Putting a snow plow on Ford F150 2WD (2003) - is it a good idea?

Question

Would this work? Would this have enough traction? I am planing to use it just for my driveway, nothing big - not as a professional plower :)
The truck I plan to buy is a Ford F150 2003 extended cab 2 wheel drive (not 4WD - which is why I am asking this question). I live in northwest Ohio (it's flat here) - we get snow, but we are not in a snow belt.

Also, do you know how this truck would handle in the snow (just on the road, without the plow)? Any previous experience (advice) would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Answer 1

it would work for light jobs but the problem your going to face is the weight of the plow is going to raise the weight off of the drive axle. you will need to get some sand bags back there as well as some good all terrian tires. get an automatic trans and if the plow is on the truck do not put it in overdrive or drive above 45 or 50 or invest in a bigger radiator...... you should be ok for the most part. I use to install snow plows for a BOSS dealer.

Answer 2

When I first moved from the 'city' to the 'country' I had to learn about snow plowing. When I bough the house with the 600 foot (but totally flat) driveway I also bought the yard equipment from the old owner which included a plow truck. The truck was a late 60's F-350 (or whatever they called em then). It was 2wd and had a utility box on it with all the boxes and compartments that was all steel so it was fairly heavy. It was a rusty beater that had not been off the property in years so it had tire chains on the back. It had a vintage western 6.5 foot plow on it and I plowed with that the first winter I lived there. Once I got the truck started and the transmission to shift it worked alright. We never got a huge snow that year and I did not have anything to compare to but it seemed to work as long as I was careful what I drove into. Problem was the thing was just too beat to be even remotely reliable so that summer I looked for another truck. I found a good running but rusted out 80 F-150 and hacked the plow onto that. In 2wd with the plow on and nothing in the back you could not even drive it on flat ground because the weight of the plow took too much weight off the back wheels. Luckily this was a 4x4 and a manual so working in 4 low did alright except for the heavy snow later in the season when you had to push hard and fast enough to get it over the bank of old snow. I tried driving on the streets with the plow on and it was just too heavy for that truck and made it sort of unstable and un predictable on the roads. I replaced that truck with a 80 Chev K30 (4wd dually) that had a 8' Leo plow and a 11" dump box on it. That truck you could be stupid and drive into or plow just about anything. Absolutely no comparison to trying to plow with the 150. Since you mention living on a farm I would be looking for some big old truck to use as a year round utility truck around the farm and use that to plow in the winter. Even if you are not farming there is always some work to do on the property that would be easier with a big old 4x4. If you dont have to drive it off the property you can deal with one that maybe has ugly miss matched tires, a little to a lot of rust, and you dont have to license or insure it if you dont want to.

Answer 3

I've drove a snow plow on a F350 4 wheel drive. A plow adds a lot of weight to the front of your truck, which tends to take weight off of the rear wheels by way of a fulcrum action from being in front of the front wheels. I live in Pennsylvania in a climate that is probably similar to Ohio's. We put about 1,000 pounds of weight in the bed to aid the 4 wheel drive system in plowing. I think that a 2 wheel drive truck would have a hard time handling a plow. As far as handling on the road without a plow, I used to have a 4 wheel drive F-150 that I drove in 2 wheel drive most of the time in snow without problems. Personally, I would look for a 4 wheel drive truck to plow with.

Answer 4

Not a good idea
The F 150 is properly set up to plow snow . If you purchase one, you will void the warranty if it is detmined that you used the truck for plowing. Ford is very particular on this. Why a 2WD? go with a 4X4 for a few $$ more. Much better off in the long run. the duper duty's (F 250-350 come with a snowplow prep option)

Answer 5

You should be al right if you use chains and some weight (not alot or it will take more to pull and tires will probley spin) also use a higher gear, not low or 1st, you will have too much torque and tires will spin. the weight of the plow that stays on the truck will make the front end of your truck wear out quicker. p.s. just to let you know I have plowed snow for 15 years.

Answer 6

I own the exact model that you describe. I driven it in the snow on and off road and it handles very well no problem. As far as the plow it should be able to handle it if you use it like you say your going to. You may want to put chains on the tires though. Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

NOT a good idea. Even if it works. Buy a snow blower , protect your investment.

I had a F150 , most folks here in colorado have 4wd. Stopping is ALWAYS a bigger problem than going. Get antilock brakes on all 4 wheels and appropriate tires, studs for winter.

If you want 2wd, check out the limited slip differentials.

Answer 8

might work I plow here in wyoming with a f250 most times I plow in 2wd.If the plow is free yea go ahead if not buy a snow blower.
ase tech

Answer 9

As soon as you drop the plow one rear tire will spin. Only use plows on all wheel drive with locking differentials. Not that some one from Texas should know of such things.

Answer 10

it will work,you may need some extra weight or chains if the snow is heavy( as in wet)other than that it wont give you a problem,i push snow with my lawn tractor