Rangers with plows

[SawyerRanger]

Was thinking about this the other day, then I noticed a Ranger in town with a plow on it, so i was just wondering if anyone has attached a plow to their Ranger, or thought about it, and what your opinions are on the 4.0's ability to push snow around.

/discuss

 

[LittleBigFoot]

It's the chassis that can't take the abuse.

 

[snake]

Yep. These trucks are tough, but a plow beats the hell out of them. Not a good idea unless you are done with using it as a DD...

 

[JohnnyO]

It's the chassis that can't take the abuse.

On the '98-up Ford does not recommend using them to plow.
An '84-'97 TTB truck can handle a small plow but I wouldn't use it for anything bigger than a few driveways.

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

On the '98-up Ford does not recommend using them to plow.
An '84-'97 TTB truck can handle a small plow but I wouldn't use it for anything bigger than a few driveways.

According to the user's manual in my 1990, Ford does not recommend the use of snow plows...........Or using the vehicle as an ambulance

 

[marc11]

I noticed this yesterday too, someone drive down my road in a Ranger with a plow and it got me thinking. I have a 400 foot driveway, takes me over 2 hours in deep snow with the snowblower, so I was wondering about sticking a plow on the Ranger too, beats the hell out of clearing AROUND IT!

Guess an ATV may be a better option.

 

[SawyerRanger]

Yeah I think the plow makes a Ranger look even more badass and Ford tough, haha, even if I only would do a few driveways to keep it all nice.

So the chassis is the weak point, is that due to a C channel instead of a boxed frame?

 

[ranger_mclaren]

theres accually a first gen down the road from here with a plow but is been sittin for at least 2 to 3 yrs in the guys side yard just last year he pulled it out and put it back in his driveway. i completly forgot about it because the grass grew over. its still in decent shape too, but its got flat tires and i'm sure the drivetrain is shot.

 

[Mechanickid]

My 88's manual says that plows are optional. They even had a heavy duty suspension option for the front end which included air springs to handle plows.

 

[Jim Oaks]

There's (2) Rangers with plows on eBay right now.

 

[Roadkill]

They won't really be able to handle a decent plow. I have a plow on my 350 (which was made to handle the stresses btw) and it even can have issues with it. You will wear the springs out REAL fast and the extra weight on the front end will wear all those components faster.

Mind you if you live South of where I do and consider 3" of snow lots then giv 'er. Up here we have a few blazers and 1/4 tons with the sissy little plows on them. They can't move anything. The full size 3/4 or 1 tons are the ones that get things done. Well, those and the backhoes and articulated loaders. LOL

 

[aaron47]

i have a snow plow on my 85 ranger,i have no problems.its been on there for about 5 years now.it only had a 2.8 and i had no problems pushing snow.i drove it on the highway with the plow on,no over heating at all ,it does run a little hotter though.THe blade is a six foot .
i plow two or three driveways,the only problem i did find is the added weight on the front,lifts the rear and traction sucks,i had to drive in fwd most of the time ,other than on the highway.but it has a open rear,and a d28 front

 

[blue83ranger]

my '83 (the blue one) has a factory snow plow option kit on it, only it doesn't have the actuall plow or the bracket. It has the front air bags in the middle of the front springs and it use to have 2 inch lift blocks in the rear. With a pretty decent sized radiator that i put in my '86. Before the air bags went bad, if i would air them up it would lift the truck up a few inches.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I had a friend with a GMC Sonoma that had a plow setup on it. It used some type of plastic blade (I don't know, it was clear) and had a battery on the plow frame that worked a ram that applied force down on the plow so it would get down in the snow. The plow was to light to dig down on its own.

Worked really well. He made enough money plowing snow with it to pay for the truck.

 

[marc11]

I had a friend with a GMC Sonoma that had a plow setup on it. It used some type of plastic blade (I don't know, it was clear) and had a battery on the plow frame that worked a ram that applied force down on the plow so it would get down in the snow. The plow was to light to dig down on its own.

Worked really well. He made enough money plowing snow with it to pay for the truck.

Sounds like the "Sno-Way" polycarbonate blade with the downforce set up. They make them for compact trucks, been trying to get some prices.