2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission GM has new 4500/5500-Wake Up DC!!

[Wiredawg]

Fellow Rammers:



Just received my copy of Trailer Life where GM's new 2003 lineup is listed. They are offering a 4500/5500 aimed at the RV towing market. The 4500 will have GCVWR of 24,000 lbs and the 5500 will have a 26,000 GCVWR. Regular and crewcabs based on their Sidekick trucks.



DC should be offering this! They need to wake up and smell the coffee. There is a Dodge 4500/5500 market if they'd just look past their noses.



OK, I'm starting to cool off, but slowly. Anyone else wanna see a 4500/5500 too?



Wiredawg

 

[RADdodge]

Yes, and they are offering the Duramax and Allison too. I have a friend who is a Chevy man and towing is part of his living (big paving equipment). This year his brother bought a 3500 Chevy and is getting about 8-10mpg. He is not a happy camper. I suggested that my friend wait for the new 4500/5500 trucks to come out (since he won't buy a Dodge). Anyway, it will give Ford some competition (finally). I wouldn't think Dodge would/could ignore this. This has to be good news for the industry.

 

[zstroken]

ram 4000!!!

while i was in mexico I saw several ram 4000's I believe they were 10 bolt wheels, dual rear wheels, manual trans, not sure what engine was in them though. I looked like a regular second gen

 

[Mad Max]

Mexico Is Metric

In mexico the 1/2 ton is 2500, the 3/4 is 3500 and the 1ton is 4500. Not sure about the next gen, but I get down to Acunia periodically, I'll take a pic of a 4500 dually I see down there next time.



On the GM Note, lets see, the HD3500 has a GCVWR of nearly 22000, the 4500 est 24000 and the 5500 est 26000?

SURE A LOT OF MODELS TO COVER A 2 TON SPREAD?



"The park pawl function on the available Allison 1000 Series automatic transmission is designed to hold the full vehicle weight when the transmission is shifted into "park," and can hold Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWRs)(4) of up to 19,850 lbs. "



DC, BRING ON THE CREW CAB RAM 5500 WITH 19. 5" wheels!



Thanks



MaX

 

[jerryrigg]

!!UNCONFIRMED RUMOR!!

DISCLAIMER: This is unconfirmed!!



I don't remember where I heard this, don't know if it is for real or not!



DC was working on a 4500/5500 series Ram, however the idea was scraped. DC also owns Freightliner and it would be smarter in terms of cash for them to make the new truck, due to less retooling for the larger frames, axles and such. Therefore Freightliner is going to make a new light/medium duty pickup/chassis cab to compete with the Ford 450/550 with the 5. 9 and 8. 3. Will it look like a Ram, is it true, your guess is as good as mine.



-matt

 

[Mad Max]

I saw the Freightliner "Light Truck" thing too...

but not in the context of it ousting a heavier duty Ram... but that would be logical. The sketch looked a lot like a baby FL60. As long as it is something that doesn't require special registration or drivers licensing, as that can increase insurance cost as well as cost of ownership... I'd think about it.



UNLESS PACCAR BUILT ONE THROUGH KENWORTH OR PETERBILT, THEN SEE YA!



MaX

 

[clem]

Originally posted by Wiredawg

Fellow Rammers:



Just received my copy of Trailer Life where GM's new 2003 lineup is listed. They are offering a 4500/5500 aimed at the RV towing market. The 4500 will have GCVWR of 24,000 lbs and the 5500 will have a 26,000 GCVWR. Regular and crewcabs based on their Sidekick trucks.



DC should be offering this! They need to wake up and smell the coffee. There is a Dodge 4500/5500 market if they'd just look past their noses.



OK, I'm starting to cool off, but slowly. Anyone else wanna see a 4500/5500 too?



Wiredawg

You know GM makes a good 1/2 ton pick-up, but when you want one to work go some place else They have been saying we got our diesel fixed ! the gas burners cannot pass a gas station and nither can pass a repair dealer . Had My GM tower . Now I are back with the big boys . 11-12 mpg at 65mph towing a big 5th wheel. GM has a lot of die hard buyers . They must like pain

 

[jtisdale]

There is a couple more pictures here



http://www.dodgeram.org/ki4cy/ram_picts/Mexram.htm



This is from Fritz's web site.

 

[Mad Max]

Those dated Axles and Hubs must go!

Man you gotta watch a John Wayne movie to see pics of when that driveline was new.



LOL



MaX

 

[jtisdale]

Heavy Chevy

The only reason Chevy is building 4500's and 5500's is to compete with our 2500's and 3500's.

I wonder if they will offer our heavy duty cummins in their heavier trucks too, like Ford does. :-laf :-laf