I'd NEVER put a plow on a full size half ton if it were an IFS truck, myself. They are VERY hard on front ends! So I'd say forget about it on a Dak.
As for the winch, no problem. Worst case if you get a little sag in the front from the weight of the winch, mount, etc. then stiffen the front up a tad. Long as the winch is properly mounted, you'll have no problems...

 

It will be funny when the air bags deploy!

 

I've been looking into the Suburbanite plow. Its specifically designed for the Dakota and is only 250lbs. Its easy to remove and install and if you are just doing the me and my drive way plowing, ie., not commercial, it should not be that detrimental to the vehicle.

I've found them priced at $3400 to $3900 installed from the quotes I have.

Its made by Western: http://www.suburbaniteplows.com
and the brackets that hold it on are barely noticeable from what I can see.

 

I pay $300.00 per season to have my driveway plowed, that would mean 11/13 year to break even.

 

I use a snow blower... drive way is a relativly straight 20x50. They have to have some way to disconnect the air bags (some on/off so they won't deploy). Even light plowing, when you hit that snow bank, of curb, that has to be more than enough force to have them (air bags) go off.

 

Why would the airbags deploy on our trucks and not on others? Full size trucks have airbags too! The sensors measure g-force I believe. So if you hit something like a tree at 20MPH yes the air bag will go off.
FYI plows have spring on them so if you hit something solid on the road while plowing, the plow will "trip" (spring forward) to avoid the truck abrurtly stopping and the driver going thru the windshield if he isnt wearing a searbelt.
Yes, the Dakota CAN plow will DODGE cover a repair on the suspension if it breaks? No! They recommend a 3/4 ton or larger for plowing! But if you dont beat your truck and take your time it will be just as good as most other trucks its size!. If they make plows for jeep libertys, ford rangers and even 4 cylinder Toyotas, I'd like to think the Dakota is more rubust then those SUV's Trucks.

 

Much more cost effective to buy a large blower or have someone do it!

 

To answer your question about air bags. Trucks made to handle a plow have an on off switch for the air bags!

 

Snap! I guess that answers that. Bad for your truck, and potentially bad for you to plow with a light truck!

BTW, Ram 2500 Snow Cheifs are pretty cool. Alot of them up here doing lake-effect duty.

 

Really? I have never seen a switch for airbags other than the ones which disable the PASSENGER airbag to allow for a car seat. Which trucks have a switch to disable the drivers airbag?