I am looking to put a plow on my 04. I found a Fisher off of a 95 toy tacoma. As far as i know Fisher has not offered a steel plow for a ranger in quite some time, They only offer the homesteader(poly blade). Does anyone know if i can use a older(84-97) frame for my 04? Thanks

 

The pre 98 Ranger frames are completely different in the front suspension than 98 and newer frames in addition to slight changes in wheel base lengths over the years. The old suspension was a version of twin I beam and the newer suspension is called SLA for short long arm. The newer frames are not stressed for snow plow operation and the air bag system is not able to be turned off like on some larger Ford Trucks.

 

Just a lil update. I brought the plow and truck in the garage last light. The frame is close but not quite. The truck frame is 31 1/2" wide while the lower plow frame is 30 1/2". So widening the plow frame was in order.

I cut the "ears" off the plow frame that bolted to the truck. I welded on some 1/2" plate as a spacer. I then welded some 1/4x2" angle iron on for the vertical uprights to go to the truck frame. All the factory holes in the truck frame will work. 2x2" pieces of angle will be welded to the inside of the plow frame to bolt to the bottom of the truck frame. I will be able to use the brackets that go back on 45* . I just need to drill holes in the truck frame for these.

I have a little more welding to do, then some paint. While that is drying i have to go to the hardware store and get some hardware and some flat stock to weld to the bolt's heads so i can get them into the boxed frame.

I will post up picks once i get it all welded and painted. I should of taken pics along the way but i didnt even think about it All in all i would say 4 hours worth of fab to modify the 83-97 ranger plow frame to fit the 98-2010 ranger. Not to bad and now i will have asteel plow instead of of that toy plastic subernite

 

"not to bad" but also "not good" another street certified SAE at work.

 

Glad to see you are making it work. As long as your welds are strong it will be fine. I doubt g_k50 has ever done any fab work anyway.

 

I would be more concerned about stress or damage to the ranger than the strength of the fab work. I don't know what a plow set up weighs in at?
I had a winch mounted on mine (06), the winch and mounting assy weighed around 175lbs. Had it on there for a couple years and it didn't seem to hurt anything.

 

I've seen several 98+ Rangers handle plows just fine, it's the amount of snow you're pushing that is the main concern

 

I have done plenty of fab work and I actually am a ASE certified mechanic.

And i will be the ONLY one plowing with the truck. So i know what not to do with it. Besides, i will be plowing my 100' driveway and my moms 50' drive.

The 04 ranger frame is WAY stronger than the 83-91 ranger frames i am used to. But i got to say. the truck frame will bend long before the plow frame.

I am using the Lighter duty SUV uni-mount not the standard duty uni-mount. There is a 148lb difference between the two.

on to the pics
The piece i cut off

Extisting frame hole i used


drivers side

passenger side

front
Fab work

finished

 

Looks great. Any pics with the plow mounted?

 

Havent gotten that far yet. Besides i am missing the relays and my plow side harness plug is FUBAR, so i need to get those. And I got a NEW blade to replace the rotten out blade i have to put on the 'a' frame yet too

 

Is part of that bracket mounting to the holes where the tow hooks attach? Any idea how much the whole thing weighs?

 

Fab work?

I'm lucky I can even spell fabrication, (thanks dictionary.com)

and Work is a four letter word. (thanks Obama)

 

No. The front part bolts to the frame horns and the back pieces bolt to the frame as well. I would say the truck side plow frame weighs about 50lbs

 

Having a plow that i will not have problems with.....PRICELESS
Finally got it on, wired(most of it) and working. I just need to get the truck side headlight harness later tonight. It works nice and smooth. A lil heavy, so i am going to get timbrens and replace the worn out torsion bard w the heaviest ones for offers from a FX4 level II.

All in all it was not to bad of a project. I got more into it than originally planed but i know what i have

"Complete" used plow set up 550
new mulboard........................550
truck side harness.................156
plow side harness..................117
new buyers lights...................200
plow markers...........................24
various harware.......................50
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Having a plow that i will not have problems with.....PRICELESS

 

#1 bars are the stiffest ones offered in Rangers period. My 01 Edge came with it from the factory. They are a nice upgrade if you don't have them

BTW, I love your nomad's. I've thought about getting a set for my truck