Winter is coming!!

Just wondering if anyone plows with their 2.7L? Thinking about putting one on my Reg cab 4x4.

 

How big of an area are you looking to plow? From what I read, plowing greatly shortens transmission life regardless of how powerful the engine is - all the forward and reverse shifting greatly increases the duty cycle on the transmission.

 

Just my driveway, maybe my neighbors driveway. I am more worried about springs and front end components. Anyone have any issues with theirs? I have a manual so I am not really all that worried. I won't be slamming into bankings and quickly shifting from first to reverse and vice versa.

 

Not an issue .... I'm pushing a 7'-6" Sno-Way unit with no issues.
Just be sure to keep it in 4WD low and use common sense.
Plow with the storm, don't let heavy snow pile up (especially the wet stuff) .... Any hard bank slamming, quick forward/reversal shifting will destroy almost any vehicle.

They are very worthy of clearing small driveways and lots.

 

Sounds good man. Thanks for the info.

 

On stock suspension hell no. Run 5100's and eibachs at zero and a full leaf pack in the rear and it will be plenty strong.

 

The suspension isn't what I'd be worried about unless he plans on traveling with the plow or leaving it on all season. Assuming he'll just hook up to the plow when needed and unhook when done, the stock suspension will be fine. I'd be more concerned about CV's, wheel bearings and increased wear on the clutch. Also, I don't see the need for a full leaf pack for plowing.

As far as suspension goes, the 4 banger is actually better off for plowing (talking about suspension only) since it has the same springs as the V6 and less weight on the front end to begin with.

 

Well for the rear will need a weight ballast to even it out and aid in traction.

 

Yeah, but you don't need a leafpack for that. You'll only need a few hundred lbs for short distance plowing. I'm assuming any plow you'd put on a Tacoma would be relatively narrow and possibly even one of those plastic ones to save weight. 2-300 lbs in the bed would be plenty for plowing a driveway.

 

The 2011 we have at work has an "upgraded pack" with some yellow shocks in front on idk springs. Sits high. They put 400 in bed and the plow is a MM3 8' blade. Plows like a champ.

 

I got a 7 foot snow bear on my 08. No prob yet, kind of surprised me how well it pushes snow. Last years big storm we had I had no prob what so ever

 

on stock suspension? If I leave the plow on, it would only be to work and back (16 miles round trip).

 

Stock front no problem for 3a seasons

 

Timbren bump stops work well and will prevent your front end from dropping excessively during the times your plow blade is mounted. I've used them on my earlier 86' trucks.
I'm actually running bone stock suspension currently with my 04' 4-banger with no issues.
Then again my 7'-6" Sno-Way has a plexi-skin instead of steel so weighs a few lbs. less than some.
Matter of fact my bed is usually empty and don't carry the recommended ballast though will haul a #125 lb. snow blower at times.

 

I don't plan on plowing but am hoping and praying we actually get snow like we used to here in WNC, at last in my county, lol...

 

It doesn't need a big ole heavy plow. I think the Tacoma's presence alone is a powerful snow deterrent. My dad had it since '07, I've had it for several months, neither of us have ever had snow block us nor a neighbor, NOT ONCE. All those years in Miami and now in L.A., not one single snow bank to contend with ever!

For doing a couple driveways occasionally it should be just fine. If the plow sags the front a lot and you plan to leave it on long periods you may want some booster springs or airbags. For driving around with it, definitely springs and some stiffer shocks. I don't know if coils will take a set when squished, but I've had leaf springs do it (my '07 Taco and '98 Explorer) from having a heavy trailer on.

The other way to get rid of snow is to swap the big heavy plow for a nice little compass and drive with it on "S" 'till you're warm.

Is it that obvious I don't like being cold?

 

"Winter is coming!!"


LONG LIVE THE NORTH

Summers can last decades and winters a lifetime..

My bad this isn't a Game of Thrones Thread carry on.

 

I think I may look into the sno-way plow. seems like the best app for my little pickup.

 

If you're plowing "dead-ended" driveways where you end up "back-dragging" ....
Sno-Way plows with the down-pressure circuit is tough to beat.
Although my 7'-6" blade weighs less than #300 lbs., it back-drags just as well as some full-sized 8' all-steel units.
It also straight plows cleaner with the DP circuit energized for clearing up areas that may have been previously packed down.

 

how much am I looking at for one of the So-Ways? I looked at some sites but never really got a price. May have to wait til next winter.