Snow Plow Advice.

[jsteppe]

Hello my name's Joe, and this is the first time I've ever posted on any forum.
I'm thinking about mounting a snow plow on my 1981 k10. It would only be used for my own driveway. The lawn tractor just doesn't cut it on a sloped driveway. I found a plow at a reasonable price only a few miles from my home. The problem is the plow mounts behind the front bumper and I don't want my bumper sticking out that far. Is there a way to mount the plow frame in front of the bumper? Or should I just look for a different plow setup for my truck?

[ironroad9c1]

move somewhere they don't have snow..lol

[donut]

Welcome Joe,
Not knowing what your looking at, I'd probably look for a different set-up. I also don't know what brand is/was popular in your region. (maybe post a pic of what your looking at?)

Click on my avatar (profile pic) it should bring up a pic of my old '73 with the plow gear on. This was a Fisher speedcast setup that they used until about '87.

[ray_mcavoy]

Hi Joe,

I agree with donut ... you're probably better off looking for a plow setup that is already designed to mount in front of the bumper. The old Fisher Speedcast would be my recommendation too. That's what I have on my 77. It allows the front bumper to stay in the stock location but the push frame does protrude a few inches out beyond the bumper and that part isn't very convenient to unbolt from the truck's frame on a seasonal basis.

[Oldriginal86]

Had an 86 with a Meyers. The cartridge mounted to the frame and the lift frame slid into the cartridge. Bumper remained in original location.Great thing about this setup was the lift frame and motor could be stored out of the weather.Have the same setup on my 98. Would post a picture if I knew how.Maybe someone on here has that type and could post a pic.

[jsteppe]

Thanks for advice. I guess I'll keep looking. I don't need a pro setup since its only for my own driveway. I just never liked the looks of the bumper hanging way out in front of the truck. As soon as I figure out how I'll put a pic of my 81 on here. Favorite truck I've ever had. Thirteen years and counting, I tell my wife I can't sell it it's the same year as me.

[Zane M]

You are going to want to find something else. The problem you will run into is the "newer" style of mounts(doesn't matter which brand) probably aren't going to be as inexpensive as the old style you happen to be looking at now.
I have a Western Unimount on my '87, and I did not have to have any modification to the bumper, and what is nice about this particular style is the lift assembly is on the plow, so only the mount is retained on the truck when the plow is off-looks a lot nicer and is easier to work on the truck.

[nhbowtie]

Fisher is the way to go...

[donut]

A use "pro" set is more than likely cheaper and better built than the homeowners special.

When I bought my '73, I was just looking for the plow and push plates. My father had an '84 k-10 for cheap that I could hang it on. Found a guy with a couple for sale. He wanted $1200 for the working plow, push plates, lights... complete outfit (he would pull it off after buyer tested.) Talked to the guy, price was about $600 if I took the whole truck.

Ok, reason for the pro setup. In many places, they were a dealer installed option. If there was a promo running, the plow truck was far cheaper than a regular 4x4. Plows and gear could be removed (and were) and sold in Uncle Henry's (Maine, pre craigslist).
The home owners special had to be special ordered from ???

Pro's also tried to replace their equipment regularly. Pro setup on my truck needed a hose, some welding, and a ram rebuilt. Whoopee, ram and hose was abt 60.00. Plow was also 35+ years old, and original to the truck. (paperwork was in the glovebox)

OK, I mentioned region? Different makers had different regions. I had a Fisher, so do others that have posted. Fishers were built in Rockland Me, thus New England was Fisher. There was also a dealership in Augusta Me that catered to the plow guys. Parts dept. that was open till midnight in case something broke. (Homeowners special users didn't have that luxury.)

[walkerb]

I also like my Western Unimount. Everything comes off with the blade

[tgh117]

I had a western unimount 8ft on my 77 stepper. When I first got it had an old school meyer setup with the bumper hanging way out there, and I didn't like it one bit.

You should be able to pick up a western setup for 1k or less. Ive seen them even down in the 500 range.

Good luck with your search. Some days I wish I still had it and was willing to get my truck out in the yuck.