Any thoughts on how a plow affects a used 2500 CTD? When looking at a used 2500 with a plow, what kind of things should I look out for?
Does a plow increase the value of a used CTD? Or does it decrease it because of presumed extra wear and tear? Does it damage the front end?

 

Plowing beats the snot out of ANY truck. I had a plow for three years and it takes it's toll.


If you still have factory u-joints, be prepared to replace them after every season. Moogs hold up pretty well. The tranny can take a beating too if your a harsh plow guy.

As far as the rest of the suspension, a CTD already has everything that would be included with a "snow plow prep" package. You'd want to make sure your batteries are in tip top shape, as is the alternator. Obviously plowing wears on brakes a little quicker. Watch the axle seals. Make sure the tranny fluid is in good condition, as is the transfer case too. Check your drive shafts, and their u-joints. Make sure that double cardan joint on the front drive shaft is tight.


I'd also check the leaf spring shackles. The cooling system. Tie-rod ends, drag link, etc.

If your gentle with a plow, the truck can withstand it. It's when guys go ***** to the wall trying to push 2 feet of snow with full throttle that leads to trouble...lol.


Good luck.

 

Yeah, I kinda figured. A smart man knows what he knows, and knows what he doesn't know. How to check all those details on a used plow truck is just something I don't know. Where I live in the sticks, most of the used CTD's I can find are at least 100 miles away, so I couldn't directly inspect them even if I did know what to look for.

And of course the guy selling the truck isn't going to tell you how hard he beat it when he was plowing. It's funny that every used CTD I've seen that has a plow was "only used to plow my driveway". Yuh, right.

I actually do need it only to plow my own driveway and road, but it sounds like it will be cheaper for me to pay someone else to ruin their truck plowing my road. Still, though, having a plow would be fun.

 

I'm Mr. Plow, that's my name. That name agian is Mr. Plow

 

Well, give some details here. Year, tranny, bed, what kind of plow?....etc. What ever you know.




My attitude towards my truck is, drive within it's means. If you want to work a truck, then certain things become routine. I like mashin the pedal to the floor. And I do it all day. But, I have addressed my motor, my tc, my tranny, etc, all the way down to the axle seals. It cost money no doubt, but for the next 150,000 miles, all I have to do is changed fluids.

It depends on what extent you want to go to.


If your truck has a manual tranny, SWEET! Personally, they are much easier, and often cost much less labor wise, to repair. It doesn't take a lot to install a clutch per say. Or u joints. If you put a 12 dollar Autozone u-joints in your truck, and you have a heavy snow season..... then be prepared to replace at least the axle shaft u-joints. Maybe the drive shafts as well. Put in a $40 Moog U-joint in, kept it well greased, and plow within reason,......that joint will last 3 years, I'd bet. You can also install a performance or severe duty clutch. During regular driving, that clutch will last 200,000 miles........lol.


If your tranny is auto, well, more $$$$ all aspects. My repair guy tells me that the biggest reason that auto trannys fail prematurely from plowing is two things.

1. The tranny gets too hot and the cooler(s) up front do no good. A remote, thermostatically controlled cooler takes care of that. I have a guy who installed a good size cooler in the bed, and gave it twin 10 inch pusher fans. It's an unbelievable setup. And he doesn't haul crap in the bed other than chains, cables, tools, etc. He uses a trailer for anything else. His trany temps stay cool, plus he has an aftermarket tc, and new bands and clutches in the tranny. He also has a tranny ready to do some work.


2. The other thing that promotes rapid wear on a tranny is shift from forward, to reverse. Most guys drop the handle from R to D, and get right on it. I guess that's no good. My tranny guys says you always want a slight pause from R to D, and D to R. A split second stop @ neutral is even better.


My point is, if ya have a few bucks, toughen up the truck in the right places. You can make a good plow truck for reasonable money.


If you're buying it on a guy's word then........................... coin toss to it worthiness.


Just my 2 cents


Good luck.

 

I'm looking at a 1996 2500 CTD Laramie SLT 4X4 with an 8.5 ft V-plow, automatic trans, 127K miles, looks like the long bed in the pictures but I'm not sure. It's at a very small used dealer in central Maine. I think the dealer has a good reputation in his area, but it's not near where I live so I don't really know. The dealer says the tires have 80% tread left, and that the tranny was rebuilt 40,000 miles ago. Asking price is $14,500 which even I can see is too much for this truck. It comes with a new inspection sticker, which in Maine means that the tie rods can't be too bad and the brakes are ok. Maine roads beat on tie rod ends, even if you don't have a plow.

So, yeah, it is basically a coin toss as to the worthiness, especially since the dealer has no way of knowing how hard the truck was worked before he got it. If I could get it for $12K then that would leave a few bucks to replace all the u-joints, and I would never have to plow with it enough to overheat the tranny. Mostly I would be using it to pull a 28-ft travel trailer, and to look bad-*** in the hospital parking lot[8D]

It is listed at Chips Auto and Classics http://www.chipsautosalesandclassics.com

 

Your most def right on the price being too high. And what a pain in the a** it is to plow with and extended cab long bed.........lol.


Nice lookin truck tho for the age.


Good luck.

 

Never thought about the length factor in plowing. Mostly I want the wheelbase for better stability in towing a longer trailer.

I appreciate the advice. It is a nice looking truck. I wonder if 12K is a fair price. I guess there's only one way to find out.

Thanks. Gonna keep looking for now. Maybe hold out for a manual trans.

 

That 4wd stick looks HUGE!!



Check out when the pic was taken. He's had this buggy for a while huh ??





I dunno doc, I can't help but think that there are other underlying problems / gremlins that are going to come with this truck. Personally, if I was looking for a used truck right now, I'd look for one that WASN'T used as a work truck previously. I'd rather buy one from some guy who just used it to tow his toys ( think kingdog ) or someone who just wanted a truck as a daily driver. I'd stay away from the work truck especially if i was going to sell my pride and joy to help finance it.

Just my opinion ...

 

I noticed those dates on the pics too; thought it might be an indicator of his willingness to come down on price. not so far.
Didn't notice the size of the 4WD stick...[]
Opinions are what I'm lookin for; when it comes down to the final decision I take responsibility for that.
I, too, fear gremlins in this rig. Gonna pass on this one and keep lookin
Construction site dropped something on my wife's 06 Jeep Commander Hemi yesterday, so I gotta take it in to the dealer today for estimate; hes got some 06 2500 CTD's left on the lot that I might play with while waiting...have a feeling it'll be dangerous for me to drive a new one.
Also found a sweet toy shop in New Hampshire, the name says is all: http://www.dieselland.com/

will keep you posted
thanks for the feedback