Plowing Snow?

[Bernie]

A friend of mine is looking at a used 3rd gen Dodge and is leaning towards a CTD over the Hemi (for obvious reasons).



He plows snow, so he is curios if there is anything in particular he needs to know about the 2003, 2004, or 2005 CTD when it comes to plowing snow? Any thing to look for? Avoid?



He is leaning towards an Auto, but he is not scared of a stick. I advised him to go for an HO so he would have a stronger transmission either way.



Any other advice?

 

[JDiepstra]

I have a 9'2" Vplow on mine and with the Cummins, it is way over the advertised front axle max.



In two year the problems I have had are the engine mounted fuel pump died on me, leaving me stranded on the side of the highway during a snowstorm (covered by warranty, no charge), and the TPS/APPS (whatever its called nowadays) crapped out (not covered, approx $700).

 

[ABorgardt]

i had an 8'6" western ultra-mount on both my 03 hemi and my 06 ctd. both automatics. plowed the same as far as im concerned. just whach it when the turbo spools, might spin it around.

 

[JNasty]

If it's a lot of plowin I'd lean towards the auto. I find the 6 spd a little tiresome to plow with. I don't like the location of reverse and it can get a little hoppy while backing up.

 

[Hincka]

I've had an 04 hemi and my 06 ctd. Both had the same 8' boss superduty on them. They both have their own strong points. The ctd moves snow easier, and can stay in and push a bank back easier. The hemi can plow a little faster, esp when having to back up alot because it has more revs to use. I didn't have too many problems with either. With the 04 I had a front axle u-joint go, and I needed new ball joints on the 06.