5500 4.88 test drive today

[CUMMINZ]

Well I finally found several 4500/5500 on a lot today. As I totally suspected the entire design of frame has followed the 3500 chassis cab model. Just heavier. The model that I drove was a 5500 2 dr. 2wd. As I expected this truck is a brick. You feel absolutly every worm in the road. Don't dispare, once you put a bed of anykind on it it should tame the ride a little. THIS IS NOT A DAILY DRIVER, THIS IS NOT A PART TIME RVer dream truck. Unless you are towing a rig of any kind with over 16-18k GVW - do not buy this truck. A new 3500 will do you fine. For you drivers that are going to have over 4500 pin load this is the truck for you. If you are under 4000 do not buy this truck. This truck will beat your RV to pieces. Trust me now not after you have already ruined your 5er.



This truck has awsome brakes and springs, if you are towing much greater than what we pions are towing this is a truck for the 30-40k incrowd.



Remember one thing, this truck is the size of a 3500- it has heavier frame, etc. but is still the size of a pickup truck. Due to the mear size of a Ford 650 or Chevy 5500 (bigger body, etc) a large load will be handled by a larger truck better. I think a DC 5500 will handle the 30-40k but I think that 30-40k will still man handle you more than it will a Ford 650 size truck.



Just my thoughts. If I had a 37-42 foot widebody 5er I might consider one of the brutes. :-laf



The truck handled the 4. 88s well but I would either swap the 225s for 245s (taller) or I would purchase the 4. 44s...

 

[jelag]

I've just got my extra 80 gal tank installed on mine and the doors came into for the box... I'm hoping to have my new 5500 on the road by the end of the year...

Photo's of the tank to follow...

Every thing Cumminz says about the ride is true... he didn't mention the new seats... . which I think are a better product and better covers... almost like a Carhart coat material... .

BTW we are installing water trap and 2 micron filter on this truck and all the others as well... . and we'll install (2) 1 qt transmission filters to keep the fluid clean and add extra cooling with the extra capacity... .

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

CUMMINZ what did you think of the engine, gearing and shifting?

 

[CUMMINZ]

The engine did not seem to have the pep that my 350hp engine has. But with the gearing I think it will do well with 30k load. The 4. 88 is a little low for me. The shifting was great.

 

[RVTRKN]

The engine did not seem to have the pep that my 350hp engine has. But with the gearing I think it will do well with 30k load. The 4. 88 is a little low for me. The shifting was great.

Thats because it has 45 less HP than your 6. 7, I believe you know that, I'm just letting the masses know.



Is the frame the same gage/size, but the axle has a greater capacity?

 

[16919]

I thought that was for the manual only... . ? 305hp for the man and 350 for the auto... . are all c&c 305hp?

 

[SNiebaum]

all C&C trucks are 305 hp

 

[CUMMINZ]

RV I was aware of that and I am glad you brought out that point. I had heard DC de-tuned the C&C models for longevity and reliability.

 

[SNiebaum]

RV I was aware of that and I am glad you brought out that point. I had heard DC de-tuned the C&C models for longevity and reliability.

I think there is also an emissions component in there... the emissions system on the C&C seems far less troublesome and presumably less complex. Having not looked at any 6. 7L, I couldn't speak to that as truth though.

 

[CUMMINZ]

The CAT/DPF on c&c's are one piece. Regular pickup models are 2 piece.

 

[RVTRKN]

The CAT/DPF on c&c's are one piece. Regular pickup models are 2 piece.

That is correct and I think is the reason for DPF full codes that D/C keep trying to reprogram for, plus I'm sure there's more soot with the higher HP.

 

[Dishman Dodge]

Great thread, thanks Cummins I couldn't have said it better myself.