[murphy4trees]

It's been a while since I have posted or been on plowsite... Hope you all are well, and have a safe and profitable winter season....

We haven't had a significant snow yet this year... I usually do 60-70 driveways and even though I lost 18 driveways from last year, the phone has been ringing off the hook. At last count the list was up to 119 driveways in additionm to the 10 or eleven small parking lots we always do)... I work with a fairly releiable sub with a pick up and salt spreader. I own an 87 Ram Charger (2 door w 318), and an 88 Ram Charger, which is in the shop now for some major repairs, manifold gaskets, high pressure power steering hose and rear differential. I bought it last year as a back up and only plowed once with it. These are great trucks for tight driveways which I have plenty of.

Then there is an 87 Dodge 250 pick up... that is a decent truck, it needs a starter, battery and power steering belt now which is no big deal. It is mostly just a back up truck for the parking lots, cause the tight driveways are difficult in a pick up. I had another friend who is a great driver helping last year with his blazer, but he doesn't own it anymore. So he'll have to drive one of my trucks.

I have a 94 f150 4x4 extended cab with a 7' bed, that I could put a plow on. That will be nice to have a plow on cause it is a pretty good truck, better than the Dodge 250. And I still need another decent SUV or short bed pick up for the driveways...

I do own a '97 Mercury Mountaineer ( like an explorer) It's a decent truck... has the big V-8 with the low gear ratio. I use it to tow a 4,000 lb trailer. It is all wheel full time, so there is no 4-low. I AM just wondering if anyone here has plowed with an AWD moutaineer or an explorerer. I wouldn't want to beat it to death should we get a heavy snow. I live outside philadelphia, so we don't get monster storms regularly, but they do occasionally happen.

I feel pretty good about the power of this truck, because of the engine and gear ratio, though I'd still would perfer to be able to shift into 4-low, when needed. Also if you think the Mountaineer would make a good plow truck, what size blade should be used and any recommendations for the plow. I have all myers systems right now, though if I went with someting new, I would lean towards a fisher. I could also find a western dealer in this area.

Thanks for you thoughts and suggestions.

 

[OneBadDodge06]

If you have just small residential lots I think you could stick with yer mercury but a 1/2 ton pickup will do what you want as well. 4-lo isn't really a necessity, I think I've only used it once just to see what it would do....and I hated it. The plow brand itself is up to you. Snow way has down pressure which gets alot of hype.....but its all in what you like.

Just a few things to remember is if they are available at 3 am to work on stuff in case of a breakdown, if they keep a healthy stock of parts on hand, and how they treat you in your initial visit.

But I wouldn't go anything bigger than a 7.5 footer on either.

 

[91AK250]

if your gonna plow with a mounty or X you have the best combo, the 5.0 is the stoutest drivetrain in those trucks, goodluck!

 

[04superduty]

i dont think that i would try it with the AWD. WIth my wifes AWD 2000 explorer you can lock it into 4wd Hi or Lo which does not allow any slip front to rear. with her explorer it senses the rear spinning and lock the front in for a few seconds or until their is no longer any slipage. if yours is a true awd you could end up buring up the clutch pack that allows the front and rear to travel at different speeds.

 

[murphy4trees]

OK,
Thanks for the repsonses..

I need this truck to pull my stump grinder and that needs to be reliable. I'd rather not beat it up plowing... So based on the last comment and a quick look at the ford section on plowsite, I will not pursue putting a plow on this truck, though I did ask my dealer to check to see if myers makes one... I'll either get a plow for the 94 F-150 or pick up another SUV of some kind (NOT A JEEP). I do have a 90 or 91 Bronco with a newer myers plow set up... The tranny blew in the middle of a snow storm and I had a used tranny put in.. it ran fine, but I never washed the salt out from under the truck and it rusted out completely. So maybe I'll find a Bronco and swith the plow over. My friend also has a Chevy blazer, maybe early 90's that blew up both differentials. I could get the plow frame, lights and wiring from that probably. I have extra pumps and blades.

I also wouldn't mind finding some good subs and just keep building the list.

Thanks