4500 with a factory bed?

[Scooby]

Is there no option for a 4500 series truck with a factory bed? (Like a Ford?)

Is there an aftermarket company making factory-looking beds for 4500 C&C trucks?

 

[AfterBurner]

Warner bodies does a bed for dodge md trucks. Some dealerships will have them on the lot with a bed, but they do not come from the factory with a bed, it's an aftermarket add on-

Warner Bodies



I think you'll find the f-450 with the bed is not really an f-450. Not completley sure of all the details, but I know right off that the 450s with a bed come with 17" tires not 19. 5" so to me that says that it's not built the same or intended to do the same work as a true C&C 450



Forrest

 

[CUMMINZ]

All DC 4500/5500s have flat bed rails where the 1500-3500 pickups have a curve in the frame. It can be done.

 

[Scooby]

Warner bodies does a bed for dodge md trucks. Some dealerships will have them on the lot with a bed, but they do not come from the factory with a bed, it's an aftermarket add on-

Warner Bodies



I think you'll find the f-450 with the bed is not really an f-450. Not completley sure of all the details, but I know right off that the 450s with a bed come with 17" tires not 19. 5" so to me that says that it's not built the same or intended to do the same work as a true C&C 450



Forrest

Aha! Thanks for the link..... this would be exactly what I was looking for!



Dear Santa... ...

 

[HBarlow]

Scooby,

Back in late '07 and early '08 when the cab and chassis trucks were new on the market there were posts and photos posted by members who were interested in or had pickup beds installed on 4500/5500 trucks. You should be able to find them with a search.

 

[Scooby]

Thank you Harvey..... I know I'm a long time member and should always do a search first..... Sometimes I forget about that! Note to webdesigners: Make the search button BIGGER!



I was actually looking for information on the current (new) body style and didn't see a posting about that in the 4th gen section.

 

[rscurtis]

Afterburner is correct, the new F-450 pickup has been de-contented from the previous version. I believe its only current claim to fame is that it retains the wide front axle of the 450, enabling a greater steering angle and the corresponding tighter turning radius.

 

[Scooby]

I know the f-450 also has different gearing..... 4. 3 : 1. Which is likely how they get to the higher towing capacities...

 

[CUMMINZ]

Afterburner is correct, the new F-450 pickup has been de-contented from the previous version. I believe its only current claim to fame is that it retains the wide front axle of the 450, enabling a greater steering angle and the corresponding tighter turning radius.

I have also heard Ford is no longer placing 19. 5s and the 110 rear end in the F-450 pickup.

 

[Scooby]

True - according to the website, the wheels are 17".

 

[PLefever]

All true, when my 08 F450 pickup was giving me so much trouble before buying the 4500, ford tried hard to sell me a 011 f450, trouble is, it has the same gvw as the f350, and as already stated, small tires, small axle, brakes are slightly bigger however. Ford only offers the true F450 as a cab and chassis, and it is detuned (like the 4500) but ford is so proud of the new engine, the cab and chassis is only warranted for 60k, all of which led me to return to dodge.



perry

 

[Scooby]

No more Warner truck beds for 4500's

Here's the response from Warner when I inquired:



With the low interest and body style change on the Dodge chassis we have discontinued the pickup bed.



Thank you,

Randy Smith

Warner Bodies

 

[HBarlow]

Any good welder/fabricator could cobble the brackets to mount a pickup bed on the cab and chassis.

The only things the bed conversion companies were doing that was better was cosmetic in nature.

They cut the bed and inserted an extension or fabricated a sheet metal filler panel to fit between the back of the cab and the front of the bed to hide the open space. The C&C frames are longer than the pickup beds.

They also did the finishing touches like providing a dressed out fuel fill neck access pocket at the rear street side of the bed to fill the rear mounted fuel tank.

Some cosmetic work may have to be done at the rear to mount a dually pickup bumper and conceal the frame ends.

I always thought flat beds and towbeds were ugly and didn't want one but I was determined to buy a C&C for the clear advantages so was willing to live with an aftermarket bed. They will grow on you if you make the same decision. I now like mine much better than a pickup bed. The practical advantages of a flat or tow bed are significant. Many of the well designed and manufactured aftermarket beds look pretty good.

Truck Beds, Accessories, Become a CM Truck Bed Dealer! Remolques para Caballo, Ganado, Cajas cerradas, Plataforma cama alta y cama baja, equipos especiales, refacciones,

 

[RustyJC]

HERE is another option.



Rusty

 

[Grizzly]

Scooby, I don't know why you want a 4500 over a 3500 dually and I know, it's none of my business, but if you don't need one, why get one. They ride rougher and geared higher, which means you won't get the economy of a 3500.



Just my thoughts, george

 

[CUMMINZ]

Scooby, I am certainly not trying to talk you out of a 4500 because they have their part in the market. Here is an option:



#ad




19. 5" 245s x 12 ply with six all aluminum wheels rated at 4000#s.

988 HD front springs

Goodyear air bags for a little better ride when fully loaded

4. 10 rear gears with 19. 5s give me less than 2000 rpms at 70mph

Oversize aluminum pans for both diffs and transmission

Sonnax High Performance Line Booster for 68RFE Transmission to give better shifts





This truck rides better than a 4500 and will handle what a 4500 will handle. I often gross 26k towing my 40 feet long 5er and have had no problems.

 

[HSohm]

Seems like you would have to consider the urea tank in any bed conversion on the new cab and chassis

 

[Scooby]

Point well taken and something I'm definitely evaluating... . I was trying to future-proof my next truck purchase for when we go up in 5er size/weight. I very likely will end up getting another 3500 dually and calling it a day - but I like to know what all my options are. I don't want to spend a minute second-guessing a $50-60K purchase!

 

[AfterBurner]

Check this one out-

 

[PLefever]

Thats just too cool, same thing I liked about my F450 pickup, just plain looks good



Perry