Snow Plow Prep Group

[kwoods]

Can you get the snow plow prep group on the 2003's? What does this option consist of on the 2nd Gen's?? Different front springs??

 

[Bigramguy]

Usually the snow plow prep for the diesels is just a transmission temp overheat lamp,and sometimes different front springs,depending on the truck,at least it was on most 2nd gens.



The diesels usually already have the trans cooler,HD transfer case,HD cooling,dual batts,HD alt,etc that is usually spec'd on a plow truck.

 

[DHess]

See if this helps out. Doesn't say what the plow option is but does say what it's available on.



http://www.dodge.com/ram_hd/capability/snow_plowing/index.html

 

[Bigramguy]

Checked out the link above. Picture shows a 3500 Quad cab CTD with a fisher plow mounted on the front,but according to the charts provided they don't recommend ANY plow be put on that particular truck



NICE ONE DC !!!

 

[BV]

Plow package

At one time the package included uprated front springs, transmission overheat warning light for the automatic and the hd transfercase.

 

[DHess]

Just seems to me that what is in option packages, like the plow prep and towing package, should be standard equipment on a pickup. Maybe I'm old fashioned but a pickup is, or should be, designed to work (towing and hauling) and play (hunting and fishing) - especially with a Cummins under the hood. A full set of gauges, or at least the ability to display what the computer is seeing, should also be standard. That goes for "heavy duty" also. The option should be to remove items for those who want to just cruise Main Street.



Just had to vent a little.



Dave

 

[KCJackson]

Since the 5200-pound front axle is now standard, there is no longer a need for uprated front springs.



According to the Dodge charts, the only Rams that cannot be equipped with the plow pack are 3500 Quad 4x4 DRW with the Cummins - just about everything else qualifies (including 3500 Reg Cab DRWs and 3500 Quad SRWs with the HO but not the standard Cummins).



Dodge does have this in their legalese:



"Notes for Heavy Duty Snowplows:



* At any time, the maximum number of occupants in the truck should not exceed two

* Under Any Circumstances GVWR and Front and Rear GAWRs should not be exceeded

* Snowplow prep packages are NOT available with Sport (AAG) and Off Road (AWL) packages

* Cargo capacity will be reduced by the addition of options

* Ballast should be applied inside the box at 9 inches from the rear tailgate for pickups



The total weight of hardware should not exceed 100 lbs.

Max snowplow weight should not exceed 750 lbs. "

 

[kwoods]

dodge website

You can go on the Dodge website and build your own 2003 Ram and in the options you find Heavy Duty Snow Plow Prep Group... ... . put your mouse over the yellow box with the'i' in it and it tells you what comes with this package... ... ... . it says transfer case shield plate..... price is $130..... if you'll notice the option above this one is Protection Group... it says that you get the transfer case shield plate and the tow hooks for $95... ... ... I wonder what's up with this?? Anyone have anymore info on the Snow Plow Prep option???

 

[KCJackson]

You get different springs with the Snow Plow package. Same weight rating, but a different spring rate, since they need to be a lot stiffer to shove the white stuff around.

 

[Roy1]

I think the problem with the QC is the number of seat or people it can hold (6) They add the weight of the max number of people and the weight of the plow.



Who plows with 6 people in a truck?? Easy, the people at DC

 

[Peter Campbell]

Or mayby " easy the lawyers at DC"

 

[kwoods]

Has anyone seen a 3G with the Snow Plow Prep Package, I was just wondering if it sits up a little higher in the front compared to a 3G without the Package.

 

[tarussell]

On the Dodge web site, under build your own truck,they list the discription. It looks like they offer a 160 and a 140 AMP. altenator or is it one or the other? I know that Ford offers dual altenator's on the F-350 diesel;maybe DC has wised up and made such an option on the snow plow pkg. Anyone know if this is true or not?

 

[Snow man]

The plow pacckage info states that you are only to have a driver,and one passenger,when the plow is on. The problem is the heavy Cummins engine,These rams are over 5200 on the front end if the are quad cabs,they can only take a 633 lb plow according to the book. Ive weighed mine,its overloaded with the plow,no question about it,if i ballast it to get the front end down to 5200-then its over the 8800.

 

[Task125]

just talked to dodge,

they said you can't get plow package with diesel only gas.

 

[FATCAT]

Hate to say this ...

But just over at the Ford Commercial truck site www.commtruck.com, and was able to build a 4X4 F550 Crew Cab with the new 6. 0L Powerstroke and Snow Plow/Trailer Tow package for $44,500 ... which has a 6K front axle.



DC better wake up soon ... It appears that they could care less about the truck market these days other than the all-flash-no-substance 1/2 ton market.



Hate to say it, but Ford is looking better and better these days for having the right truck for the right application.

 

[MBean]

Task...

Task,

Your BEST idea is to contact Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg, Idaho and ask them your questions. Although still just another "Stealership", they are THE best dealership I've ever seen at answering the obtuse questions about options and availability. I plan on ordering mine through them unless Auge Boys in Belen, NM can (or is willing to) beat their price.



M. Bean

 

[KCJackson]

Re: Hate to say this ...

Originally posted by FATCAT

But just over at the Ford Commercial truck site www.commtruck.com, and was able to build a 4X4 F550 Crew Cab with the new 6. 0L Powerstroke and Snow Plow/Trailer Tow package for $44,500 ... which has a 6K front axle.



DC better wake up soon ... It appears that they could care less about the truck market these days other than the all-flash-no-substance 1/2 ton market.



Hate to say it, but Ford is looking better and better these days for having the right truck for the right application.

While there is a strong possibility of a Ram 4500 when the chassis-cabs return for 2004, DC has been pretty consistent about leaving class 5 to Freightliner.

 

[FATCAT]

4500+ series and Freightliner?

Well, if DC goes the Freightliner route for 4500/5500 series (i. e. a FL40 & FL50) ... I would hope that there would be a 4X4 version line like the F450/F550's are.



But I doubt that these new Freightliners could compete price wise with the F450/F550's at $45,000 and under.



Why is DC draging their feet on something like this? Do they think they could never compete in this market segment?



Lets say there was a FL50 ISC 4X4 under 26,000 GVW for $50+K ... how many of youes guys would consider this truck ... I know I WOULD.

 

[KCJackson]

When you buy in that weight class, you look at cost to own, not just purchase price. You may notice that a lot of ambulance corps are buying medium Freightliners and Internationals when they used to buy Ford and Chevy 3s and 4s. Why? The larger rigs have a 10-12 year lifespan, compared to 5 for the lighter trucks.