Snow Deflector System Gets Pickup Through Drifts

Here's a new type of attachment for the front of your pickup that'll improve its handling in deep snow, on or off the road. Drift Deflectors are 15-in. long V-shaped blades with 3-in. heavy rubber buffer pads on bottom. They mount on pickup bumpers and are positioned to push snow away from front tires. A pair of heavy springs mounted behind the blades provides forward support when they're plowing snow and enough rear movement to allow objects to pass underneath. The assembly can be set out of the way when it isn't being used.

Installation takes about an hour and re-quires removing the pickup's air foil, says inventor David L. Miller, Watertown, S. Dak.

"They really work slick," Miller says. "When you're traveling in 1-ft. deep snow, they make it seem like you're only going through 3 in."

Miller's prototypes fit any 1988 through 1997 GMC and Chevy 1/2, 3/4 or 1-ton pickups as well as Tahoes, Yukons, full-size Blazers and Suburbans built from 1992 on. (He's designing the system for other makes and models of trucks and cars as well).

Miller plans to begin manufacturing the systems this winter.