I am going to be purchasing a 2004 Ford F-350 King Ranch, with 4x4 Duallies, and Diesel engine. I was wondering what the power take off is used for? What kind of aftermarket accessories could benefit from the power take off?

I have the 2003 F350 4x4 dually 4 door with the 6.0L enginge.  the POWER TAKE OFF was explained to me as it keeps the transmission speed up so that when you slow down and then decide to take off again, you will not loose the momentom that you had.  i guess that you could say that your diesel will respond more like a car.  I do not know of any aftermarket stuff would have anything to do with that, but check out that website, www.thedeiselstop.com everyone says that is the place to check stuff out! Hope you have as much fun with your dually as we do!  Are you getting the limited slip? Jenny NO

I was under the impression that Power Take off was a seperate transmission for aftermarket accessories. I once got towed on a flat bed trailer, and when the driver was loading the car the Power take off was ON. When everything was set and we were ready to go, he turned the power take off OFF. Also the Ford F-350 does not come with power take off, but a power take off provision which means you will need to buy an aftermarket power take off. I am getting everything with this, even limited slip. The only thing I wasn't sure about was the power take off. Right now the rebates are only $1500. I thought around this time of year last year they were more... Hopefully in January they will increase...

The transmission is equipped with a gear on the idler shaft ( a shaft in the transmission that turns all the time.,when it is in neutral it speeds up and slows down with the engine speed) the shaft has a gear on it PTO is a hydraulic pump that is used to operate an accessory like a dump box or a salt spreader or what ever would need hydraulic power for. You saw the tow truck driver turn the PTO on & off this was to operate the lift bed, it has hydraulic cylinders that makes the bed go up and down. What you need to remember is that a one ton truck is used for a lot of other applications than a pick up. Next time you go to your Ford dealer look for a Cab & Chassy truck that is one that doesn't have a bed on it and take a look you should beadle to see where the PTO would go or if they have a dump truck you will able to actually see one look for the hoses coming off the trans. Hope this has been helpful.