Adding a snow plow with Apex Front Bumper?

And you should have bought a brain.

 

Reported.

 

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and opinions, even those who are against plowing altogether. I would really like to add a plow, but if I have to do a custom mount (big $$ I assume), I might as well just buy a 4 wheeler with a plow or a used kubota. We will see what my options are. I'll definitely talk to that guy @gusher who has one for sale locally, see if it fits without a custom mount. Thanks again everyone.

 

EVERYTHING will need a custom*ized* mount to fit on a lifted truck. No exception. Plows are very sensitive to angles.

Not sure why you think it will be horribly expensive though, it really won't be. Some plow makers sell *universal* mounting kits, which are basically a bunch of pieces of metal in a box that you (or your plow installer) will weld together to fit your truck. For example, an Arctic Standard Universal; http://www.arcticsnowplows.com/sites/default/files/manuals/53043.pdf

If you were going towards Arctic, I would suggest STANDARD DUTY 84". For non-modified Tacoma, they "recommend" light duty 84", and they offer a custom kit for mounting Standard Duty plow to a Light Duty mount, but the light duty mount sits too low to the ground -- I had to cut it up and modify it INTO a standard duty. If I were to do it again, I'd go for standard duty 84" with universal mount, even for a non-lifted Tacoma.

 

So I took the truck to the installer to show him. As mentioned, both the lift and the bumper were a problem. It would have to be custom work, and the installer didn't recommend it given the stability of the mount on the Apex bumper.

 

I could see the lower skid plate-ish thing below your bumper interfering with a plow mount slightly, but I think that could be removed. The bumper itself is well above where the plow would mount to.

 

I have a Western Suburbanite on my Tacoma. It is a light weight plow and works great for just doing my driveway. I believe the mount would come into contact with the lower mounting points on the bumper. Below is a picture of the plow frame mount. Having a two or three inch lift with this type of plow is not a big deal. Sure the lift slightly changes the angles but the mount would not be anywhere near your front suspension.

 

I have had a plow on my lifted Tacoma for five years. It has easily saved me 5-7 thousand dollars and a lot of aggravation. It works perfectly and is easy to install and remove. Automatics are better imo for plowing especially if you have a tow package with the tranny cooler. For doing just my personal driveway it's really really good. Best thing I have bought for the truck, worth every penny.

 

I have a plow on my '12 DCLB. I have ome 886's up front and Dakars in the rear so about 3" of lift. I wanted a steel plow so I had my plow shop do a custom install. They modified a set of Tundra Fisher Minute Mount push plates to fit my tacoma. Price for customization was reasonable ~$200. I have a 7"6" Fisher Minute Mount SD on the truck. I was worried plow would be way to heavy weighing in at 475lbs. Truck handles it no issues. I put it on at about 15k miles now have 155k original ball joints etc. I only plow my driveway ~1000ft and a few family members but I live in a snowy part of the country. Have pushed well over 12" of snow with it. I previously had an 80's GMC 2500 for plowing my driveway...my beater...and maintenance was never ending. FYI my Tacoma with 300lbs in the bed, and a Leer cap only weighs about 300lbs less than the GMC 2500. Take her easy and plow with the storm Tacoma are really impressive little trucks!