setting up a duramax for plowing

franklin2 · Sep 20, 2015

You could use the foglight switch if you used relays. I am sure it would not be large enough to just use the fog light switch by itself.

I am not sure on brands. I would recommend trying to find some with metal housings if they still make them. Those plastic ones from china are junk, the plastic housing is just too flimsy and it shakes as the vehicle vibrates. And as the plastic housing gets hot from the bulb being on, the plastic gets soft and it gets even worse. They do sell junk nowadays.

farm boy00 · Sep 20, 2015

franklin2 said:
You could use the foglight switch if you used relays. I am sure it would not be large enough to just use the fog light switch by itself.

I am not sure on brands. I would recommend trying to find some with metal housings if they still make them. Those plastic ones from china are junk, the plastic housing is just too flimsy and it shakes as the vehicle vibrates. And as the plastic housing gets hot from the bulb being on, the plastic gets soft and it gets even worse. They do sell junk nowadays.

Kinda stupid but where should the relays be?? Under the hood going to the lights??

Thanks for the light advise. I'll see what I can find

aczlan · Sep 20, 2015

farm boy00 said:
That could be an idea but I want lights on whenever I need them. Michigan winter nights get super dark so I'm planning on mounting 2 lights on the top of the headache rack pointing to the front and a good strobe light ($25-100 budget)
I do like the idea of getting the ones that go into the head light but I think that's out of my price range.

The problem is that if you are throwing light to the front over the top of the cab while its snowing, all you are going to do is light up the snow in front of you and blind yourself.

Aaron Z

LD1 · Sep 20, 2015

If you want more light, hardwire the plow lights to a toggle switch that way you have the option of running them + the factory headlights. Thats how I run mine, all 4 lights at a time. Any more and you blind yourself and fellow plowers.

10' is too big on a 3/4 ton duramax IMO

farm boy00 · Sep 20, 2015

LD1 said:
If you want more light, hardwire the plow lights to a toggle switch that way you have the option of running them + the factory headlights. Thats how I run mine, all 4 lights at a time. Any more and you blind yourself and fellow plowers.

10' is too big on a 3/4 ton duramax IMO

I would just turn the lights on which turn the plow lights on. I wouldn't say that is too big. My buddy that I got the truck from replaced the truck with 2012 duramax that has a beefier 8ft with wings so it's a 10ft plow

farm boy00 · Sep 20, 2015

I found these lights that I really like. Would they need covers???

http://m.ebay.com/itm/2x-7INCH-36W-...-ATV-SUV-FOG-DRIVING-/251969693520?nav=SEARCH

franklin2 · Sep 20, 2015

farm boy00 said:
I found these lights that I really like. Would they need covers???

http://m.ebay.com/itm/2x-7INCH-36W-...-ATV-SUV-FOG-DRIVING-/251969693520?nav=SEARCH

If they are above the height of the headlights, they need covers. Unless they are mounted to the plow frame. Your relay would be best mounted under the hood near the battery. Those lights in the above link don't draw much power, but it still would be best to run a relay if you are using the unknown foglight switch.

A real 10ft plow is a little big for a pickup. I think you will find a smaller plow more handy and maneuverable also.

LD1 · Sep 20, 2015

farm boy00 said:
I would just turn the lights on which turn the plow lights on. I wouldn't say that is too big. My buddy that I got the truck from replaced the truck with 2012 duramax that has a beefier 8ft with wings so it's a 10ft plow

IF you use a factory plow wire harness, when you turn the truck headlights on, only the plow lights come on (if the plow is connected).

Thats the way all plow harness are. Only made to run one set of lights. Unless you modify it. Which I do, so I have the option of 2 sets of lights (all 4 on).

Dont care how your buddy had it set up. IMO (the O stands for opinion, and the M stands for MY) that plow is too big. I have yet to see a light duty 10' plow. And 10' of heavy duty is too much, and I am betting you cannot carry enough weight over those 4 tires to be able to use it to its fullest in a heavy snow. Now if your duramax had an extra set of rear tires and about a ton more payload, then you would be in business.

farm boy00 · Sep 20, 2015

LD1 said:
IF you use a factory plow wire harness, when you turn the truck headlights on, only the plow lights come on (if the plow is connected).

Thats the way all plow harness are. Only made to run one set of lights. Unless you modify it. Which I do, so I have the option of 2 sets of lights (all 4 on).

Dont care how your buddy had it set up. IMO (the O stands for opinion, and the M stands for MY) that plow is too big. I have yet to see a light duty 10' plow. And 10' of heavy duty is too much, and I am betting you cannot carry enough weight over those 4 tires to be able to use it to its fullest in a heavy snow. Now if your duramax had an extra set of rear tires and about a ton more payload, then you would be in business.

The 10ft has not been hooked up to the truck even. Yes the 7.5ft plow came with the truck. It has everything factory. I'M the one who is putting more lights on the truck. In Michigan I don't think you need covers but If not I can make some in our sheet metal shop