New Dodge 4500 and 5500

[02SilverStroke]

It looks like Dodge is finally "bellying up to the table" with bigger trucks: http://www.dodge.com/dodge_life/new...ife-news-truck_news-clean_diesel&type=textNav
Several months ago, I had sent an e-mail to the "Ask Dr. Z" link about this when they mentioned the new 3500 HD Chassis Cab. I asked them at the time if they were going to name it the 4500 rather than 3500 HD, but never got an answer (until now). Should be interesting to see how they hold up against the F450 and F550.

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

I was wondering when dodge was going to try to get in the heavy truck market. At the pumper show all the porta john trucks are 450's or 550's with about a 1500 gallon tank. GM products were scarce, which is a good thing.

 

[94f450sd]

with the track record of the dodges i dont see many being used for HD services.same with the GMs.i wont own a dodge or GM for a HD service vehicle.Ford only for me!!

its a shame the dodges are so bad.i know where there is a dodge wheel lift wrecker with a cummins in it for $4,000.00.comes with the few parts that it needs as well.but its a dodge

 

[02SilverStroke]

I think that Dodge will have a new transmission. Maybe that will make them a little better.

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

I heard of the name for the trans, but can't think of it. It sounded foreign.

 

[no-red 6 0]

AISIN?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I think.

 

[jvencius]

AISIN?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I think.

IIRC it's Aisen Sekai--not a brand I'm familiar with, but Dodge knows that they've got a lot riding on their Class IV/V venture (especially since they know that they're competing against the F450 and F550) and can't afford to put a complete heap-o-crap behind the Cummins. It's probably a good tranny, but I'll wait to see how it hold up in actual everyday service vs. test "service" conditions.

 

[Mike K]

We use a lot of Dodge and Ford vehicles here on base... it seems like they have completely different problems.

Dodge: Drive train holds up well, limited transmission problems. Now the body on the other hand is just falling apart. Door hinges, seats wearing out within a year, dashes falling apart, wiring harnesses burning up, etc.

Ford: Body is holding up really well, we have done little no work on the body and or chassis. All of our problems are coming from the 6.0L diesels.

If I was to get a service truck I would probably bump it up to a medium duty truck (F650) and go with the CAT or Cummins and skit the international engine all together.