Maybe a new vehicle this year

So, we'll be in the market for something new/newer maybe mid-year, and we were almost set on a Ford Explorer.......
Then, my wife suggested getting a pickup and putting a plow on it. Hmmmm
Sure would beat the heck outta' pushing snow with the GT.
It'll be a Ford (ex-employee), so no need for the usual back and forth about brands.
Don't know if we can swing the 250, so it may be a 150 extended or a crew.
Anybody have experience with any of the new motors, like the eco-boost?
Our last pickup, an '03, had a V6 that didn't really have enough power.
Anyway, looking for some input..........fire away.

 

If you are thinking plow, then the 250 is a must. Forget the 150 for plowing, it's too hard on the truck and the frame is too light. If the plow is only going to be used for your own property then a cheap alternative for that is what I did. Old non road worthy 4wd with plow. Cost me about as much as a walk behind snow blower and it is just right for what I wanted to do. No wear and tear on a new(er) vehicle either.

 

F250 4x4 Crew cab with a power stroke. It will be cheap, I promise! New truck prices are nothing short of outrageous!

Buddies and I built a Chevy 2500 high country with a duramax the other day online and we had it over 70k very quickly.

 

That's great Dave! And, your wife came up with that... Don't know anything about Fords, but having the extended cab has been mandatory for my last 3 trucks. Hope the Ford has the rear side doors too... I use em all the time. Good luck with your search... have a ball...

 

Bah...get a Ferrari. Vroom vroom.

 

Not a concern for me, but might be for my wife.

Can I put a plow on it?

The F150 can be had for considerably less, but yeah, it's REAL easy to build your own for BIG money.
Don't think I'll be getting a diesel. I'd like to know about durability on the turbo motors. Found some info that said to expect about 10 years before needing a replacement.

rotti, I've thought about doing that too. We plan to keep the Jeep, but maybe I could swing an older truck that runs and has a functional plow already installed, too. Driveway queen.

 

The other thought is a side-by-side with a plow.

 

And a Ferrari.

 

In Michigan, you might do better with a full sized plow and truck. The UTV will push a plow but the weight of a full sized p/u works much better.........been there, done that.............take my word on that.

 

Yeah, but I want the sidebyside.
Going from the piece of crud I put on the tractor to that would be like night and day. Brother has one and so does a friend. Works much gooder than what I have.
I dunno, still cogitatin'.......it'll likely be a few months.

 

How long is your driveway and how much snow do you get? The cost of new plows is very high. It can be a pain to put the plow on and off depending on how you use the truck. I've seen quite a few trucks overheat with a plow on them. You suddenly have many friends when you have a plow on your truck. You can put a plow on a half ton truck, but they are usually pretty wimpy. It is hard to find a "yard" truck around here that's any good and reasonably priced but it can be done for less than what a new plow costs. I had an old jeep for a while and I like plowing because it was small, but it didn't push snow as well as my truck does.
I have a plow truck and a compact tractor with a plow. I love plowing snow on the tractor with its hydrostatic tranny and tight turning radius, but it can be very cold sitting on it. And! Plow with the storm, don't wait for the 18" of snow to end. It's a lot easier to push 6" of snow.

 

Great points Jack.
If I could find a better plow for the tractor, it might change my thinking.
I got the manual dealio from HD a few years ago, and all the pivot points are worn. I had to replace a small pin about 4 years ago, and with shipping, it was $50.
Jeesh, I only paid $300 for the whole shebang in the first place.
When the tractor is actually running, I don't wait for much snow to fall before I'm out plowing.
Driveway is a U and each leg is about 60-70', I'd guess. There's also a section up alongside the pole barn that I like to plow so I have easy access to the shop and shed.

 

I dunno when it changed, but Ford no longer offers a plow prep package on the 150s...and none of the plow companys offer brackets

 

I now use the $1500 antique plow truck to move the bulk of the snow, loving the warm and dry cab. I then do the tight clean up and stacking with the tractor. These old plow trucks come up from time to time. Summer time is the best time to discover them. I picked this one up @ a auction last june from the original owner. It ain't pretty or road worthy but mechanically good and pushes snow like a D-3 Cat........

 

The most plow available for a 150 now is a consumer grade, which is light duty and extremely over priced for what you get. A bare bones HD plow which fits 3/4 ton and heavier starts @ about 4 grand up here. you can spend upwards of 8 grand for all the bells and whistles. Couple that to your 40 or 50 grand truck and you better want to plow a lot of snow. I'll take the 1500 dollar route any day.

 

See Dodge advertising 72 month - 0 % on TV today................

 

Good info.
rotti, I remember when you posted about that truck.
Something like that would be ideal.
There's quite a few guys on here who've done similar. We need to get the septic thing taken care of, then we'll get serious, but I like to be prepared.