Snow plowing setup
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Snow plowing setup
Ok! Now that I have found that my f150 is not sutiable for plowing I am looking for the ultimate plowing setup for driveways and small parking lots. I am looking at a f250 and a jeep cj equipt with a boss plow. Any recommendations/experiences?
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Snow plowing setup
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Nov-02 AT 11:00 AM (EST)]Of the two, assuming both are in good condition, the F-250 seems like a no-brainer. Less portable than the Jeep, but the heavier weight (more traction when pushing heavy snow around) and stronger frame and drivetrain are benefits to snowplowing.
I remember a relative who (long ago) used a V6 Jeepster and a first-generation 302 Bronco to plow snow for a few $$$. Great vehicles for getting into small areas, but they always broke.
I remember a relative who (long ago) used a V6 Jeepster and a first-generation 302 Bronco to plow snow for a few $$$. Great vehicles for getting into small areas, but they always broke.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Summit, NJ
Snow plowing setup
I would say it all depends on your customer base. If you have mostly driveways the jeep is definitely the way to go. I used to plow with a full sized pickup and it can be alot tougher to maneuver around a driveway where my friend can zip in and out with his jeep in no time. If you have mostly lots, then I would think the truck might be the better choice due to the weight/power difference to push more snow.
If I ever plow with my 70', I'll stick strictly to lots because it would be a pain to maneuver this thing in driveways.
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
If I ever plow with my 70', I'll stick strictly to lots because it would be a pain to maneuver this thing in driveways.
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Snow plowing setup
I did a lot of plowing with a 1979 F-350. I would consider part of an ideal setup:
rear sliding window
manual hubs
transmission with granny first (better than having a dual range transfer case because backing up in 4Lo gets old fast)
big block
electric heated mirrors (never had, but, wished for them)
delay wipers
straight front axle
excellent tires
limited slip rear end
rear sliding window
manual hubs
transmission with granny first (better than having a dual range transfer case because backing up in 4Lo gets old fast)
big block
electric heated mirrors (never had, but, wished for them)
delay wipers
straight front axle
excellent tires
limited slip rear end
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: IN FRONT OF YOU
Snow plowing setup
I agree with 1970f2504x4 , currently I run a Western on the front and a rear drag on the back of my 01. Thats an extra 6+ feet of truck on top what you got. A little tricky to get those areas behind a house.
I do mostly lots, the driveways that I do are striaght runs, where I can just back in and drive straight out.
If I were doing only driveways, a jeep is the way to go, just don't beat it to hard and tint the windows so no one knows it's you
I do mostly lots, the driveways that I do are striaght runs, where I can just back in and drive straight out.
If I were doing only driveways, a jeep is the way to go, just don't beat it to hard and tint the windows so no one knows it's you
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Summit, NJ
Snow plowing setup
Yeti,
Yeah, around where I live most of the driveways twist or turn in one direction or another.. making it take longer to plow it out. The few years I plowed I was lucky enough to have a few straight driveways and mostly lots. A friend of mine has about 99% driveways (I think between he and his father they have 65-70 driveways total) and they have been in business a good 25 years. For the majority of that time they used and still use only jeeps. He is an avid Ford truck driver.. but when it comes down to it.. jeep is the only way to go for driveways. Of course his jeep isn't quite stock being lifted, bigger tires, and a hefty V8 to help push that snow... but for speed and accuracy in plowing, the jeep 'does the trick'. I think in their earlier years they did more lots than driveways, so at the time they had a 73 F100 to push snow. I still remember his dad taking us to grammar school in the winter riding in the back (they had a cap) and plowing snow along the way. Ahhh... the memories!!
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
Yeah, around where I live most of the driveways twist or turn in one direction or another.. making it take longer to plow it out. The few years I plowed I was lucky enough to have a few straight driveways and mostly lots. A friend of mine has about 99% driveways (I think between he and his father they have 65-70 driveways total) and they have been in business a good 25 years. For the majority of that time they used and still use only jeeps. He is an avid Ford truck driver.. but when it comes down to it.. jeep is the only way to go for driveways. Of course his jeep isn't quite stock being lifted, bigger tires, and a hefty V8 to help push that snow... but for speed and accuracy in plowing, the jeep 'does the trick'. I think in their earlier years they did more lots than driveways, so at the time they had a 73 F100 to push snow. I still remember his dad taking us to grammar school in the winter riding in the back (they had a cap) and plowing snow along the way. Ahhh... the memories!!
James Kern
1970 F250 4x4
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Snow plowing setup
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Nov-02 AT 00:48 AM (EST)]
im running a 91 f-250 with a boss plow it works a lot better than a
f-150 i think thar just to light to do the job my truck does very well and it has bald tires!!! im only doing drive ways and small lots also.... i think u should go with the f-250 its much more heavy duty for what ur wanting to do
also u would want to go with a auto tranny much easyer to use during plowing
01 sport trac 4x4 black
97 explorer xlt AWD v8 blue
91 f-250 xlt lariat 4x4 blue/gray
84 ranger xlt 4x4 black
94 explorer xlt 4x4 purple/gray
96 explorer limited 4x4 green
im running a 91 f-250 with a boss plow it works a lot better than a
f-150 i think thar just to light to do the job my truck does very well and it has bald tires!!! im only doing drive ways and small lots also.... i think u should go with the f-250 its much more heavy duty for what ur wanting to do
also u would want to go with a auto tranny much easyer to use during plowing
01 sport trac 4x4 black
97 explorer xlt AWD v8 blue
91 f-250 xlt lariat 4x4 blue/gray
84 ranger xlt 4x4 black
94 explorer xlt 4x4 purple/gray
96 explorer limited 4x4 green
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
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From: SW Michigan
Snow plowing setup
where did you get the idea that your F150 is not suitable for plowing snow ? I have heard lots of folks offer the opinion that you need a 3/4 ton to plow, but have no idea where this notion comes from. Most 3/4 and 1/2 ton trucks all run a Dana 44 axle up front anyway, so what is the big deal ? Anyway, the previous posters are right on the money, full size trucks for lot clearing, but the lttle jeep is really great for narrow drivewy work. DF
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Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,484
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From: New Egypt, New Jersey
Snow plowing setup
Hi, 
I've been plowing with my '79 F-150 every year since 1983. I average anywhere from 6-13 hours per storm, and I've never felt it was "unsuitable". My truck has fared just as well as the many "newer" F-250's I've plowed along side of for years. In fact, it has fared better, but only because they don't maintain them properly.
Some people say the same thing about plowing with automatic transmissions. Personally I prefer them.
I've been plowing with my '79 F-150 every year since 1983. I average anywhere from 6-13 hours per storm, and I've never felt it was "unsuitable". My truck has fared just as well as the many "newer" F-250's I've plowed along side of for years. In fact, it has fared better, but only because they don't maintain them properly.
Some people say the same thing about plowing with automatic transmissions. Personally I prefer them.
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From: Northern Massachusetts
Snow plowing setup
Been plowing with my 88 f-150 for years 7 1/2 fisher besides the driveways i've plowed roads for the town as well as a insurance companies parking lot. just made sure i added a trans cooler and beefy coils springs up front, springs only ran me about $100.00
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Snow plowing setup
I have a 94 f150 and according to Ford unless the truck was equipt with the plowing package then it should not be used for plowing. This is a problem with the 92-96 F150s. It seem that some of the frame pieces were undersized. The plow package for my F150 is over 8,000 dollars just for parts alone and includes new frame pieces, springs, shocks and other pieces to numerious to mention. Thanks for all of the input.
F150 trucken
Greg.
F150 trucken
Greg.
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
Snow plowing setup
This year will mark the first that I have ever plowed. I plan on using my 2002 F-250 with a home-made plow setup, inspired by Yeti's setup (through another thread). I made a dry-run on mounting it, but still haven't had a chance to setup the hydraulics. I need to make a run to the hardware store for some nylon cord that I can hook-up to the front of the plow & run the cord back into the cab. May not be as cool as push-button hydraulics, but it should be able to lift & set down my lightweight plow. Then, my plow will be complete!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=10347&.jpg
(more pictures of this setup in my gallery; see the "Winter Follies" album)
I posted this picture & my offer in another thread, but didn't get any offers but... In case any of you guys wants this setup I can sell you a complete kit for only $200. Act fast, and I'll even throw in an extra FREE roll of industrial adhesive fastening compound (aka duct tape)! If you guys put together a group order together, I'll discount even more, as well as give the organizer and FTE a free kit!
In any case, I've known a few guys who do plowing. The trend I've noticed is that guys whose routes have:
- Small driveways = small vehicle (Bronco, Jeep)
- Large driveways/parking lots = full size truck (F-250/F-350)
- XXL driveways the size of some roads, steep climbs with HEAVY snow = F-450+ dually with those really cool directional plows where you can control the shape of your plow and go from a > to a < or stop anywhere in between. Man, that was an awesome rig.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=10347&.jpg
(more pictures of this setup in my gallery; see the "Winter Follies" album)
I posted this picture & my offer in another thread, but didn't get any offers but... In case any of you guys wants this setup I can sell you a complete kit for only $200. Act fast, and I'll even throw in an extra FREE roll of industrial adhesive fastening compound (aka duct tape)! If you guys put together a group order together, I'll discount even more, as well as give the organizer and FTE a free kit!
In any case, I've known a few guys who do plowing. The trend I've noticed is that guys whose routes have:
- Small driveways = small vehicle (Bronco, Jeep)
- Large driveways/parking lots = full size truck (F-250/F-350)
- XXL driveways the size of some roads, steep climbs with HEAVY snow = F-450+ dually with those really cool directional plows where you can control the shape of your plow and go from a > to a < or stop anywhere in between. Man, that was an awesome rig.