Drive axle spring-pack 4500 vs 5500

[HBarlow]

I drove both and they a just dang scary @ 70-75 MPH on the innerstate without a bed.

Burner:



Since you drove both the 4500 and 5500 would you give us a brief discussion of your opinion of ride quality of each?



I realize the trucks you drove were unloaded and didn't even have a bed to soften the ride but in your opinion is a 4500 too stiff and "truck-like" for a private owner to use as a combination daily driver and personal fifth wheel puller?



Harvey

 

[Cattletrkr]

Top truck -- 3 springs in the clamp, 5 underneath

Bottom truck -- 3 springs in the clamp, 4 springs underneath

The 4th spring from the bottom is different.

 

[CUMMINZ]

5500 4. 88 test drive today



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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.



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

 

[Burner]

The 5500 had 4:88 gears and the 4500 had 4:44 gears. Honestly, I thought the 5500 had a better ride... but it's REALLY hard to tell without any weight on it. Heck, it could have been the tires, I doubt it but it's a possibility. I think that a set of air-bags and the right bed might make it bearable. Basicly, it's just like an F-550.

 

[Dishman Dodge]

45/5500 Springs

Here's the pictures I promised, highlighted is an extra spring/spacer on the 5500. The most important difference is the payload ratings. 5500 is from 10,570lbs. to 11,980lbs. 4500 is from 8,150lbs to 8,960lbs. depending on the Cab to Axel and Standard or Quad Cab.

Rob Croswhite

 

[NIsaacs]

I still can't see the difference, eight main and two aux. both trucks



Is the difference in rating, the springs or the axle itself?





"NICK"

 

[Burner]

I took some inside pics... ...

 

[edmeyers]

how is that short spring going to make a difference it barley hangs over the spring pearch