Dear Mr. Plow,
    I have a 2000 chevy 1500 pick-up, four-wheel drive with a 4.8 liter V-8. A lot of people tell me my truck would get trashed plowing snow. They say the motor is too small and it doesn't have heavy enough suspension for plowing.
    They say you need at least a 2500 or 3500 to do the job. Is this true?
Sincerely,

Dear Jim,
    Chevy K1500s are fine trucks for plowing. A lot of plow manufactures make very heavy all steel plows that is a lot of strain on a half ton front axle.
Indirect linked plows (ones that hang from chains ) also put undue stress on you and your truck.
    Snoway makes a L2490S D/P plow that weighs about 540 pounds. This is plenty light enough for a half ton Chevy with a small V-8.
    When you turn the down pressure on it adds 375 pounds of downward force on the plow. It is also direct linked plow, this will give you a smooth ride with the plow on.
    For a half ton go with the SnoWay plow and your K1500 will live a long and happy life. You can also take a turn and a half on the torsion bar adjustment screws to offset the additional weight of the plow.
Mr. Plow

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Dear Mr. Plow,
I have a 1988 chevy V-30, (an old style Cab, in 87 it would have been a K-30). It has duel wheels and 4wd, 6wd? 350 cid M-1 trans., 4.11 rear end and heavy duty suspension. It has 35,000 miles on it and goes through clutches quicker than brakes. (read 3 clutches since I started plowing with it in 94). The truck has always had problems "smoking" the clutch even in soft turf. When I am driving in snow over 5" deep I have problems too and have to "plow my way in" to my jobs. My old '68 K-20 was the best plow I have ever owned the 292 cid 6 would climb walls. But the winter of 94 killed it. ;,, ( Getting parts was starting to be a real problem also.
I called the people at Fisher before I got the plow for the new truck and they recommended I get a HD 9 foot plow for the dualie. My question is would I be better plowing with only 2 rear wheels as opposed to the 4. ? I have just installed the heaviest duty clutch I could find and I am still having problems with "smoking" it BUT ... it was a very heavy 14" snow fall we had that night.
thanks for the help.
Pamela Rose Spencer

Hi Pamela,
There are a few thinks to check.

1. Flywheel run out
2. Flywheel finish
3. crankshaft end play
4. seal leakage
5. are you using rag clutches get a button clutch from a good performance shop
6. ask them about light touch / performance pressure plates
7. review you driving habits. Maybe ask some one to ride with you and watch your feet. No clutch will last long if you tend to slip them.
8. release you clutch before you lower your plow
9. I see that you are using a steel plow. Steel plows offer a lot of resistance in snow. You might get it refinished with a graphite base paint
10. coolant leaks or oil leaks finding their way into the bell housing

Your truck should be fine with a 9 foot plow. I think you will find your problem somewhere above. The 292 was a great low end torque engine. Most people wanted a high speed, low fuel consumption, low emission engine.
The 292 had to go.
Mr. Plow

Hi Mr. Plow
I have a 2001 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab, 8100 engine. Can I put a snow plow on it or should I have gotten the factory prep package?
Thank you for your help in advance.
Jeff

Hi Jeff,
Yes, you can put a plow on it. It is always best to have the prep package, however most of the same features are in the towing package.
When the new G.M./Chevy truck models came out they were recommending that the towing package be used as a substitute for the plow prep.package.
I would suggest that you lean toward the lighter snow plows like SnoWay. Be careful that you do not exceed any of your axle ratings ( listed on your driver's door jam ).
You may find that you will want a larger battery, if the plow tends to be slow.
A relay to isolate your trucks electrical system.
You may want to add a set of Timbren springs to firm up your ride.
Features that are commonly found in snow plow prep. packages are stiffer torsion bars or springs, Power steering cooler, higher capacity battery, a relay to isolate the trucks electrical system ( Bosch relays are available at automotive electric component outlets, and are easy to install )
You may want to call the tech. department of the plow you wish to buy before you buy it. Ask them if they can recommend any other cautions.
Most snow plows are installed on trucks without snow plow packages. Seldom does any one think ahead.
Mr. Plow

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Hi Mr. Plow,
I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 extended cab pickup truck.I would like to put a plow on it but! my dealer said that would void my warranty.When I asked why? the answer I got was the truck wasn't made for that type of work. Is this the truth and if so why do they make plows for 1/2 tons?

Hi,
Snow plows do not void manufactures warranties as long as they are recommended for the vehicle. Obviously you can not take the plow of a state highway truck and put it on a half ton pickup. Major snow plow manufactures work with the factories to see that their plows are suitable.
For instance SnoWay has four different plows that are approved for mounting on a 2000 Silverado. We have a 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 and guess what. We have also just sold a plow to the dealer we bought the truck from. You do have to follow both the trucks and the plow manufactures' recommendations for both installing and operating the plow. If you hit a fire plug while plowing at 50 m.p.h. and the snow plow manufacturer recommends10 m.p.h., no one will help you. You also can not install a plow that would exceed the truck manufacturer's front axle weight rating.
I have even seen letters that the truck factories have written to their customers stating that the warranty will not be violated.
You might ask your local snow plow dealer for a copy of the appropriate page from their application guide, or see if there is another truck dealer in your area with more snow plow experience.
Mr. Plow