My neighbor has one,a 2000 2wd 8ft box reg cab,it is a work truck for him,and it sure does squat down with a load of wood,I think he shouldve got a 3/4 ton american truck.It also has about 20 dents in it,since any time you even sneeze by a body panel it dents,they are paper thin.I think the drivetrain is solid,but it needs to have amore substantial body to hold up to real work,or an aftermarket flat bed.As for plowing,you'd ahve to check the front axle weight rating and call around and see if anyuone makes a plow for it.