, and too most peoples horror it's only in the 130 amp range.



Also, I have posted my spring #'s before as a reference tool to put this spring debate to bed once and for all. Here they are again for those interested. Front drivers:986AA and passengers:985AA. All three of my 3rd gen trucks have had these spring #'s and all were 2500's with the plow prep option. Two were Quad Cab shorties and the other was a regular cab long bed. To add to this, I have referenced a few non-plow prep equipped trucks on my dealers lot and the front spring #'s were different than mine.



So here is my final conclusion on this topic. The plow prep for a diesel Ram consists of different front springs, a skid plate, and the blessing from DC to hang a plow off your truck as long as it's under DC's weight limit.