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Best truck to put a plow on?

9.8K views 50 replies 29 participants last post by  snowpushn420  
#1 ·
OK, don't want to start a feud here but what is everyone's opinion on the best truck to put a snow plow on- which front end/frame holds up the best mainly is what I am wondering. Looks like most manufacturers are going with independent front suspension, (3/4 ton and less anyway) would rather have a solid axle set up for a plow I think, what does everyone else think?
Thanks
 
#2 ·
I see alot of GM 2500HD reg cab 6.0 with plows and nobody seems to have that big of problems...
 
#4 ·
Any properly equipped 2500/3500.
A truck with a solid front axle will be a better platform than a truck with ifs.
 
#5 ·
Listen to SnoFarmer....he has wisdom well beyond his years....;)
 
#7 ·
I guess I am just concerned about buying a new truck with independent front suspension then having it bottomed out/having no suspension with the plow on the main thing. Then if you put aftermarket parts on to compensate for weight of the plow, when you take it off in the summer it drives like a lumber wagon...
 
#8 ·
SnoFarmer;438709 said:
Any properly equipped 2500/3500.
A truck with a solid front axle will be a better platform than a truck with ifs.
There's the answer. The only two are Fords and Dodge.
 
#10 ·
cog-1;438727 said:
I guess I am just concerned about buying a new truck with independent front suspension then having it bottomed out/having no suspension with the plow on the main thing. Then if you put aftermarket parts on to compensate for weight of the plow, when you take it off in the summer it drives like a lumber wagon...
I put in a set of timbrens on my Dodges. When the plow is off there is an inch or two between them and the axle. You will not even know there when the plow is off.
I'm using a BossV and there a heavy plow. You can get away with out them but there nice to have.

You are right about the ifs, you ether need to crank up the t-bars and they ride on the timbrens all of the time.

08 3/4 4x4 Dodge with ifs?? If it's true, you'll find me crying:crying:in my beer!
 
#13 ·
SnoFarmer;438741 said:
I put in a set of timbrens on my Dodges. When the plow is off there is an inch or two between them and the axle. You will not even know there when the plow is off.
I'm using a BossV and there a heavy plow. You can get away with out them but there nice to have.

You are right about the ifs, you ether need to crank up the t-bars and they ride on the timbrens all of the time.

08 3/4 4x4 Dodge with ifs?? If it's true, you'll find me crying:crying:in my beer!
Here. :drinkup:

It's a double wishbone IFS with a coil-over shock deal.
 
#16 ·
Ford and Dodge both have solid front axles under the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. GM still has the IFS. On my 2500HD I run Timbrens and have the TBars adjusted. That is for the larger tires though. The ride is just a touch stiffer then factory with the Timbrens but I actually like the ride with them on the more I drive the truck. Its no where near a lumber wagon.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I just went to Dodge.com and took a look around.
Their new site is a little confusing.
I think the IFS is for the 2x4?
The pic of the ifs on there site has only 5 lugs which leads me to believe it is for the 1500 2x4 or the 4x4?

They list the live axle for the front and rear on the 2500.
This leads me to believe it is still a solid axle up front.
Here is a pic of a 08 2500, it looks like the D60 to me.
 
#20 ·
Personally, I definitely agree with the solid front axle being better, and esPECially the 3/4 to 1 ton is preferable, but what is more important than this, is the need for a frame under it. The HD's are a much better candidate for this, and trucks like the older Chevies (pre 1988) are much better. These newer trucks (like my '89) do'nt have nearly the frame strength as these older trucks...especially for running a V-blade. These new frames fold like accordions.
 
#21 ·
The 99 -04 Ford superdutys had leaf spring with solid front axles and the 05-08 have coil springs with a solid front axle. The coil springs raise the g.v.w. on the front suspension over the leaf springs and a much smoother ride with coils.
 
#22 ·
What are you going to plow?

Interstates ... 30k or bigger
medium parking lots small dump or PU 3/4 or 1 ton
driveways Jeep
 
#24 ·
Snowpower;438746 said:
Dodge doesn't have a solid front axle. Even on their 4500 and 5500 chassis cab its a beam deal with IFS.

I dont think any truck has a solid front anymore short of something above 25,000 gvwr

Edit....welp, a couple other guys said basically the same thing.
My 06 is a solid front axle / coil over suspension so is the 08 Dodge 3/4 ton I just looked at.
 
#25 ·
Here is my honest opinion: drumroll please. . . . . .


The best truck to put a plow on (if someone else's is not available) is a truck that is paid for and you can live without if it breaks. I have owned and still do own each of the 3 major varieties of trucks and they will all break sooner or later. New or old. So make it one you can afford to fix. A truck that doesn't owe you anything!
 
#26 · (Edited)
Snowpower;438746 said:
Dodge doesn't have a solid front axle. Even on their 4500 and 5500 chassis cab its a beam deal with IFS.

I dont think any truck has a solid front anymore short of something above 25,000 gvwr
Only on the two wheel drives. The four wheel drive is a solid axle. Gm is the only 3/4 and 1 Ton IFS 4x4. I think the best truck to plow with would be a Ford LCF or other cab-over with a little dump body. If only they were 4x4. The visability has to be awsome!