The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Plowing pick a 4x4 sub?

I have 2 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburbans. I want to know what one I should mount my heavy LEO DOT plow on.
1989 4x4 350 FI 4 speed manual, lockouts
or a good condition 1974 Cheyanne Super with a 350 turbo 350 and posi rear.
Both are full time 4x4s.
I was warned the 74 transfer case chain will jump right away.....

I would say the 1989 4x4 350 FI 4 speed manual.

Either would be fine, however the '74 will have the stronger axles as well as a stronger t-case. As long as the chain isn't sloppy, there isn't anything to worry about.
BTW, the '89, if original, should not be full time. It should have the NP208 part time t-case with the planetary low range. Also, the full time case (not used after '79) was not available with a manual trans, with the exeption of the '74-mid-'75 3/4 ton pickup, very rare.

You may be right. The older one would have stronger steel, and would likely be more durable. I based my choice on the manual transmission - I figured it would be better in the snow, and more durable than the automatic. I've never plowed snow before, though. Maybe Scott(48bigtrucks), or someone else, will be able to answer with a more educated answer than mine.

i've plowed some snow not a whole lot but some and choice on trans is kinda a toss up the auto is nice cause then your not constantly clutching, but with the Auto from what i'm told its best to put the shifter in First and not drive

Nate

With the automatic, you get the advantage of the torque converter, plus less likely to burn up a clutch. I only know of 2 guys around here that plow with a stick, one has a mutt truck peiced together out of sevral years and styles (short bed w/ 3/4 ton axles, a '74 drivetrain w/full time 'case and 4 speed), the other uses a '42 GMC 6x6 with a 302 and a 12 ft blade.
As to strenght, I was more referring to the ealier tuck using a Dana 44 front axle and the 14 bolt full foater in the back. The later 'Burb would more likely have the 10 bolt fron with the 14 bolt semi-float in the back. The older truck has heavier capacity axles.
In either case, the transfer cases are chain drive, using a virtually identical chain, although I seem to recall that the 203 actually has a wider chain. It also has a stronger low range case.
If you want an even stronger setup, use the NP205 gear drive 'case with a 203 low range housing adapted to it. I beleive Advance Adapters makes the kit. That will allow for not only a super strong gear drive 'case, but also a double low range. I would not use that with semi-float axles, though.

As someone who has sold, installed and serviced hundreds if not thousands of snow plow I can definately tell you all my customers wanted AT. Clutches are a PIA for this type of work. Use the newer truck and change to an atomatic.

Belive it or not the 89 is a full time 4 speed with warn lockouts. I have been told it is a really rare combo!
Thanks for all the help guys......

sorry not full time!!!!

Unless the 'case has been changed out to a 203, it's a part time 208. GM did market it as a shift on the fly 4 wheel drive, marketed as the "Insta-Trak" system. It uses a fully syncronized shift mechanism and auto locking hubs. You mentionit's got Warn lockouts, a popular swap when the auto lockers fail, basically making it a traditional part time system. The true full time 4x4s stopped production in '79. A 'Burb with a manual trans is unusual, though, as most were automatics.

Plow with the Automatic. Plowing with a stick sucks and is hard on the clutch.