snow plow duty

This year I bolted the snow plow to the CJ5. Next thing is that this turns out to be the Mutha of winters! I had to abandon the first driveway to my shop. Kept the second open until yesterday. Gone. 4-5 foot high drifts are too much for the little jeep.

How much torque does it take to shear off the 6 3/8" bolts holding the locking hub on?
I had to replace all of them to get things going again. It seems that they work themselves loose, so now I check them everyday! Thinking about cleaning them up and replacing with studs and nuts. Workable?

Otherwise this has been a blast! Who needs a heater when you got manual steering!

-Hill

 

Studs would work I guess.The key is to put lock tabs under the bolt heads. My original ones still have them, just like the lock tab washer on the front wheel bearings. Keeps things where they're 'sposed to be. Manual steering, two plow control rods and drafty doors, who needs heat indeed!!! Don't have it in mine eitherR). Just carve a little "bit-o-drift" at a time. I amaze myself what that little :hurrican: will push!

 

Safety wire the hub bolts if you can't get the lock tabs.

 

Sure fun to plow with a CJ. I use regular lock washers under grade 8 bolts. A little lock-tite would go a long ways also. I would only go as far as blue. I check mine every few times I use the jeep to plow. I also take a look at my front U joints from time to time.

I also agree with the little bit at a time. But when the snow gets really deep it can take forever. With the limited space I have to pile snow I have learned to go up with it. A CJ will push snow right up the snow pile without getting stuck in it if your careful.

My first year plowing with the black jeep with two doors. I even added a window to the door I did have. I fixed the heater this year too. I also have power steering and a power 4 way plow now. Almost feels like cheating When the jeep is warmed up I plow in a Tee shirt.

 

I had the same problem (very common) with my hub bolts. The hubs are actually machined for studs. That's why they aren't threaded all the way to the top of the hole. They are back-bored to accept the collar on a stud. I tried everything else ie; threadlocker, lock-washers etc and nothing worked. I put in studs and haven't had a problem since. Those bolts take a lot of torque and they flex at the top of the hub bolt hole because of that back-boring I mentioned. That's what causes them to loosen up and eventually break. I ran a tap down the holes and blew them out with brake cleaner, then with compressed air. Protect your eyes if you do this, then used red Threadlocker on them. I haven't had one get loose in two years.

 

hell, who needs a heater when you have a v6 exhaust manifold by your foot? (body is getting a lot of new sheetmetal in the garage)

 

The studs make excellent sense now. Just as soon as I can actually get the jeep back to the shop... Kinda difficult right now.

I get a little heat thru the floor along with the delightful aroma of gear lube. Something is leaking enough to stink.... I need to crawl under and make sure there is enough in there.

How much abuse can a T90 take anyway?? It would seem a considerable amount. I have had to rock it a few times to get loose after getting crossed up.... sometimes it requires the shovel, sometimes I don't even try and go for the winch!

Lots of fun anyway!

-Hill

 

Nothing like puttin a 40 year old Jeep to work and having it get er done! And :iagree: about the studs have um on my 3b and have had no problems.

 

I've been plowing my 800 foot driveway with my CJ's for about 28 years. I had no experience when I started so I did allot of shovel work in the beginning. Here are some of the things I learned: 1. Bring a shovel with you and extra gas. None of my CJ's have working gas gauges. 2. If your wheels are spining when you go to back up drop the plow until you can get rolling. The plows weight will reduce traction at the rear wheels. 3. Put weight in the back. Homedepot sells sand in 25 lb tube like plastic bags. It's great. I usually put four to six of them in the rear. 4. Don't hesitate to use chains. My driveway is hilly, without chains I would go no where. It only takes one wheel spinning on each axle and you're stuck. 5. Go out and plow often if it is a big storm. 6. If the snow is deep keep the plow up about a foot off the ground and do sweeps to get the snow off to the side. Keep and eye on your temperature gauge. Once that's done then come back with the plow on the ground and take your long runs. I've learned to push the snow way back off the pavement, about two feet, to leave room for the storms that will follow. 7. I lift my plow as I come to the end of my run. Like someone said, you can pile it higher. I had quite a ramp one year.

Be sure and have fun! Plowing snow with a jeep is a blast. Monday, I get my FC-150 back. Nothing stops that truck!
Best,
Bruce

 

I've seen your driveway and I have to say I don't envy you. You running the 4-way on the FC? At least with that you can see what you're going to hit with the plow, birds eye view!

 

..... more like a 49 year old jeep .....

Weight in the back is a excellent idea.
Chains are not in the budget, tires are 31/10.50 so chains are gonna cost a bit!

The V6 is chugging along fairly well, but the tranny whining a bit more now.

I have learned that cutting it off in stages is easier! However..... When someone asked to have something cleared out, it is usually too late! They can't get thru, and it has hardened over, or is so deep that I can't even begin to push it!! Get a front end loader! Forget the jeep.

Sometimes I could wish for a extra 1500#, big block, etc. It is also nice to be able to raise the blade and turn it around in a tight place!

Thanks!
-Hill

 

Hey, Jeep addict, How are you doing?
The FC's driver's seat is definately a "throne" when it comes to plowing. The 57' FC does have a four way. A very nice setup installed by the previous owner with controls on the cooling tunnel and and a sub-frame that unbolts completely for the summer. That is very handy because we now have a law here in Mass that doesn't allow plow lift arms to extent from the from bumper after the snow season. I'm going to up grade to a hydro-electric pump lift this year so I can use the free pulley to drive the power steering unit I plan to install. By the way the plow setup you traded to me is now working just great on the 71' CJ with the half cab.
My CJ has 31/10.50's. They are really too wide to use as a good tire in the snow. I got chains that use cables and cross spring like coils instead of links. They are easy on and off. I think I got at PrepBoys about 5 years ago for about $65.
You're absolutely right about deep snow that has hardened. That's when I call a friend with a full size pickup. You need the weight of a larger vehicle.
Mike, would mind if i plagiarize your happy face for the FC's plow? It is registered now and the happy face will add just that much more to the uniqueness to the FC.
Finally, on those hub bolts. I've have snapped at least four of those dam bolts. Herm had the locking tabs the last time I replaced the gaskets.

 

Update

I reclaimed a path to my shop today. Had to resort to roto-tilling ( !!!!! ) the drifts. Break them up enough that the jeep could push the stuff. However, Now I will replace the clutch.

I was getting started slipping today, and I had to switch to low range to keep going.
Reverse takes forever... to get backed up!

While I am at it, I might as well see about some studs for the hubs.

-Hill

 

Re: Update

I always plow in low range...

 

Yes, always plow in low range. You can shift to 2nd or 3rd if you need more speed and less power otherwise you will be straining the motor and drive train. The only time I'll make the effort to shift to high range is when I'm backing up for a long distance like from the end of my driveway back up to the street.