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2slow2go
Dodge Dakota
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9/12/2003
09:51:56
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 Subject: RE: Snow Plow
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Well I've been looking for some months now, and Snow Bear plows is definately the cheapest out there? I've looked for used, but it seems my truck is too new to find a used plow.
Friend of mine has snow bear on his Jeep. He plows about 15 houses on his street, and has yet to have a problem.
For me, now the light weight is what I need because a have a long driveway that is completely gravel stone. So down pressure is something I don't want.
Anyways, I'm probably gonna order my plow in the next couple of weeks from snow bear, I'll let you guys know how it works out.
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Ray
Dodge Dakota
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10/06/2003
12:28:15
| RE: Snow Plow
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I sold my Dak and got a bigger truck. I couldn't find anyone who would mount a plow on the Dak. They all said it would kill it. I believe 'em. The front ends on these things don't need much help to fall apart. They do it pretty much on their own from my experience.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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10/06/2003
16:04:53
| RE: Snow Plow
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That isn't my experience. The Dakota front ends are rated for more weight than the half ton Ram. Been plowing mine for three years now with no problems.
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NiTi
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2003
12:47:41
| RE: Snow Plow
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Bought my dak to put a plow on. It has the power and the front end can take the weight but not to travel over the road with. At least that is what the tech and the local dealership tells me. The guys at the local plow shop are going to put on a Western LSX 7'2" the first week of November. It's not cheap, but it's made to meet the needs of 1/2 ton dodge and ford owners and it's the only plow these guys will put on a dak (beyond a light duty unit). Also, Western's uni-mount system makes it a snap to hook or drop. If you're looking for a plow and have a Western dealer local, give it a look. Good or bad, I'll post again after a few snow falls...
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2003
16:45:17
| RE: Snow Plow
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Fisher light and regular duty plows are availabe for many Daks too; and Fisher just came out with a lighter plow called the "homesteader" that only weighs about 250 lbs. You should be happy with your Western though, its a major brand and Daks plow well.
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NiTi
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2004
19:56:53
| RE: Snow Plow
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Winter is over and the Western LSX plow was a pleasure. No trouble with the dak, it did what I needed it to. If there is anything negative to mention, it is that you really need a level place to drop the plow. The alignment to hook back up is not very forgiving. It is a snap to drop and hook up, but you need to be right on the money with the alignment. No regrets, love the truck and the plow!
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richard desro
Dodge Dakota
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11/02/2004
18:59:43
| RE: Snow Plow
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First off, I need to say this site is the best!! Tomorrow at 08:00hrs both my 99 dodge dakota v6 and myself will be at Curtis tractor cab in Worcester Massachusetts. I am having a "home-pro" 7' plow installed on my dakota. They tell me I will not need to adjust my suspension or add to the suspension.
This Home-pro plow is 7' wide and 24" high, it is made up of a steel frame and 3/16 poly blade skin, even the cutting edge is poly.
They tell me this is going to be a durable blade and it really clears the snow of the tough New England weather we have here.
I have checked with other owners and they have explained to me this plow is out-standing and will not squat the front end of the truck.
The plows weight is 460lbs and clears a path like a 7 to 800 lb fisher. well not really but, it is great for home driveways and our "dodge dakota fans.
The web site is: www.curtiscab.com
have fun and be safe!!
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Kowalski
GenIII
11/03/2004
17:11:44
| RE: Snow Plow
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I've plowed with both light and regular duty plows - a light plow will never clean up as well as a heavier one, regardless of brand, but they can have other advantages - easier to carry over the road, and won't dig into unfrozen ground as bad. You might find you'll want to stiffen your front suspension by simply cranking up the torsion bars a bit ( I cranked mine up for 2" unloaded lift, alignment recomended ). Enjoy your new plow !
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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RICHARD DESRO
Dodge Dakota
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11/03/2004
19:14:55
| RE: Snow Plow
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well, thought i was going to be able to let everyone know how the truck holds the plow, the truck is at the "Curtis Dealer" until tomorrow, they needed to keep it into the afternoon and i was unable to pick it up.
looked at the plow, very impressive! as i stated in the earlier message, it is not the lightest plow out there, but it has some weight to it, hope it plows to the ground.
still sorry to see my 3/4 ton chevy with the 8' fisher FORSALE but, it is a 1978 and plowed the big one when it was new.
anyways can't wait to pick it up in the am.
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RICHARD DESRO
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2004
15:26:52
| RE: Snow Plow
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Well, I pick up the Curtis snow plow with my 1999 regular cab Dakota. Wow, did it do the squat, they said this is fine, but I was not sure of that. I bottomed out on one of our rougher roads and over some dipping roads I could feel the suspension hit the end. hmm I am not sure of this one! hope i didn't through my money away!!
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Kowalski
GenIII
11/04/2004
17:02:02
|  RE: Snow Plow
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I thought you might need to crank up the torsion bars if the weight you claimed was acccurate. Mine have been cranked up for 4 years with no adverse effects, still on original ball joints.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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RICHARD DESRO
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2004
21:47:48
| RE: Snow Plow
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Message:
ok, i will try that, thanks
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Figols
Dodge Dakota
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11/05/2004
09:41:26
| RE: Snow Plow
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Kowalski, I have a Sno-way 7.5 ft steel plow on my '00 QC. It does squat a little with it mounted, but it is really easy to take on and off so I only have it mounted when I need it. In anycase, I was wondering about your torsion bar adjustment. Do you keep them cranked up just for the winter months or do you leave them cranked all year long. Did it make the ride much harsher?
Also, I think in the past you've mentioned that you've removed your mechanical fan. Do you have a problem with engine cooling while driving with the plow up? Last year I still had my mechanical fan on and my temp would be high enough to kick the electric fan on. Sometimes even while plowing. I do have the factory heavy duty cooling/towing package. I'm just curious if you mount the fan back on for the plowing months.
Thanks.
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RICHARD DESRO
Dodge Dakota
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11/05/2004
16:01:51
| RE: Snow Plow
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Great question, I am almost afraid to crank the bars, although I have a friend that had a S10 and that is what he did, he did not crank them back and forth, but cranked them up, and had it aligned. He did say it held the plow better.
So, I will also wait for the reply from "lead, follow...or get out of the way".
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Kowalski
GenIII
11/06/2004
07:30:48
| RE: Snow Plow
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Ride is a bit harsher, but I don't find it too bad. I leave them cranked up all the time; I also like the extra ground clearance it gives. They're easier to crank up if you jack up the front to take the weight off them, no need to jack if you have a good air impact wrench. Check with your alignment guy to make sure you did it evenly, thay might even crank them up for you.
I'm not one of those who have removed the mechanical fan. Since I can be stuck in traffic on my way to the races in July with the AC on and towing about 5000 lbs, I've opted to leave it on. I think I could get away with removing it until the cooling system gets older, but would rather avoid that surprise. If you've done this, I think the correct way to do it is with a thermal switch so the electric fan comes on a little earlier; remember seeing some posts on that a while back.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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11/06/2004
12:51:27
| RE: Snow Plow
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To deal with the front squat, consider Timbren "rubber helper springs" for the front end, to help the truck support the additional weight of the plow. www.timbren.com
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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11/06/2004
16:56:40
| RE: Snow Plow
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how is it riding with those Timbren's when you are unladen? Do they effect the ride, or only when you reach the bottom end of the front travel?
Wal
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tractorfix
Dodge Dakota
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11/06/2004
18:03:43
| RE: Snow Plow
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I read in my owners manual that the Dakota is not intended for plowing. I don't know why not. From what I have seen underneath mine, its very overbuilt. Anyway, I'll still push snow with my old big block Ramcharger. I've seen lots of Daks and even some Durangos with blades on them. They seem to do just fine. Good Luck- ITS COMING!
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Kowalski
GenIII
11/06/2004
18:19:42
| RE: Snow Plow
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My manual said the same thing, but Fisher has done a pretty good job of deciding what these trucks can do based on axle weight ratings and other info. My year (and probably most recent years), Dakota front end was rated to take more weight than the full size half ton Ram. So with my regular cab v8 they say I can run regular duty or light duty plow. QC trucks are heavier and I think they don't recomend the heavier plows for those. When I mentioned Fisher's recomendation to dealer when buying, he pretty much agreed; said he couldn't see my plow unless it definitely caused a problem. No problems though, I trust Fishers engineering.
The Timbrens aren't bad unladen, can be set not to take weight til suspension squats a bit.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Wal
Dodge Dakota
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11/06/2004
18:57:35
| RE: Snow Plow
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Thanks Kowalski.
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