We recommend the four-wheel drive F-150 in XL, XLT or Lariat trim levels with the 5.0L engine and snowplow option for residential snowplowing only. We do not recommend the F-150 with the automatic four-wheel drive system for snowplowing.
Do not use F-150 vehicles equipped with the 2.7L, 3.0L, 3.3L or 3.5L engines for snowplowing.
Installing the Snowplow
Weight limits and guidelines for selecting and installing the snowplow are in the Ford Truck Body Builders Layout Book, snowplow section, found at www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas.
A typical installation affects the following:
  • Certification to government safety laws such as occupant protection and airbag deployment, braking, and lighting. Look for an Alterer’s Label on your vehicle from the snowplow installer certifying that the installation meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
  • The Front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is on the upper left side of the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label. This is the total weight that front axle supports, which includes the vehicle weight plus any auxiliary equipment such as snowplow frame-mounted hardware that can be added to the vehicle and satisfy Ford compliance certification to FMVSS. Do not exceed FGAWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
  • Rear ballast weight behind the rear axle may be required to prevent exceeding the FGAWR, and provide front-to-rear weight balance for proper braking and steering.
  • Front wheel toe may require re-adjustment to prevent premature uneven tire wear. Specifications are in the Ford Workshop Manual.
  • Headlight aim may require adjustment.
  • The tire air pressures recommended for general driving are on the vehicle’s Safety Certification Label. The maximum cold inflation pressure for the tire and associated load rating are on the tire sidewall. Tire air pressure may require re-adjustment within these pressure limits to accommodate the additional weight of the snowplow installation.
  • Federal and some local regulations require additional exterior lamps for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Contact an authorized dealer for additional information.
Snowplow Mode (If Equipped)
Press the snowplow button on the instrument panel to switch on snowplow mode. The button illuminates when in snowplow mode. A message appears in the information display indicating that features are turned off when in snowplow mode.
The following features are disabled when in snowplow mode:
  • 110V inverter.
  • Fog lamps.
  • Heated steering wheel.
  • Heated front and rear seats.
  • Massaging seats.
The body module also activates the snowplow relay that provides power to aftermarket snowplow controls.
Switch off snowplow mode by pressing the snowplow button or switching off the ignition. The snowplow button is no longer illuminated and features are turned on.
Note:   The electrical system is designed to support the addition of a residential snowplow (up to 60 Amps continuous) and snowplow lights (up to 20 Amps continuous) using snowplow mode. The system is not designed to support snowplow usage with additional electrical aftermarket accessories.
Operating the Vehicle with the Snowplow Attached
Note:   Drive the vehicle at least 500 mi (800 km) before using your vehicle for snow removal.
We recommend vehicle speed does not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) when snowplowing.
The attached snowplow blade restricts airflow to the radiator, and may cause the engine to run at a higher temperature. Attention to engine temperature is especially important when outside temperatures are above freezing. Angle the blade to maximize airflow to the radiator and monitor engine temperature to determine whether a left or right angle provides the best performance.
Follow the severe duty schedule in your Scheduled Maintenance information for engine oil and transmission fluid change intervals.
Snowplowing with your Airbag Equipped Vehicle
WARNING   WARNING:  Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag supplemental restraint systems or its fuses on a vehicle containing air bags as you could be seriously injured or killed. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING   WARNING:  All occupants of your vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their seatbelts, even when an airbag supplemental restraint system is provided. Failure to properly wear your seatbelt could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.
WARNING   WARNING:  Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of your vehicle (including hood, bumper system, frame, front end body structure, tow hooks and hood pins) may affect the performance of the airbag system, increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify or add equipment to the front end of your vehicle.

Note:   Please refer to the Body Builders Layout Book for instructions about the appropriate installation of additional equipment.
Your vehicle is equipped with a driver and passenger airbag supplemental restraint system. The supplemental restraint system activates in certain frontal and offset frontal collisions when the vehicle sustains sufficient longitudinal deceleration.
Careless or high speed driving while snowplowing, which results in significant vehicle decelerations, can deploy the airbag. Such driving also increases the risk of accidents.
Never remove or defeat the tripping mechanisms designed into the snow removal equipment by its manufacturer. Doing so may cause damage to the vehicle and the snow removal equipment as well as possible airbag deployment.
Engine Temperature while Plowing
Your engine may run at a higher temperature than normal because the attached snowplow blade restricts airflow to the radiator:
  • If you are driving more than 15 mi (24 km) at temperatures above freezing, angle the plow blade either full left or full right to provide maximum airflow to the radiator.
  • If you are driving less than 15 mi (24 km) at speeds up to 45 mph (72 km/h) in cold weather, you do not need to worry about blade position to provide maximum airflow.
Transmission Operation while Plowing
WARNING   WARNING:  Do not spin the wheels at over 34 mph (55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.

  • Shift transfer case to 4L (4WD Low) when plowing in small areas at speeds below 5 mph (8 km/h).
  • Shift transfer case to 4H (4WD High) when plowing larger areas or light snow at higher speeds. Do not exceed 15 mph (24 km/h).
  • Do not shift the transmission from a forward gear to R (Reverse) until the engine is at idle and the wheels have stopped.
Outside Air Temperature While Plowing
While plowing with your vehicle, the plow blade can block the sensor airflow and cause the outside air temperature reading to be inaccurate.
A Ford wiring kit is available to relocate the Outside Air Temperature sensor to the plow blade frame to provide more accurate outside air temperature readings. Contact an authorized dealer for more information.