GMC/Chev 1500

[crashz]

Many have cracked behind the upper control arm for the older models. Do not know about the newer ones (2011 and newer).

I've seen a bunch of posts from the plowing forums with 89-2000 and 2000-2010 GM trucks that have had this problem. All of them were HD models though.

 

[wawajake]

All the big truck three makers don't reccomend the plow on half tons to be "safe" .........although Ford is going to sell a package (see link) ...........but only if you get the V8 ...the ecoboost configuration can't handle. and it looks like plow must be under 500 lbs.........quite frankly at that weight any half ton nowdays could handle as long as electrics are made to handle. Heck we have tons of snow up here.........my former neighbor used a old 4 x4 Lada with a 7 ft fiberglass plow for five years. and he owned the Hyundai dealership and did the lot plowing there too.

2015 Ford F-150 Will Offer Snowplow Package - PickupTrucks.com News

 

[jejeosborne]

All the big truck three makers don't reccomend the plow on half tons to be "safe" .........although Ford is going to sell a package (see link) ...........but only if you get the V8 ...the ecoboost configuration can't handle. and it looks like plow must be under 500 lbs.........quite frankly at that weight any half ton nowdays could handle as long as electrics are made to handle. Heck we have tons of snow up here.........my former neighbor used a old 4 x4 Lada with a 7 ft fiberglass plow for five years. and he owned the Hyundai dealership and did the lot plowing there too.

The ecoboost will not work because of the intercooler being in the way or blocked from the plow.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The ecoboost will not work because of the intercooler being in the way or blocked from the plow.

There are a few plow manufacturers allowing their plows on the Ecoboost. The problem is not the intercooler, it's the electric power steering.

A hydraulic plow uses about 300 amps of power to run the pump. Some manufacturers are switching over to linear actuators. They use 30 amps. I researched this hard about 2 months ago. The reason the 5.0 is ok with a plow is it still uses a power steering pump.

Chris

 

[jejeosborne]

There are a few plow manufacturers allowing their plows on the Ecoboost. The problem is not the intercooler, it's the electric power steering.

A hydraulic plow uses about 300 amps of power to run the pump. Some manufacturers are switching over to linear actuators. They use 30 amps. I researched this hard about 2 months ago. The reason the 5.0 is ok with a plow is it still uses a power steering pump.

Chris

The 5.0 has electric power steering as well so that wouldn't be the reason here.

 

[timswi]

No one I know is asking for a law...I certainly don't want one even though I would never be subjected to it...There are other issues at hand that lawyers can't solve....Just think of someone beyond yourself...Guess that isn't possible for some around here..Whatever.

Good lord, me and DP are agreeing again..The world might be coming to an end.

 

[Pierrepont]

I'm tempted to buy a brand new 2014 GMC K1500, with Snow Plow Prep.

Regular Cab, 8' box, the "new" 4.3 V6 EcoTec3 engine, (not the old 4.3).

I'd be installing a Fisher 7.5' HD straight blade plow.

Anybody have any first hand real world experience with this set-up?

I'd be trading my 2007 "classic" Silverado 4.8 V8, regular cab, long box, (91,000 miles) which has been a great truck, now in its 9th winter of snow plowing service. No need to trade, just have the new truck itch.

I personally plow 24 residential driveways. We're on Lake Ontario north of Watertown, NY and WE GET SNOW!

What do you think please?

 

[WilliamBos]

I'm tempted to buy a brand new 2014 GMC K1500, with Snow Plow Prep.

Regular Cab, 8' box, the "new" 4.3 V6 EcoTec3 engine, (not the old 4.3).

I'd be installing a Fisher 7.5' HD straight blade plow.

Anybody have any first hand real world experience with this set-up?

I'd be trading my 2007 "classic" Silverado 4.8 V8, regular cab, long box, (91,000 miles) which has been a great truck, now in its 9th winter of snow plowing service. No need to trade, just have the new truck itch.

I personally plow 24 residential driveways. We're on Lake Ontario north of Watertown, NY and WE GET SNOW!

What do you think please?

Upgrade to the 5.3L, you will be happy that you did.

 

[HHR]

The 4.3L is 96 pounds lighter and may use less fuel than the 5.3L when doing lots of low speed plowing. If you have been able to get the job done with a 4.8L for 9 seasons, I see no reason to get the 5.3L unless you want the extra power for other reasons.

 

[timswi]

Drove a loaner 2014 4.3 4x4 GMC..Ran very well actually but I'm not sure about having the torque that you might want. But as was mentioned, if you were more than happy with the 4.8, the 4.3 might do you just fine. If you were on the fence, go with the 5.3.