Dodge 4500?

[Jeremiah]

Anyone got any news about a Dodge 4500 in the future, and if so, will it have a CTD or some other engine? Thanks in advance. A friend of mine is asking, so I thought I'd throw open the question.

 

[cwcox]

I just spoke with a fellow at Chrysler Customer Assistance (via email) regarding a larger Ram, his answer was that nothing official, or unofficial has been announced to him, he was hopeful that they would have an offering in the 4500/5500 class within the next two years. I don't know why DaimlerChrysler can't see the obvious solution... Rebadge a Freightliner M2 Business class truck as the Dodge 4500/5500/6500. They could also rebadge a Ram 2500/3500 as a Freightliner. I realise this may irk a few folks, me in particular, but Dodge needs to get into the medium duty market, and Freightliner could really use the exposure as well. The M2 is a great truck, with extended and real crew cabs available. Air ride rear suspensions, and Cat or Mercedes diesels. (I have no love for Mercedes, but they build a fine truck/engine). I have tried to get someone from DaimlerChrysler to hear me out on this- to no avail yet. So let's start the rumors flowing now. If every body starts asking about the new Freightliner/Dodge, then maybe it will happen. In the meantime, I'll atach a file of some pics I have worked up. Hope I can get the attachment to work!

 

[cwcox]

Here's a second image (if this works!). By the way- go ahead and copy these and pass them along if you'd like. Just remember it was C W Cox that started this ball rolling!

 

[Jeff Clark]

Now if I could get that in a 4 door with a dually bed on it.

 

[cwcox]

That's the beauty of the whole thing, Freightliner already offers this rig with an extended cab and a full crew cab. Just fab up a bed like the GM Kodiak and you'd really be cooking! Aside from training the dealer staff, the whole process can be done by changing the grille and a couple of name badges. Ala Sprinter vans. DaimlerChrysler should dive on this opportunity.

 

[Jeremiah]

Wow! Those pictures are awesome, especially the first one (black truck looking straight at you!). Thanks for the response, and I agree the truck fits into a needed niche. DC and manufacturers march to their own drummer, don't they? They go with what makes them money based on their own R and D and rarely listen to outsiders, especially if it means making drastic changes.



I have a friend who consulted for Cummins in the 1980s, then left and started his own company doing R and D for "camless" engines that don't pollute, etc. Today, his inventions are in the PowerStroke and peer-reviewed research papers are in all the trade magazines.



I don't know the full story, but it seems Cummins would have been better served had they kept him in their own fold.

 

[Ncostello]

I like the idea and think it looks neat... but why call a Freightliner by any other name? I was kinda looking for a 4500/5500 to look like a 3500 with some 19" wheels and jacked up a little higher.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Ncostello

I like the idea and think it looks neat... but why call a Freightliner by any other name? I was kinda looking for a 4500/5500 to look like a 3500 with some 19" wheels and jacked up a little higher.

I could send you a picture of my 3500 after I put 19. 5" wheels and taller tires on it (smile). Or maybe we could get DC to devise a chrome 4500 fender and tailgate emblems for those of us who do this to our trucks. Wouldn't that be a kick?

 

[cwcox]

Well fellas, for the most part, I agree, why call a Freightliner by any other name? But the issue over at DaimlerChrysler is that they are already at production capacity as far as truck building goes. Yes, they could squeeze some more out here and there, but adding a separate model into the mix, ie a medium duty Ram, just isn't feasable. Plus, add in the engineering expense, testing, and so on, and add that up with a new/revamped facility for production, and you can see where they aren't too excited about adding a moderate production vehicle. They already have trouble turning a profit. Rebadging the Freightliner as a Dodge, and maybe rebadging a 2500/3500 Ram for Freightliner is a low cost win/win for both companies. Freightliner had a pickup on the drawing board just before they were purchased by Daimler. The project was put on hold for a number of reasons. Dodge has toyed with a 4500/5500 for a while, but without the production capability, it's a moot point. This scenario provides each manufacturer a second, very lucrative market to tap into with their products, all at the cost of some grille, emblems, and dealership training. Pretty cheap way to get into a market, no? The process is already working with the Sprinter vans, but it's taking off slow- perhaps due to economy, new model to the Dodge folks, people resisting the Mercedes influence, or maybe the styling (ick!). The Freightliner M2 is a good looker, just like the Ram, and their styling even blends well together, making this scenario a natural. OK, I'll shut now! Keep dreaming, and I'll keep phoning the folks over at DC!

 

[DF5152]

they took that ugly van and put Dodge emblems on it so y not the other waya round... .

 

[ttreibel]

I will be spreading the rumor at my local Dealer tomorrow I think this could be fun

 

[cwcox]

Taking the rumor to the dealer

Excellent idea! Copy and print these pics and show them to the dealer. Give every dealer in your neighborhood a copy and ask them to "check into it". Detroit will be flooded with calls! I should have thought of that myself!

 

[Jeff Clark]

Originally posted by cwcox

But the issue over at DaimlerChrysler is that they are already at production capacity as far as truck building goes.

That's the same response they gave me back in 96 at the TDR rally in ST. Louis when I asked about a 4 door truck. They said no plant capacity for a truck with limited marketability. Now they don't have an extended cab because it's been replaced with a 4 door, and they're selling like hot cakes. If they really wanted to be in that market, they could be. I think the best way to do it is to rebadge a Freightliner and have the truck be larger than the 3500 like GM has done. It would make the F450/550 look tiny.



I gave up a F550 for a FL60 to pull the same trailer and it's a world of difference. A truck with that kind of towing capacity needs the ability for larger engine choices. I think a Dodge 5500 with the 8. 3 would be pretty cool.

 

[zack_76401]

I'm not a ford guy at all but I have seen a FORD like this running around saltlake with a Dually bed (off a f-350 i think) on it... ..... at the time made me wish i had a RAM built like that.....

 

[zack_76401]

better yet why not just put some PETERBILT badges on a 3500 and cram in a 8. 3Motor and a EATON10 speed w/ a splitter:--)

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Originally posted by zack_76401

better yet why not just put some PETERBILT badges on a 3500 and cram in a 8. 3Motor and a EATON10 speed w/ a splitter:--)

If you are gonna go that far, just get the 18 speed. You will probably stay under its rated torque.

 

[FATCAT]

NO, minimum of a ISM ... I will accept no LESS!!!

 

[zack_76401]

maybe a signature 6 with a pretty red paint job will do ya

 

[Jff24Gordn]

If you are gonna try to fit a ISX, why not a QSK?? 19 liters of inline 6 power rated out to around 1000hp stock instead of that puny 15 liters in the sig 600.

 

[C. Harlan]

Now if I could get that in a 4 door with a dually bed on it.

Swalby does all the conversions with stuff like that. . They can take a Pete 330, and stretch it out to be a 4 door, with sleeper behind it... I have a pic of myself sitting in one, PM me with an email address if you want some pics. .

better yet why not just put some PETERBILT badges on a 3500 and cram in a 8. 3Motor and a EATON10 speed w/ a splitter

Dude... just make it a 600 Kitty Cat with a Super 13 Double over. . Problem solved. 15. 8 liters (967 c. i. ) of motor!



I love my Cummins, but miss the old KT450's and the 'old school' motors. . yes, I may be young, and most of these are before my time, but I was fortunate enough to pilot a few old big cam motors, and there is no comparison to today's motors. Yes, the new generation of motors are nice, but I miss the old stupid pumped motors! Oh well, just my $. 02 worth.



-Chris-