Adding a snow plow with Apex Front Bumper?

Hi all-

I want to add a plow to my Tacoma. Just curious if anyone can tell me whether that means I'll have to remove my aftermarket All Pro Apex Front Bumper, and/or if an Icon Stage 2 Lift will affect what kind of plow I can get. I don't need anything heavy duty, just for doing my driveway.

I've attached a picture, I just don't know enough about how a plow hooks up/ operates to know if this will work. Any insight is appreciated!

 

I think a snow plow for our trucks is a bad idea... just me though, heard our frames aren't very good for that abuse... just what I've heard, now for occasional use I'm fairly sure you'll be ok, but there is a reason people use diesels and high powered v8's for that.

 

you need a full size for a snow plow or you're going to kill your truck..

(you're going to kill a full size with a plow as well but it will handle it longer)

 

Maybe look into the hitch mounted plow? They can be used on the back or you could add a 2" receiver to the front bumper. I would add reinforcement brackets and more though.

 

Thought about doing it myself. Ended up with a used can am outlander and the alpine flex plow. Got an 800 XTP so I can plow and have fun year round. And if I get it stuck I can use the truck to pull it out. If the truck is stuck, gotta get a neighbor with a tractor.

 

Have you had any issues plowing snow with your truck?

I plowed all last winter and not a single issue. The truck's frame is fairly stout based on what I've hit. I've done an alignment recently and the numbers are still good so that tells me the frame is fine.

 

Most plows have frame brackets that extend below the stock plastic bumper. You can probably find one that will fit with the AP bumper, but it will defeat the purpose of having the high-clearance AP bumper.

The plow will weight about as much as the AP bumper, so your front end will sag ~1". So you would have to adjust the Icon coilovers to restore ride height (then bring it back down when winter is over).

Commercial plowing tends to kill transmissions before anything else due to the repeated forward-reverse shifting. Doing your driveway should be fine.

 

veering off thread a bit, I want to put a snowdogg snowplow on my 2016 tacoma sr5, 4x4 DCLB. The installer wants to install a 2 inch lift consisting of a rubber puck, to level out truck. Is there a better way to add front suspension? Or is this acceptable?
I plow only my 120 yard long hilly driveway.
Thanks

 

The Snowdogg plow for your Tacoma weight 380lbs. That's about the same weight as my plow that I'm using on my 2012 Tacoma. I have the 2016 struts in my 12 and the plow brings down the front to an acceptable level. I'd try it first before you do anything to the suspension.

 

Just throwing this out there. If thats your daily driver, I wouldnt hook a plow up to it. They are hard on full size trucks. If by chance you strike something it will transfer that impact directly to the frame. If this is more of a fun truck and youre not worried about it, then thats different.

 

The problem you are going to have, is that there is NO snow plow mount that is compatible with your LIFT. The bumper is fine, but the lift is not. If you want to install a plow to it, WHICH DESPITE THOSE GUYS WHO SUGGEST OTHERWISE is a GOOD idea, you will need to get a plow mount custom made for it.

 

People use fatmobiles for it because typically those companies doing plowing in the winter do LANDSCAPING in the summer, which means big 8 foot beds. Smaller trucks plow **BETTER** than big ones. You don't need nearly as much power to push a narrower plow. Tacoma matches with a 7 foot plow, those big DRW monsters usually need 9 foot.

And contrary to popular belief, Tacoma actually has an incredibly solid frame. Want to see a flimsy frame? Look at JEEPS, or anything made by GM, and how many people plow with those without any problem. Ok, the GMs do break their frames when the UCA pulls out of the tinfoil frame.

 

Nonsense.
You kill a truck by being stupid with it, not by putting it to work. I've plowed with smaller trucks for years. The only thing I suggest, is stick to manual transmissions.

 

Don't. The plow kits are designed to match up to STOCK front suspension. If you lift it, then the a-arm on the plow will angle down towards the plow, and the whole thing won't work right.

 

^^^ Sounds like someone who has never plowed!
If you strike something, the blade will trip.

 

The OP asked for opinions, i gave mine. i would use an old full size junk truck for plowing; not my prized taco, but that's just me.

 

So you bought a TRUCK to... NOT WORK?
You probably should have bought a prius.

 

He gave his opinion, that's that, take it or leave it alone.

 

not using a truck for plowing means i don't use it for work?
I haul what i need back to the house and needed 4wheel for the winters.

hahaha you probably should have bought a muzzle.

 

Wow guys, calm down

Are you looking to buy @gusher plow? If you are he's a super nice guy. I'm sure he would let you look at how it all mounts up to make sure it would work for you before you laid down any $$$