The Year Is: 1989

The year is 1989. You're a snow plow contractor and you've been noticing an uptick in the number of people with smaller lots and driveways that your full sized pickup doesn't fit in so well. You hate to turn down good business, but your current solution is lacking in traction.

You decide to try a midsized or smaller SUV for these smaller jobs and see how it works out. Besides, you still have your full sized truck for big jobs so it's not like this one is going to be clearing any airport runways or anything. But then again, that is a lot of square footage...

1989 Toyota 4Runner

1989 Suzuki Sidekick

1989 Range Rover

1989 Nissan Pathfinder

1989 Mitsubishi Montero

1989 Land Rover Discovery

1989 Jeep Wrangler

1989 Jeep Wagoneer

1989 Jeep Cherokee

1989 Izusu Trooper

1989 GMC Jimmy

1989 Geo Tracker

1989 Ford Bronco II

1989 Dodge Raider

1989 Chevrolet Blazer

1989 Toyota Land Cruiser

I had an '88 Bronco II 4x4 for 6 years, but if I had to do it over again I would have preferred a Cherokee or Wagoneer. (the Bronco was free, so I couldn't complain much)

Edited September 5, 201212 yr by Cubical-aka-Moltar

Given the benefit of hindsight (and having been a plowing contractor in 1989), if I were going to get a compact/midsize plow vehicle it would be a Jeep.

A Jeep Comanche pickup, that is.

Given the benefit of hindsight (and having been a plowing contractor in 1989), if I were going to get a compact/midsize plow vehicle it would be a Jeep.

A Jeep Comanche pickup, that is.

And risk this happening?

I think not!

Given the benefit of hindsight (and having been a plowing contractor in 1989), if I were going to get a compact/midsize plow vehicle it would be a Jeep.

A Jeep Comanche pickup, that is.

And risk this happening?

I think not!

That looks like a Chevy w/ the tilt bed...

How did they manage to do that?!!!

I just can't get over that, the force required...

The Chevy probably had a rusted out frame in a salty Rust Belt state.

Those frames rarely rust out - they are seriously beefy, and the bodies go first.

No, something else went on here.

Um... the Comanche was a unibody pickup, I srsly doubt it would have folded like the Cheverlay in the photo.

I'd pick the Wrangler, with 6 cylinder and hardtop. Very maneuverable in tight spaces with a plow.

The 4.0 is a good engine for plowing with its torquey nature, I just think the Comanche/Cherokee are a more useful wrapper for it than the Wrangler.

EDIT: But the Wrangler would still be on my top 3 list here.

Edited September 6, 201212 yr by Camino LS6

Also having plowed a few winters on residential property, I would go for the shortest vehicle- the Wrangler.

Short is good, but weight distribution isn't so great with a Wrangler. And, from the ones that I've driven, being behind the wheel of one for any length of time is something of a miserable experience.

Given the choice, my choice for the ultimate driveway machines are full-size Blazers, and Broncos (Tahoes and Yukons too).

They have all the brawn of a full-size truck, but in a tidier package.

The Jeep please.....

How did they manage to do that?!!!

They forgot to fasten the running boards to the back of the cab and front of the bed, so when they put the salt spreader on...

How did they manage to do that?!!!

They forgot to fasten the running boards to the back of the cab and front of the bed, so when they put the salt spreader on...

I think you are onto something (all joking aside) - there had to be a huge amount of weight in the back for this to happen. That is a large salt spreader, and there seems to be a big pile in the bed.

A big pile? Hmmm... I see no Fisker back there...

I would take the Jeep Wrangler, no questions asked. As Camino said, they can be a miserable vehicle in terms of ride quality and build quality, but they are a hoot in the summer with the top off.

I still want one...

Wagoneer. 4.0L inline six + deluxe accomodations. Front end ensemble reminds me of my old '65 Ambassador.

Probably wouldn't mount a plow onto my spiffy '89 Wagoneer anyway...would use my JD 3020 with excellent hydraulics instead.