Our Five Favorite Factory Options for Pickups
Quite often pickup truck buyers are in such a rush to get into a new truck that they take what's sitting on the dealer's lot instead of special ordering one with the exact options that fit their lifestyle. The truth is that a properly ordered pickup is more likely to provide greater benefits, save you money and potentially increase its resale value.
This is especially true of heavy-duty pickups that will be used for work and recreation.
Here are our favorite five options that provide pickups with better performance and greater utility value:
Locking Differentials
Manufacturers offer limited-slip or locking differentials as upgrades both as individual options and or as part of bigger option packages. Either will improve a pickup's functionality, as this Eaton G80 does for GM full-size pickups.
Dollar for dollar, there's not a better box to check off on the options list when buying a new truck than a limited-slip or a locking rear differential.
These traction-enhancing options aren't available on all pickup makes or models. But if the new truck you are purchasing does offer one, get it.
Barney Gwozdz, a tech specialist with Eaton, an axle supplier to automakers, said standard clutch-driven limited-slip (anti-spin) differentials are "your base-level traction-aiding device," providing an additional level of traction beyond the standard "open" differential.
Gwozdz said these types of differentials work well in situations where rear driving tires are on the ground, but one is losing some grip when power is being applied, such as at a slippery boat ramp or driving on wet pavement, loose gravel or sandy roads.
The best factory option, however, is a true mechanically locking differential such as the Eaton G80 or any of the electronic-locking differentials offered by GM, Ford, Ram, Toyota and others.
Lockers, whether mechanically or electrically actuated, apply equal power to both wheels, so even if one tire is off the ground, the tire on the opposite side of the axle can still pull you out of trouble whereas a limited-slip will not be of much help.
Prices vary between truckmakers, but typically a limited-slip will add between $300 and $400 to the MSRP. An electronic-locking differential can tack on another $100 to $150, depending on the make or model.
Those prices are hundreds of dollars less than what it would cost to have one of these traction boosters installed after the truck's purchase, which is a good reason to order a pickup with this option.
Many pickup manufacturers include limited-slip and electric-locking differentials as part of some higher trim-level packages, saving you even more money.
Heavy-Duty Electrical
Spending the extra money for a high-output factory alternator or dual alternators for diesels used for commercial work like this setup from Ram ensures there will always be enough reserve electrical power to handle the job without draining the battery(s).
Stock alternators are designed to handle the electrical load of the vehicle they are matched to with a small percentage of cushion built in.
But when running fog lights, driving lights, emergency lights, charging the recreational vehicle trailer battery or using a winch or snow plow come into play, the stock pickup alternator may not be able to handle the load, leading to battery issues.
That's why heavy-duty pickup manufacturers offer battery and alternator upgrades for V-8 gas and diesel engines.
GM 2500/3500s, for example, come standard with a 150-amp alternator. A 220-amp alternator is available for $150 for both gas and diesel engines, while Duramax models can be equipped with a dual alternator setup (150/200-amp) for $380.
Ford Super Duty buyers get the best alternator upgrade bargain: The 200-amp upgrade option on F-250s/F-350s is just $75. Ram charges $100 for its 220-amp upgrade and offers a dual 220-amp setup on diesels for $395.
These are all bargains considering quality high-output aftermarket alternators cost well north of $250 — and installing dual alternators after purchase requires special bracketry, a wiring harness and labor.
But having a high-output alternator is just half the equation: A higher capacity battery (or batteries) is needed to store the juice. So check that option box as well if it's offered.
Just as with locking differentials, Ford, Ram and GM often offer higher-output alternators and bigger batteries with snow-plow prep and other heavy-duty packages, saving you even more money.
Gooseneck/Fifth-Wheel Prep Package
Fifth wheel/gooseneck prep packages are now available for all of the Detroit Three's full-size HD pickup lines, as well as the coming Nissan Titan XD. Getting the subframe, like this one from Ford, and wiring installed at the factory is a far better option than having it done after purchase.
Another HD pickup option worth taking is the fifth-wheel/gooseneck prep package. Although you might not see a need for it at the time of purchase, the option will definitely save you money should there ever be a need to tow a trailer of that type.
Having the subframe hitch assembly and bed already set up from the factory for this type of trailer towing also reaps benefits when reselling or trading in the truck when that time comes.
The typical package price is less than $500 and is now offered by the Detroit Three manufacturers for 2016. (GM added this option to the new HD models this year.)
These packages typically include factory-installed cross-members, the seven-way wiring harness with the plug mounted in the side of the bed on the driver's side for easy hook up, the special subframe to hold the gooseneck trailer ball and an adapter if a fifth-wheel is needed.
Lower Axle Ratio
Optional axle ratios are a good factory option for new truck buyers who plan to add taller tires or who will be doing a lot of trailer towing. Fuel economy loss with "lower" gearing is negligible under those situations.
Most pickup buyers don't pay much attention to the axle ratio, figuring the manufacturer knows best and that what comes standard with the truck is the right ratio.
Vehicle manufacturers choose the axle ratio that best suits the needs of getting the best highway fuel economy. That stock ratio doesn't provide the best acceleration and grade-climbing performance from a towing or hauling perspective, or if taller tires, a suspension upgrade or other changes are in the buyer's long-range game plan.
Spending around $100 for the optional lower (numerically higher) axle ratio is far cheaper than spending five to 10 times that amount to have the axle gears changed after the fact — or just living with a truck that doesn't perform as well as you want.
There is a potential (1-2 mpg) loss of fuel economy at highway speeds with the lower axle ratios because the engine rpm will be slightly higher. So that aspect of the option has to be weighed against better overall towing/hauling performance.
Spray-In Bedliner
Ordering the factory spray-in bedliner doesn't save any money over post-sale installations. But factory installation guarantees the best possible application and warranty coverage.
Another item that makes sense to add to the options list, both practically and economically, is the factory spray-in bedliner.
A spray-in bedliner offers excellent protection against rust, provides a nonskid surface and helps protect the bed from getting beat up.
Although you will not see much, if any, difference in the price between having it done at the factory or applied after purchase (both cost about $500), the factory version will last longer and be of higher quality.
That's because the factory application is done when the bed is perfectly prepped, and the application is done under the most ideal conditions. The factory spray-in bedliner is also covered under the vehicle's warranty.
A factory spray-in bedliner is an excellent option paired with the gooseneck/fifth-wheel prep package.
Checking off these five options when you buy your new truck will add to its utility and overall performance as well as bring added value when the time comes to pass it on to the next owner.
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