front air shocks, plow prep

[RGT]

I just saw in my owner's manual that plow prep'd trucks came with front air shocks. I am working on putting a plow on my truck and was concerned about the added wait, I have about an inch of space between the bump stop and the front end right now. What are good brands to look at? is this a good route to follow? are there independant air bag set ups for the front of these trucks? I was very happy withe the air bags in my 2 wheel drive, but they fit inside the coil springs... thanks for any input.

 

[fox]

In my opinion, shock mounts are not designed to carry weight and are a bad place to put it. Put air bags on it or stiffer springs. Dodge sells them.

 

[Philip]

I do not think the shock mounts will not take the strain like Fox said. On a side note here. I have seen three 1/2 ton Dodge trucks with broken frames threw the left side upper shock mounting hole.



If you only have 1 inch between the rebound bumper and axle. It is time for new springs anyway. With the weight of the plow you will be on the bumpers.

 

[RDBuck]

plows

The air shocks used to be available from Chrysler for $125 each. The shock towers will take the strain with no problem. I have plowed snow with my W250 for the last ten years, both with a 9' and an 8'. The original springs will hold the plow up even though they look as if they willl not but a set of Skyjackers will improve everything. I use a set-up from Diamond which is now Myers. The old plow frames have to be bought as replacement parts (from the factory) as they are illegal to set up new.

 

[GRudy]

Try Timbrens

Another alternative is Timbren load booster springs. They are not actually a spring but are made of hard rubber and install in place of the original rebound bumper. When not under load they clear the axle so the ride is like normal but under load they contact the axle pad and help carry weight. I have them on my 99 dually and love them. Even with out the plow the ride is improved because I no longer have no notorious nose dive that the second gen. rams are noted for. I have seen them as low as $129. 00 but normally run about $149. 00.

 

[RGT]

The Timbrens sound like a good idea, I like the way the truck rides now and don't really want it to be any higher than it is, that is part of my reason for not going the skyjacker route right now

thanks

Roger

 

[GRudy]

The Timbrens don't change ride height at all. Besides less bounce from the front end you won't even know they are there. I run a Boss 9'-2" V-plow on my '99 that weighs in at 975 lbs. and it handles it great. By the way, this is the first year I have plowed with the v plow, I love it! Once you use one and get the hang of all the controls you will never go back to a straight blade. Oo.

 

[RGT]

I have seen the v plows around, I had alsways assumed the only advantage was that when you are driving around you can put it in the V position and less frontage?(not have the whole 9' hanging ou there) can you invert the V when plowing to Catch the snow, that would be an advantage also..... What are the benefits when plowing? I mostly do a parking lot and have thought about getting the add on wings to help hold the snow and have less fall off... .

 

[GRudy]

Go to the Boss web site for more info: http://www.boss-plow.com/

These things are great! You can put them into a full v which is great if you have a steep hill to go up because the plow will cut a path with equal weight on each side. In a parking lot you can put the blade in a scoop to clean up any over runs. I do a large mobile home park and cleaning up the intersections is a breeze. I get to the intersection, put the blades in a scoop, go through and then back to an angled blade without stoping or backing up. The motor and hydraulic unit are completely enclosed so they are not exposed to the elements. The only thing that stays on the truck is the frame mount and the plow mounts up in about 2 minutes if that, just drive in and pull a lever and insert the locking pin. hook up two plugs and you on you way.

 

[RDBuck]

v-plow

Does the V-plow have any problems letting snow slide along the blade when in the angled straight mode? Does the hinge area in the middle impede the snow from moving across the blade? Do you have the steel or poly blade? What was the cost? Looks like about the best rig going.

 

[GRudy]

I do not notice any problems with snow hanging up on the center hinge. I do notice that the v blade does not clean down to the road quite a good as my 8-1/2 ft. western pro plow on my '92 w-350. But the benifits of the multi-posistion far exceed the slight disadvantage of not cutting as clean.

The blade is steel. I do not believe that the poly plows could clean very well since they do not weigh as much but then again I have no pesonal experiance with them so take that comment for what it's worth.



Western, Fisher, Heiniker all make multi posistion plows also but I have looked at them and I do not feel that the mountings and frame work are as strong as the Boss.



The boss will run about $4200 - $4500. 00 installed. Central Parts Warehouse sells them for $3800. 00 but till you pay shipping and then take the time to install it yourself you will have equal or even more money. If you have a dealer install it any problems are thier problem.