Why do GM and Boss not recommend?

[HDMXDiesel0817]

Ok this one is puzzling :confused: me a bit. I would really like to understand the reason(s) for this; why is it that GM does not recommend the use of any snow plow on the DMax? I see them on dmax's all over the place. Is it because the engine is too heavy? Front axle can't support the extra 800 or so lbs. I thought these were HDs :rolleyes: . I mean come on we can throw in nearly 3300 lbs in the bed to level it. We can upgrade the alternator, what else is there that we would need to do. Even the boss website doesn't recommend it. (Covering their rears I would guess).

I went to the local Boss dealer and asked, he said 'I don't want to be held responsible'...blah blah blah. Ok fine (sorta figured that).

So how does this work then? Are you guys just buying them and installing them yourselves or what? What would be required to make the dmax snowplow ready :D ?


Thanks,

Jon smile.gif

[VFRRider]

They are HD's, sort of. They can pull and payload as good or better than most, but, IFS limits the nose. Needs solid front axle with big ol springs. My guess and my .02.

[MAV]

My reg. cab 3500 Dmax had the plow pack on it. All Dmax already have the tranny cooler. 130 amp (145 now), headlight harness (factory installed that nobody uses because most MFG have their own harness), and AUX lamp light switch. Grommet in firewall is also there with a plow package.
I would put the plow on. Most dealers will set up the (new) plow for you but give you the frame only to install for the liability reasons. Up in Alaska we ran plows on any configuation of Dmax. Don't worry.
On edit-I did add Timbrens to the front suspension. Helps alot. Under $250.
http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL227/437876/521204/5633716.jpg
http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL227/437876/521204/5916850.jpg
http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL227/437876/521204/6702512.jpg
http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL227/437876/521204/5916855.jpg

[HDMXDiesel0817]

Mav,

Cool deal :cool: ! Thanks a bunch I remember seeing a picture of your rig with that plow. ;)

Jon

[heartbeatcanada]

My truck came with the plow package and the dealer has seen it with the plow and done work with it on, and they didn't say a word. I did what mav did put the timbrens in the front and they helped out a tonne. I also put the timbrens in the rear as i ussualy have a skid of salt in the back(2600lbs) and a tailgate salter hanging off the back.
Truck has been awesome pushing snow, no complaints except i've gone threw 2 NSBU switchs, one which is the new tan coloured one, suppose to fix the problem. Needless to say if got a spare under the back seat if need be. Gonna try and rig something up so the snow and water can't readily get packed in by the switch and fry the unit. Trust me it really sucks when you have to plow 12 more hours(sunday, nothing open) and your NSBU switch is shot(no spare) and the truck is stuck in 3rd gear and its still snowing :eek: . Oh well got through it, don't know how much damage was done to my clutchs, but there all new now. tongue.gif
The hds can handle a plow no problem, and as far as the IFS not standing up to a solid axle, i'll call bs on that. I've been running ifs plow trucks since 88 when they came out and do you know how many cv joints and such i've gone through "ZERO". I've got friends and other plow guys i talk to and they have a solid axle and have done numerous u joint repairs and such. I have in a previous truck 1988 1/2 ton plowed 8 years with it, thats with an 8ft plow and approx 150- 200 hrs per year. Maybe i'm lucky but i'm not easy on equipment when i'm running behind and its still snowing like a mofo. Let the white gold start fallin. smile.gif Later Jeremy

[MAV]

I also went through 2 NSBU switches plowing. My spare is in my glove box for this truck.

[Buck]

Check out these pics! I know it's not a Dmax but suspension is the same. Just food for thought! ;)

http://mct.truckmoxie.com/mygallery.ten?id=4151

[ratlover]

I just put a Fisher 9'6" EZ-V on last night. Put timbrens on up front and 800# or so balast in the back. Front droped close to 1.5" She drives fine, can barley tell its there, it pogos a little but not bad. At 70 it even rides pretty smooth. I've got a reg cab D/A with 265's on here.

Hopefully we will see how she pushes lots of snow. :D

And if you are going Boss......dont buy a V blade that is a full trip! It will stop your butt in a hurry when you hit something if its not angled and working like a straight blade. Personal experience and it sucks! Ever seen a f550 come to an imediate halt? :eek: And you end up needing a new cup of coffee :mad: Thats why I bought the fisher with the trip edge.

Cab configuration will dictate hevily what you should put up front.

[skidsteer loader]

Hey ratlover, how do you like the fisher? any probs. I have to get the frame kit to put my "V" on my new ride, I'm definitly going with the Timbrens.

[ratlover]

Hopefully I will give it a heck of a work out this year ;) Havent done anything with it yet though. Controller might take some getting used to but hopefully it wont be too bad and will become second nature.

Boss is faster angling than the fisher, havent had a chance to use it yet to see if it is slow enough to be a PITA or not but it dosnt seem to angle "slow" albiet it dosnt seem as fast as the boss.

It picks up and drops in no time, very easy. :cool:

We shall hopefully see ;) ****Let it snow let it snow let it snow!!!****

[ratlover]

BTW....I was really torn on colors when I bought mine.....I really like the arival blue but figured black would be easier to touch up and match and such. What are you doing in the way of warning lights? How bout balast?

And you will have to hack the front air dam, I can get pics if you want/need. And if you need any help/ideas on were to run the wiring. That took me a but to figure out were the best place to run it is....might give you some ideas, I'm still not 100% hapy with the placement but romm under the hood is kinda sparce. I also needed to trim a bit on the plastic splash shield deal.

[MAV]

RAT MAN,
Do you have a factory plow pack with the AUX switch? I did and ran my wire out the CHMSL to my beacon. If you don't have a headach rack I have seen poeplr have good luck with the suction cup mounted beacons for the roof. No magnets to scratch this way. Balast.....500 lbs of sand in sand bags should do it.
http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL227/437876/551338/6032825.jpg
http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL227/437876/551338/6032728.jpg

[MAV]

For you plow guys..........here another forum........(just what we need)........ http://www.plowsite.com/

I am Maverick on here also.

[ratlover]

Yup, have the plow prep w/the switch. I will be running the power wire from under my 3rd brake lihght so I dont have to hack into sheet metal. Whyd you go through it instead of out the bottom underneath it? I might need to rethink my gameplan? I will be running a headache rack that I built with the light bar on it. I got another switch from Eric so I will have 2 of the switches, one powering some hide away strobes, one powering the light bar. I like everything to look factory. :cool:

I'm running about 900# or so of ballast behind the rear axel as per fishers recomendations of 1000#. My blade is a bit heavier than yours I believe since its a V

If I ever get around to posting pics you guys can see why some of my friends call me Overkill Phil ;)

[HDMXDiesel0817]

I appreciate all of the input guys, especially about the Boss V...I'm sure it was more upsetting in the coffee clean up :( :mad:

I've checked the prices and it seems that the fronts are about 145 and the rears are in the 200+ area (what's this additional $65 bogus?) Does anyone have these cheaper?...TIA :D

[ 10-30-2003, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: HDMXDiesel0817 ]

[letsgo]

About 3 years ago there was a posting on the same subject snowplows, It appeared to me that the major complaint was that reverse was so slow when backing up and to much reverse torque in the Duramax compared to other GMC products, and time was money. Maybe GM could see the drive train falling appart with all the instant reversing.

now that reminds me of a joke, the tank that had 1 forward gear and 5 reverse.

good luck

[skidsteer loader]

Thanks Ratlover but I work for a Fisher distributor, Been bolting these things on for years. I was just wondering how you liked the blade, and plowing with the Dmax. Or have you not seen any snow with it yet?

[ratlover]

No snow yet.

Unsure if I like the Fishstick yet.....

Letsgo....I think you are talking about the French tanks :D

Reverse speed dont bother me since you cant push snow in reverse, and if your not pushing snow you aint making money. ;) True that sometimes it cant be helped though.

Dont know if I would go with timbrens in the back, I have heard they make it ride like crap??? Fronts act fine though.