Setting up the 63 to plow

[KaiserMan]

I've been setting up my 63 to plow this winter. I used the original Meyers frame, head gear and Monarch pump. Added in a pair of good used Jeep light mounts (can't remember who I got them from on here, but thanks!), an NOS Deitz light kit, a spare FIsher 2 cable joystick (added a Meyers knob to it for good measure) and a Fisher power angle spool valve. I've had a Meyers P-angle spool valve for a while, but with it's push-pull rods I didn't have anywhere to locate it (without it being in the way of removing my dipstick and oil filter).

I did use the Meyers juction block down on the head gear though. That is from a 67 J2000 I found at a local junkyard. Originally Meyers ran one QD off it. Leaving one hose on the truck and one on the plow. I plumbed mine up so both hoses stay on the plow. I scored a very nice (no rot, pits or dents in the moldboard) Meyers ST7.5 power angle blade. It needs a cutting edge but has new uh...sticks (whatever they are called on the ends of the blade!), both skids and a fresh(crappy) coat of Safety yellow. Only paid $152.50 for it on the bay.

I still need to make a bracket to move the pump about 1/2" forward and find a new place for my horn.

[Mikel]

Nice! I hope it doesn't get too exposed to the salt on the roads

[red mistress]

No rust ?

Thom as always

I don't know the first thing about snow plows.... but 63 looks like it's all set to earn its keep.

tire chains?

which bed is going to stay on the 63 ?

[Gambler68]

Frame reinforcement comes to mind

[KaiserMan]

It's not going to see much road salt, I'm just going to be doing my driveway with it. The most salt it will see is when I push snow across the street into a ditch.

That rust free Thriftside bed is on to stay (excpet for when I remove it to put the lift frame under it).

I don't tihnk frame reinforcements are needed. I've always heard they have weak front frames, but this has plowed all it's life (well, from 63-75 when it was parked anyway) and I don't see any evidence of frame damage.

My cousin came over and gave me a hand getting the blade out fro the 71. I need to move the mounting tabs in to fit the Jeep plow frame and run some falt stock from under the mount to the A-frame to reinforce the area.

Scored a Fisher style juction at the junk yard today. It's just a flat plate the two QD ends clip into, probably won't use it. But, it does have my 1/4" QD dust covers I need, so those will be going on tomorrow.

I'm also heading to Fleet Pride for some new u-bolts. I'm going to add a couple of leaves to the spring packs. This one still has the stock 6 leaf packs. Every other Jeep I've seen with a facotry plow has two AAL's. I think they where dealer added, and this being an early production truck it didn't get them when the plow was added.

[KaiserMan]

Bought, cleaned and installed a 60's vintage Signal Stat 4 lense (single bulb) rotating beacon. I'm into it for about $40 now. Loud, but it works nice and looks good. It's switched on by a toggle mounted in a Ford 4-way flasher toggle switch bracket.

I've got a cutting edge and bolt kit on order, so all I need to do is make a loner bracket to slide my pump forward, and move the mount points on the plow in to 17.5" on center.

[Rob z]

Nice set up. I love plowing

[KaiserMan]

Yeah it's fun as long as all I'm doing is my own place. Not sure how much I'd like it if I was going to start plowing for a living. That might get old. Wouldn't be doing it in the 63 either. Manual steering would get to be a pita real fast.

[twisted frame]

Nice! You've got a great jump on things by getting this stuff all set way before the snow flies. Great job getting all those parts together. The beacon is perfect.

[drlocke]

Thanks a lot for reminding me of snow right now...

But aside from that nice job, Thom!

If you're running a straight pipe exhaust just bear in mind that with some fuel systems such a vehicle can be cussid to start on cold mornings without the back pressure. It will pop and fart, but wear the battery down before it ever takes off....AMHIK...

[drlocke]

Yeah it's fun as long as all I'm doing is my own place. Not sure how much I'd like it if I was going to start plowing for a living. That might get old. Wouldn't be doing it in the 63 either. Manual steering would get to be a pita real fast.

Try steering a '59 FC-170 with armstrong gear. That is a J.O.B.--job! I haven't got any straight answers through web-surfing, but one source has the 226 Continental L6 weighing in at 1500lbs! I highly doubt it weighs that much, but it is certainly apt to be heavy. And the weight to bear on the axle is something else--especially with the plow out front.

You might wanna consider R&R upgrade to boosted steering.

The other thing about snow removal for income--as said by a wise--and unfortunately late--mechanic friend of mine--is that at least half of your cash intake needs to go in the glovebox for repairs, and any remainder to beans, butter and baby shoes....

[drlocke]

Nice set up. I love plowing

Well--assuming you are talking about snow removal--I hope you love it as much as I hate it. That way you'll be the happiest camper on Earth.

[mrtazwrench]

Frame reinforcement comes to mind

The last two I had my plow on had frame trouble, but it was in other end of the trucks from rust.

I have been doing some work on my 82 J20 plow truck, just some maintence issues left after an RnR of the seats and some floor patching.


My plow setup is very simmilar, full hyd was a factory dodge unit, runs off of a power steering pump with a can for extra fluid cut into the left fender, the origonal pump quit and grabbed a pump off of an 82 cherokee.

I like those cables on your control, I have 2 knobs with rods going to the valves under hood.

I have those dietz lights also, thinking of getting an extra set if the place on the bay still has them as I have broken the plastic park/turn lamps the 2 years I've had them on, had to have them since I swapped in a razor grille.

[KaiserMan]

The 63 originally had the rods (well rod as it was only power up) coming through the dash. I wasnted to use that style spool valve, bubt just didn't have the room for the control rods after adding power brakes.

The Fisher joystick is much nicer though. Much more precise and very easy to adjust.

[Gambler68]

Yeah it's fun as long as all I'm doing is my own place. Not sure how much I'd like it if I was going to start plowing for a living. That might get old. Wouldn't be doing it in the 63 either. Manual steering would get to be a pita real fast.

Still it may be worth setting up agreements with a couple neighbors close by (granted you talk to them) to plow em out. One good season would pay for the truck. I think it'd do fine if you got to it before the snow got too thick or icy. That thing would ROCK out here with the powder we get. though with my Cherokee and 33" MTs, 2 feet of snow=a parking spot

Funny..growing up in NE CT, all the construction guys would hang to the tools up in fall and plow all winter. Got bad there before I left New England with the slew of back to back light winters. Not sure what it's been like since I moved away in 1999..