Snow Plow thoughts...
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 113
From: Mandan, ND
Snow Plow thoughts...
OK, so the '86 is in the shop waiting for a diagnosis. The damn body is so rusty it has me thinking, "should I swap the plow hardware out to a different truck"?
Here is the question. What are your opinions (all thoughts welcome) on getting a regular cab/long box with a manual (4 or 5 speed) and either a 4.9 or 5.0; or a supercab/short box with a auto and a 5.8 to have behind a 7.5' snow plow?
I am thinking the manual is better? 4.9 better for plowing than a V8 (torque)?
I found a couple options on Craigslist and local ad boards, and am wondering if I should put a bunch more money in a rust bucket (can see through floor boards) but end up with a known quantity. Or get a less rusty, better running truck, but have to transfer the plow and perhaps run through some of the same issues again.
Thanks all!
Chris
Here is the question. What are your opinions (all thoughts welcome) on getting a regular cab/long box with a manual (4 or 5 speed) and either a 4.9 or 5.0; or a supercab/short box with a auto and a 5.8 to have behind a 7.5' snow plow?
I am thinking the manual is better? 4.9 better for plowing than a V8 (torque)?
I found a couple options on Craigslist and local ad boards, and am wondering if I should put a bunch more money in a rust bucket (can see through floor boards) but end up with a known quantity. Or get a less rusty, better running truck, but have to transfer the plow and perhaps run through some of the same issues again.
Thanks all!
Chris
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
A 4.9 with a 5-speed would probably be a good choice for you. A 351 is also nice, but it eats more fuel. The 4.9 will have plenty enough torque, and it will burn the least gas while plowing and while sitting keeping yourself warm. Plus the 4.9 is known to be very reliable into high miles. I wouldn't go with a 5.0 if I were you because it lacks low end torque, and will burn slightly more fuel than a 4.9 I6.
Regular cab and long box, or super cab and short box is a person preference decision. Of those two, I prefer regular cab and long box because I like the bed space, and a regular cab gets nice and toasty in the winter with less space to heat (& lose heat).
Regular cab and long box, or super cab and short box is a person preference decision. Of those two, I prefer regular cab and long box because I like the bed space, and a regular cab gets nice and toasty in the winter with less space to heat (& lose heat).
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: North Reading Mass
A contractor friend used F250s with the 4.9/C6. He claimed that was the best gas set up for plowing parking lots. All 5 trucks still had the originial transmissions and engines after 150k and were retired for rust issues. While I usually prefer a manual it could be a real pain if your doing a lot of backing or some one else is driving the truck. In my limited experiance plowing, U joints tend to fail more often on manual plow trucks.
regards
rikard
regards
rikard
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 1
one thing i would speculate about a manual is you would have less tendency to shift the trans while you are moving, and usually with a plow if you clutch in the resistance from snow stops you fairly quick. it seems around here (and i have done it myself a few times) people are shifting while they are moving, which is bad for transmissions, and most people seem to do it on automatics more than manuals, so that is a food for thought
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 113
From: Mandan, ND
Thanks for the thoughts guys!
I found a couple of nice options so will see where it goes with the old one (86).
I am going to have to call Meyer snow plows to see if the plow will transfer to a F250 of similar vintage. Would not think so, but you never know.
I found a couple of nice options so will see where it goes with the old one (86).
I am going to have to call Meyer snow plows to see if the plow will transfer to a F250 of similar vintage. Would not think so, but you never know.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 1
another thing, if you got one with a 4 speed with that granny low first, that would be a real snow mover. also i would get one that is pre airbag, so you dont hit a bank too hard and set the bag off. otherwise the 5 speed in 4 low would be about the same as the 4 speed in 1st
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
Auto transmission all the way. I've done quite a bit of plowing (residences, roads, parking lots, etc) with both autos and manuals, and the auto is definitely the way to go. For a 7.5' plow, engine size won't matter. Find a 250 if you can, any good welder can switch the old plow over to the new truck, and a 3/4 ton handles the weight much better.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
While the 4.9 FEELS torque-y, someone once posted factory dyno results from the 4.9 and 5.0. The 5.0 had more torque at every speed throughout the torque curve.
But that's irrelevant anyway when it comes to plowing snow. You'll lose traction and spin tires before you run out of power to push a pile of snow. Shifting an automatic is enough of a pain the rear--I sure wouldn't want to work a clutch, too. You just have to discipline yourself to come to a complete stop before you shift the auto tranny.
Jason
But that's irrelevant anyway when it comes to plowing snow. You'll lose traction and spin tires before you run out of power to push a pile of snow. Shifting an automatic is enough of a pain the rear--I sure wouldn't want to work a clutch, too. You just have to discipline yourself to come to a complete stop before you shift the auto tranny.
Jason
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 1
While the 4.9 FEELS torque-y, someone once posted factory dyno results from the 4.9 and 5.0. The 5.0 had more torque at every speed throughout the torque curve.
But that's irrelevant anyway when it comes to plowing snow. You'll lose traction and spin tires before you run out of power to push a pile of snow. Shifting an automatic is enough of a pain the rear--I sure wouldn't want to work a clutch, too. You just have to discipline yourself to come to a complete stop before you shift the auto tranny.
Jason
But that's irrelevant anyway when it comes to plowing snow. You'll lose traction and spin tires before you run out of power to push a pile of snow. Shifting an automatic is enough of a pain the rear--I sure wouldn't want to work a clutch, too. You just have to discipline yourself to come to a complete stop before you shift the auto tranny.
Jason
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 1
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
I agree with these guys on the fact that life would be much easier plowing with an automatic. I'd go for a truck with a C6 if I were you.
Also, you shouldn't have too much issue switching the plow over. The trucks are similar.
And as these guys have said, you would be better off with an F250 because it'll handle the plow weight better. Plus you get to sit a couple inches higher, haha
Also, you shouldn't have too much issue switching the plow over. The trucks are similar.
And as these guys have said, you would be better off with an F250 because it'll handle the plow weight better. Plus you get to sit a couple inches higher, haha
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Hawthorne, NJ
Also the f150 frame is not the same as a f250/350. I have a Meyer's poly plow on my 90 Bronco with a 5.0 and a 5 spd. It plows nice for me as I use the low gears when plowing. Not very concerned about how fast I plow the snow so with 2nd gear low it does a marvelous job. I did add F250 front springs to my bronco to help with the extra weight. If you go with a steel blade you need to start with a F250 or an f150 with the f250 springs...
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 113
From: Mandan, ND
Also the f150 frame is not the same as a f250/350. I have a Meyer's poly plow on my 90 Bronco with a 5.0 and a 5 spd. It plows nice for me as I use the low gears when plowing. Not very concerned about how fast I plow the snow so with 2nd gear low it does a marvelous job. I did add F250 front springs to my bronco to help with the extra weight. If you go with a steel blade you need to start with a F250 or an f150 with the f250 springs...
Right now the '86 is a 4 speed/5.0 and it seems to work OK for our plowing. L seems too low and 2nd (1st?) a little too high. Thinking a 5 speed might have a better combo.
We have about 1/2 mile of private road to clean out, plus our drive and the neighbors drive. It is a pain to shift, but most of the time is spent going forward along the road. It is not like doing parking lots (I have done plenty of those with different trucks). Our road plowing is pretty easy...
Good to know about the 250 frame being different. I suspected as much. Probably will stick to a 150.