Thoughts on a plow truck...... I'm gonna build one

[jeffinmalvern]

Basically I'm looking to start a summer project of building a plow truck, and looking for thoughts. I don't have anthing yet (i'm still plowing with my 82 ford, but i've had enough)

So, I want a truck that will handle a 7.6 foot or 8 foot plow, and a reciever hitch mounted salt spreader. I think a heavy half would be fine. I'd like opinions on the best years, motors, trans, transfer case, and so on for this. This won't be a pretty truck, but I'm looking for something that's good at 4wd, strong, and easy to work on. I think I'd prefer a carb. And It can't be very modified because I have to be able to pass PA inspection and emmissions. So, within the 73-87 theme, what would you suggest?

[Redneckchevy]

Well i would suggest Anything below 87..A 4x4...A 454 Engine.

[Blazin]

Well first off let me welcome you to the site, from New Hampshire!
 Every plow truck I have ever had since 1989 was a 73 to an 86, except my first which was a 61 Willey's Jeep pickup, and in 1998, a 91 8 lug 2500 Silverado, 350, 4LD80E, 271, 3:42s. Real nice truck, plowed good, but did not hold up well in the transmission, & t case area.
 The best plowing truck I ever had was an 84 1/2 ton, 283, SM 456, 208, with 2:73 gears, 7.5' Fisher plow. The high gears worked good because it didn't spin easy. I had to use low range some times but for the most part I used high range and granny gear allot. That being said I still prefer a bigger truck for the axle durability and useage of 8' or bigger plow. My 79 K30 flat bed dump, 350, SM 456, 205, 4:10s, 9' plow worked very well. As does my 86 K30 dump, 454, SM 456, 205, 4:56 gears, 9' plow. The big block and low gears move snow with ease. I am still building an 86 2500 GMC for my main plow rig as plowing with dual wheels and a big dump body is not ideal. But I need them for my 2 yard spreader. The 86 is 350, SM 456, 208, 3:42 gears, 8' plow. I plowed with this same truck for three years a few years back but it got to rusty to use any more. The 3:42s work pretty good, all around gear. I do find myself using granny gear some times with them though. As far as the 208s are concerned I have blown several of them up after a couple years worth of plowing. The same goes for the ten bolt, and Dana 44 front axle joints, & axles. for the most part the Semi floating rear ends have treated me good over the years but have broke a few of them too. My next build for my main plow rig is a 79 K30 single rear wheel pickup. It has a 400, TH 400, with 4:10s. I will most likely be installing a 454 when its rebuilt. Hope this gives you some input, Harold.

[joesgarage71]

 PA emissions that stinks.
 73 and 74 didn't have a cat converters and all that other crap that the smog cops will be looking for. A 14 bolt rear and dana 60 front with 3:73 geared 8 lug axles. A 205 transfur case and a 465 tranny bolted to the back of a good 400 small block. Put new springs on the front for the extra weight of the plow and frame.
 You get your truck almost done, go out and put some bids on plowing contracts. Do some research first. Always good to have at least 2 or 3 jobs to plow when you get your truck done, just so you can have something to tell the old lady when she flips out on how much cash you spent on parts.

[Blazin]

Good point Joesgarage. I forgot about front springs. I Usually replace mine with the 4 leaf version from my local spring shop. The 84 I referred too had a 2 inch lift in it . But some dipstick had put square stock in between the axle, & springs. The front was about an inch higher than the back with this setup! I removed that and put two positive arch rear leaves out of a short bed K10. It dropped the front down a bit and when lifting the plow it only dropped the truck about 1 &1/2 inches. In the 86 I am putting together at present I had a brand new set of 3 leaf front spring packs that I acquired in a deal. I added one positive arch rear spring out a K20, & a 1 & 1/2 block in the rear. I wanted the extra capacity for the plow and a bit of lift too.

[Stewart G Griffin]

If i could interject something:
Coming from someone with absolutely no knowledge of 4X4 or snowplowing, i would suggest, if you are going to be doing any driving in snowy (and therefore salty) conditions, especially with a 73-91, is to completely rhino-line the entire underside of the truck.

[Blazin]

I SEM spray lined the whole bottom of my 86's cab, also the whole floor, & rear wall inside. i also used it for chip guard about 6" up along the whole bottom edge of the cab and bed.

[Stewart G Griffin]

1) What's SEM?


2)We don't get too much snow here in balto/dc.  Thus, you don't see too many serious rustbuckets around here.  But even so, i got lucky with a virtually 100% rust free "jewel" from the south and i want to keep it that way.  So i don't drive in the snow---or even rain.  And i don't think i will be undercoating this one.  But the concept of undercoating would be good to learn about for future vehicles.

[DnStClr]

Stewart- SEM is the name of a paint/coating mfr.
http://www.sem.ws/
Chucks Chevy Pages also has a snowplow site.

[Blazin]

This is the plow site I frequent.
http://www.plowsite.com/index.php

[DnStClr]

that's nice Harold- here's the one I visit--
http://www.gulfshores.com/





 

[Blazin]

Now thats just mean!