Does anyone have any experience with trying to install a snowplow on one of the new JK's?

I'm contemplating a plow next season instead of nursing the old snowblower another year. Mounting a small plow on a JKL Rubi seems to be a good way to do that.

Any insights are appreciated.

 

I personally think a plow is a bad idea on ANY vehicle. I have seen them on jeeps but I would never put one on mine. Plowing puts a lot of stress on a lot of different things. If it were me, I would buy a used ATV and put a plow on it, or keep nursing the snowblower, or buy a new one.

Just my opinion,
Bryan

 

in my experience, ATV's dont plow for $hit.

I had one, and it was a joke. I sold it quckly The ATV isnt heavy enough, nor is the plow, to move more than a few inches of snow over any distance. (more builds as you go, and it pushes the plow up, leaving snow behind which you subesquently start to pack with the tires, making succesive sweeps an even bigger pain in the a$$)

I would get a decent dual stage blower and call it a day.

I think a jeep would do ok with a plow for small driveways and such (but wouldnt be my choice). If you are doing commercial lot plowing, i would buy a dedicated larger pickup for a plow truck.

That'd be my .02C

 

I used to live across the street from a gas station / very-USED car dealer. They had an old YJ outfitted with a plow, and the thing was a champ. They were clearing off the frontage leading to a commercial 3-bay garage, as well as a large dirt lot across the road from them, and the Jeep never seemed to have any difficulties. In fact, it's maneuverability was really well suited to working around their used cars on the dirt lot.

Having said all that, the YJ didn't strike me as the most capable plowing machine - it moved decent amounts of snow around, but the owner knew its limits; you wouldn't see them trying to bulldoze with the thing (just plowing a swath at a time, not trying to move mountains).

I say go for it - you could make some gas money doing neighbors' driveways, too; just be sure to take the other posters' advice and don't try to clear any huge commercial-grade parking lots (stick with "gentle plowing," and don't try to bulldoze, to avoid straining the vehicle too badly).

All said - it CAN be done, HAS been done, and will be done again - just remember that, as far as "trucks" go, the Jeep is a VERY light truck, and was not created for large-scale plowing. Your driveway shouldn't be a problem, though. Just my $.02, and hope it helps.

 

It was an option for Scouts.

 

Well sure aren't scouts closer to tractors than trucks/

 

My cousin was in the snow removal business and he loves the Jeeps for plowing.

 

Mt step dad was too. He had a Jeep for awhile for doing (as was previously mentioned) in/around cars and "trim" or cleanup work, but for the bulk stuff he had a Dodge PowerRam with the 8ft bed and a salter and a hydraulic V-plow
When he strightened it out, That thing would push a LOT of snow.

For what they are good at, they work very well, it all depends on your application. That poweram woulda sucked for doing most residential driveways.




Edit: I think i read somewhere about the front of the frame being collapsible so installing the plow frame was a problem??? Does anyone know for sure about this? I don't.

 

I don't advise it. The new JK are not the same as the TJ and older jeeps. Take a look at where you bumper connect to your frame. That section of the frame, which runs just forward of the front axle is disigned to crush under load. If you put a snow plow on that, you will reshape the front end of your jeep. :sad:

 

Ok, here's my experience and knowledge. TJ and YJs make great little residential plows. Most manufacturers make plow frames for them. You can even get a plow for an XJ but that i dont recommend because of the unibody construction. Now for the JK. DC did not do any testing for a JK with a plow set up and therefore does not recommend a plow for use with a JK. Previously your Jeep would install a plow at the dealership on a TJ, not so for the JK. Also as of this time, I am unaware of any company making a plow frame for the JK as I am sure they know DC does not recommend it and so they are not building one for liability reasons. You might be able to retrofit one of those manually adjustible aluminum jobbies, but those stink. I'd love to put one on my JK as well, but neither Curtis (my fav) nor Fisher nor Myers makes a frame.