CV joints vs U joints for front axle of plow truck

[diesel lover]

I was wondering if a pickup truck with cv joints on the front axle was a bad choice for a plow truck. I have heard this before but cv joints are fairly strong. I would imagine only 1/2 ton trucks use them vs u joints but I could be wrong. Either way I think you don't get the advantage of a snow plow unless it's on a sturdy 3/4 ton

 

[mikehaugen]

I think only trucks with ifs use cv joints. That would narrow it down to 1/2 ton trucks or just about any gm truck. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never seen/heard of cv joints on a solid axle.

 

[diesel lover]

I believe you are 100% correct. I would think independent front suspension would be a lot worse for a plow truck. I was wondering about the strength of a cv vs a u joint as well. I will see if I can read up on it

 

[tcartwri]

A truck with CV joints will have a much smaller turning radius...

 

[eddiebroadway]

GM has used them in all but the V series (Square style 4x4) from 1988 untl 1993 then in all of the pick-ups 1993 to present, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton.
I have replaced more axle u-joints than CV shafts in my career.
You can buy a whole CV shaft for around 50 bucks and bolt it in yourself pretty easy.
I prefer to plow with an independent (CV Style) front end because they are less likely to get stuck when you put one front wheel in the ditch.
Now if you have a Blown Big Block and Swamper tires headed for the mud than give me a Dana 60 or bigger straight front axle and hang on!

 

[jaotguy]

U joints have 2 pins per cross to share the torque ... CV use 3 ,so more to reduce stress and they are enclosed in a dust boot to keep dirt out ( U joints are exposed )

U joints last 80,000 if you are lucky .... CV can last over 300,000 ....

 

[AGRIMAN]

U joints last 80,000 if you are lucky .... CV can last over 300,000 ....

Hmmm, I can't say that I agree with that.

 

[Buckgnarly]

You want the best of both worlds, get this for a solid front Dana 60....

RCV Off-Road Performance Products - CV Joints, Axle Kits, Tools

 

[LD1]

I plowed for 5 years and put 50,000 miles on a 2003 chevy 1500. Never had any front end issues. Only replaced 1 wheel bearing and routine brake maintenance.

My 2005 dodge 3500 has been through 2 u-joints in the 16k miles I have driven it. Granted, these werent high dollar joints, but but even the best joint dont compare to the cheapest CV IMO.

There is an awful lot of chevy trucks out there plowing. I wouldnt let CV shafts stop you from plowing. And when purchasing a truck, I wouldnt let CV vs U-joint be the deciding factor either. There are other more important things when it comes to picking a truck.

 

[diesel lover]

I plowed for 5 years and put 50,000 miles on a 2003 chevy 1500. Never had any front end issues. Only replaced 1 wheel bearing and routine brake maintenance.

My 2005 dodge 3500 has been through 2 u-joints in the 16k miles I have driven it. Granted, these werent high dollar joints, but but even the best joint dont compare to the cheapest CV IMO.

There is an awful lot of chevy trucks out there plowing. I wouldnt let CV shafts stop you from plowing. And when purchasing a truck, I wouldnt let CV vs U-joint be the deciding factor either. There are other more important things when it comes to picking a truck.

Thanks! Not interested in putting a plow on my truck which is a 2000 gmc/ 4wd but rather the strength between isf and solid axle/ cv shaft vs u joints. I find this much like automatic transmission vs manual. Although it depends on the automatic transmission vs the manual transmission I have found that many automatic transmissions designed for towing (especially when in much larger equipment such as an Allison in a dump truck, plow truck, or other equipment that gets worked very hard) will work well for everyday work WHEN taken care of and not worked harder than needed.

I believe the main failure to cv shafts is the grease boot being torn off and the grease is released from the joint causing premature failure. If caught early simply can be resealed with a new boot.

My interest in a plow truck if desired would be more in a 3/4 ton for more weight and better for the job of heavier plowing. Theres many half tons that are made well for the job of plowing snow but a 3/4 ton of the same style truck can do it better and safer