We all think of plow trucks as the most rugged vehicles on Earth. In addition, they are generally considered throwaway rigs when they enter plow service, even if said truck later becomes desirable. Over the years, I can think back to any number of local trucks used for plowing gas station lots and other commercial enterprises, and looking back, and how they rusted to pieces right in front of you. This 1988 Suzuki Samurai listed here on Facebook Marketplace is said to have a “factory plow” setup along with the optional hardtop, and the seller is asking $9,900.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Lothar… of the Hill People for the find. Those same trucks I remember from my youth being used for plow duty are now somewhat desirable. Ford Broncos, Chevy Blazers, Toyota 4Runners (first generation, with the removable top) and others were forced out into the salt-encrusted roads to ensure the rest of us could get to work or fill up our tanks. Those trucks have long become one with the Earth, but somehow, this Samurai has more or less survived. The seller reports there is “..under body rust” but we don’t see any photos of it. Thankfully, the exterior panels appear to be in good condition.
As far as the statement that it has a factory-supplied plow setup, that information is hard to confirm. It seems more likely that a dealer sold it as an accessory, rather than Suzuki trying to entice light-duty truck buyers to build a fleet of Samurais for clearing snow. However, one small detail stood out to me, which is why I’ve included a photo of a Suzuki Samurai I spotted in a salvage yard in Bristol, Rhode Island a few years ago. It has the same exact light set up, with the distinctive orange reflectors in the edge of each housing. If anything, it seems like there was a preferred plow setup for Samurai owners, but not necessarily one authorized by Suzuki.
If you can’t get out to Wisconsin to buy the Samurai for sale here, don’t worry: Rocky Road Outfitters will sell you a tidy plow setup for a Samurai closer to home, should you find one for sale. This actually looks like a ton of fun if you live where it snows and have a longer driveway to clear. The seller reports that he greatly enjoys taking the top off in the summer and use it for light-duty snow clearing in the winter. I’ve never thought of plowing as a fun activity for my hobby truck, but now, I’m intrigued. Have you ever had a plow truck that was a hoot to drive?
Wonder how this would have done with the 3′ of snow we got this past winter on Aquidneck…likely would have been a struggle.
My ’42 Jeep was fun to drive with it’s missile hydraulics and half of 55 gal drum plow with skids welded to the bottom. My partner had a long driveway and I had one that always was full of lake effect snow. Worked just fine.
As a second job, I pushed snow for over 30 years. I had a one ton truck and that truck took a beating, I can’t imagine what this thing has been through. I have never owned a Suzuki, but I can’t imagine these were well built.
These were well geared for offroad and snow. Fun fact if memory serves me correctly (at least fun for me): I was a bit skinnier then and fathered my first child in the bucket seat of one of these.