1/2 ton plow setup finally done

tryn2lrn · July 7, 2004

Well I finally got the truck back together, the installers had it soooo messed up I just ripped it off and redid most of it. Since I had the whole front end off I bought the factory fog light kit and cut the air dam and installed them as well. The new Meyers mount actually doesn't look that bad IMO.

I am a first timer at pics so I hope this works.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-7/7696...5/dsc00003a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-7/7696...5/DSC00008a.jpg

99silveradoz71 · July 8, 2004

Nice, and like their bumper stickers say, "Let it snow"

snoman · July 8, 2004

I never cared much for meyer plows or mounts. I have plowed for 19 year now and I am very fond of Fisher plows. I own two of them at the moment. Fisher has had a quick clean mount since the early 90's and it hangs down less than any other mount brand I have seen even to this date. Boss mounts are real bad about this. Make sure you run max PSI in front tires when carring a plow and ballasting the rear with about 500lbs will improve handling and performance a lot. I would also install a aux tranny cooler too as plowing can fry a tranny even in the winter in tuff conditions. Yo may have to crank up your torsion bars to a bit since it is a 1/2 or install stiffer bars for better long term sag resistance and a plow can really load front end.

awdvkd · July 8, 2004

Why would you want to plow snow with a 1/2 ton truck. Aren't you afraid you are going to bend the h*ll out of the frame. Not to mention the front end is not built to take that kind of weight. Just wondering. Good luck.

snoman · July 8, 2004

Hopefully you got a light weight plow too ( no bigger than 7 1/2 feet) as GM does use a lighter frame in 1/2 ton than 3/4's and 1 tons. In the old days (pre 88) they used the same frame for 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks.

tryn2lrn · July 10, 2004

Well I only will be plowing my own driveway and the way it's been snowing around here that should only be about 6 times a year. I looked at the 3/4 ton which wasn't that much different (yeah I know bigger rears etc) but the way to go would have been the 2500HD with the bigger frame. That was about an extra 6k similarly equipped plus this is my everyday ride on 90% back BAD PA roads with the 6.0 and 4.10s, basically is extreme overkill for my needs. The 2500HDs did have the bigger better 8' heavy duty plows but again overkill ( my plow fits in front of the truck INSIDE my garage) pop it on in the warm dry garage in 5 minutes and pop it off again if need be. I turned up the t-bars and did get the STL7.5 lighter weight plow and if I take it easy it handles the plow just fine, plus I did get the GM plow prep package and the 7 year GMPP plan. If I have issues I'll just crank the bars a little or install Timbrens. It sure as #ell will beat pulling the deck off and installing the 42" snow blower on the tractor so I can get up early, bundle up and freeze my @$$ off for 2 hours

snoman · July 10, 2004

Well I only will be plowing my own driveway and the way it's been snowing around here that should only be about 6 times a year. I looked at the 3/4 ton which wasn't that much different (yeah I know bigger rears etc) but the way to go would have been the 2500HD with the bigger frame. That was about an extra 6k similarly equipped plus this is my everyday ride on 90% back BAD PA roads with the 6.0 and 4.10s, basically is extreme overkill for my needs. The 2500HDs did have the bigger better 8' heavy duty plows but again overkill ( my plow fits in front of the truck INSIDE my garage) pop it on in the warm dry garage in 5 minutes and pop it off again if need be. I turned up the t-bars and did get the STL7.5 lighter weight plow and if I take it easy it handles the plow just fine, plus I did get the GM plow prep package and the 7 year GMPP plan. If I have issues I'll just crank the bars a little or install Timbrens. It sure as #ell will beat pulling the deck off and installing the 42" snow blower on the tractor so I can get up early, bundle up and freeze my @$$ off for 2 hours

For that use as equiped, you should be okay. I was not try to be hard on you, I was just telling you where it is at. If sag gets to be a problem, I would just install heavier torsion bars. With your planned use it should be fine and never park truck with plow in the air when possible too. It sure beats snow blowing on a cold windy day!

tryn2lrn · July 11, 2004

Yeah I know they are a better truck but to get the one I wanted was lots of $$$. Plus I am beating the snot out of the tractor every year, this really started because I dropped the 54" mower deck on my foot getting it out of the shed this year while putting the snowblower away. If my blazer would have been clean that day I would be driving a 2500HD right now $23500 with the plow. But after I calmed down and thought about it and drove the 2500HD it is just way more than I need. Plus the darn thing didn't even have carpet, they were stripped WT models. With the plow on and the 4.10s I chirped the tires pulling out at every light and could practically see the gas going down.

Quick question by the way do you know if the 3/4 ton t-bars will fit the 1/2 ton trucks? Thanks

snoman · July 11, 2004

Yeah I know they are a better truck but to get the one I wanted was lots of $$$. Plus I am beating the snot out of the tractor every year, this really started because I dropped the 54" mower deck on my foot getting it out of the shed this year while putting the snowblower away. If my blazer would have been clean that day I would be driving a 2500HD right now $23500 with the plow. But after I calmed down and thought about it and drove the 2500HD it is just way more than I need. Plus the darn thing didn't even have carpet, they were stripped WT models. With the plow on and the 4.10s I chirped the tires pulling out at every light and could practically see the gas going down.

Quick question by the way do you know if the 3/4 ton t-bars will fit the 1/2 ton trucks? Thanks

Yes they will fit (the torsion bars). I have a K3500 with optional HD front "bars" and it really rides kinda nasty at time though is just about right when a 8 foot plow is hung off front end. The 2500WT would have made a nice plow truck and my 3500 has no carpet either and I wanted it that way as it is not a daily driver and I really like that for its use. (it does have A/C , tilt wheel and criuse control and such though) It is alway wise to ballast a plow truck in the rear for handling and traction.

tryn2lrn · July 12, 2004

I was thinking about that and trying to come up with a ballast system that was fast, easy and safe. I am not sure for what I am doing I will even really need it. The plow I have is only about 525lbs vs over 800lbs for the one I looked at on the 2500. I might consider the standard 3/4 ton t-bars after I try it out this winter if I have issues. I already cranked up the t-bars about an inch or so and really don't expect the plow to stay mounted on the truck for very long. We shall see how I make out.

jctb · July 12, 2004

I have a Meyer MD II 7 1/2 Ft plow on my 02 Chevy 1/2 ton and have had no problems with the plow or the truck. Just use common sense when plowing or driving around with the plow on and you'll be OK. I did tighten up the torsion bars. I have never added any weight to the back of my trucks when I have plows on. I think added weight would just increase the chance of breaking something while you are plowing. I do agree with those who say if you are going to plow commercially or do a LOT of plowing get a HD 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

Take it easy and have fun !! Let it Snow !!

snoman · July 12, 2004

I have a Meyer MD II 7 1/2 Ft plow on my 02 Chevy 1/2 ton and have had no problems with the plow or the truck. Just use common sense when plowing or driving around with the plow on and you'll be OK. I did tighten up the torsion bars. I have never added any weight to the back of my trucks when I have plows on. I think added weight would just increase the chance of breaking something while you are plowing. I do agree with those who say if you are going to plow commercially or do a LOT of plowing get a HD 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

Take it easy and have fun !! Let it Snow !!

Actually you increase the chance of breaking something without ballast in the back because you force front axle (which is a 8.25 IFS unit, and is not really as strong as 10 bolt in rear and 10 bolts are not noted for their strength either) to do a lot more work than rear axle because there is no weight back there for traction plus it helps CG in handling which is way of in a 1/2 ton with plow on it and no ballast! Not a very wise move at all. It is best to try to keep rear axle doing the majority of pushing when possible.

sonjaab · July 16, 2004

TRYN......Hey Mister !!!!!!!!

Been off line....kids overloaded the 'puter...fixed now!

Your truck will be FINE to plow with ! Ignore the naysayers.............

If your truck wasn't up to plowing..GM wouldn't offer a snowplow prep pkg.

OR a plow installer wouldn't put a plow on your rig !

Your stock torsion bars will be just fine as is !

I have had several 1/2 ton GMs and all plowed happily with a 7/6 Western

setup. We get a average 200 plus inches in my neck of the woods.

Ballast is a good idea to keep the rear down tho. I built a "H" frame outta

2x10s and set it over the rear wheel humps. Then put 10 50lb. tube sands

in it along with a milk crate with chains, wench, jumpers, etc.

Got it strapped down with pull straps to keep it in place. Just in case !

Once you start plowing in that nice WARM rig this winter. You will wonder why

you didn't just use that tractor for summer lawnmowing fun !

Will post my buds 1/2 non Z-71- no plow prep torsion bar codes when I catch

up with him. Trust me you DO have the heavier bars with the plow prep option

and will be ok with your Meyers set up ! If you were running a big Fisher or a

big V plow you would be pushing your trucks limit. BUT I see a LOT of them

running around on many brands of 1/2 tons. Who knows ????????

...............geo

tryn2lrn · July 18, 2004

Hey there, good to see you got the computer all tuned up . Yep just want to get some more hydraulic fluid (as I pulled up the lift arm since they recommend storage in the up position) but when I let it go it blew a lot fluid out the top valve. Guess you are supposed to use the controller to put it in the up position. . I need to make sure the plow fits on well since I redid the whole thing. There were spacers missing and the wrong bolts were in a few places. I reran the wires and cable tied all and just cleaned it all up. The Krylon Fusion paint seems to be holding up well and actually matches the fender flares better than the pictures show. Plus I have the brand new air dam in the box yet, I was able to pull the one they butchered off and after 3 1/2 hours of cleanup and trimming get it to look decent before I painted it. Sprayed on bedliner is done, nerfs are on, and I insttalled keyless entry. So I guess it's time to drive it instead of %$&@ with it. I'll let you know in about 6 months how I make out. The picnic is bit out of range for me, but have a few for me!!