Hello, I have a '97 4.6 4x4 that I'd like to put a plow on. I know this is a controversial move, but I'm looking at a fisher MM1 7.5' LD plow for my small driveway only. I've collected a bunch of info from other posts on this topic, but I'd like to know if anyone can give me some advice/instruction on tightening the front torsion suspension- or even if I need to do this. Also, has anyone out there ever done such a plow set-up? Is the fisher MM1 mount even available for this truck? Yes, I'm a total beginner here, so any info is greatly appreciated. "Plowsite" has been non-responsive to my questions so hopefully I can get some help here! Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE John! I am not familiar with plows but I know that what you will hear here is that your truck is not heavy duty enough for a plow. You will have a lot of wear on front end components putting that much strain on it. The only F-150 that is heavy enough is the F-250LD or the 7700. Good luck!

 

I have seen a 97-03 F-150 with a plow on it, the front was really sagged out and it looked horrible. I wouldn't put a plow on any 1/2 ton truck, a good way to ruin the front end components.
If it's just your small driveway, put a plow on a four wheeler you'd be suprised how well it works.

 

A 97 F-150 can carry a commercial plow fine, mine has for years.

I have an 8 foot Arctic plow and the mount fits the frame well. It weighs 688 pounds, no airbags required in the front springs either.

 

I'm doing the same now, I decided to use an older arctic that was on an early pre 90 bronco and modify the frame to fit my 97 truck, today we finally have the front harness attached and will do the bottom plow mount tomorrow, i plan on mounting the pump behind the front cross section and cutting the middle lower chunk of bumper out for top ups and fit around the top support braces

I have the original control box but wanted something that doesn't clutter the seat or dash since i already have a sander control box that sits on the seat

the truck was a $500 investment, complete plow $600 and sander $300 just to do barnyard & driveway lanes, not going to see the road again, i do have a gauge problem and have to have the light dial clicked to on to get gauges, not sure what thats about

here's a few pics up til now (included joystick info incase someones thinking on doing the same)




Arctic Plow





Fresh Paint





Monarch Pump





DIY joystick In dash



relays for diy joystick 12v outputs to replicate DPDT switches



Original Pinouts and switch wiring



First mount



top front tack mounted to small brackets








sander (with temp battery on step)

 

[QUOTE=Charles lakins;15846249]I'm doing the same now, I decided to use an older arctic that was on an early pre 90 bronco and modify the frame to fit my 97 truck, QUOTE]

Charles, I like your modification to put the joystick in the dash, looks pretty good. Its worth note that my 97 mentioned above is still doing commercial plow service this winter in Northern Ontario and it is coming up on its 20th birthday in March! Still looks great too.

 

Thanks a lot , if you have ever removed that cover where its installed you might notice how little room and limited placement there was to accompany the back portion of the stick hardware, it took a bit of fine measurements to get it the first time ,the one drawback is its so close to the key in the on position ,but left still seems to work ok still , the one thing I like is you can rest your hand on the middle of the wheel and reach through to get the controls and it still clears the shifter lever

not sure how to resize the pics they came out so big

 

Tomorrow will be mounting it to the truck and connecting things left
had to do some minor changes to the rear mounts from the older style to fit the 97
it tuned out ok

 

Final Results

had the mic off, so there's no sound

 

For some reason got a double post see below

 

another update on the joystick mod & first plowing after snow






first snow of the year and plowing test





wired to relays

relay test

 

What's this snow you speak of?