Looked at a Chevy 5500 4X4 ... wow! Help me!

[FATCAT]

Had some time after work today and stoped by Dobles Chevy in Manchester NH to kill some time. I looked at a new 5500 4X4 (reg. cab only, I would only want a Crew Cab) with a nice dump body and all I can say is ... WOW it was a nice rig. This is something that I really could use. The frame on the thing is massive. The options like air brakes and front seats. I can't believe its only rated for 19,500. Looks like it could easly be rated for 26,000.



I have to say the body style is very nice, big mirrors, big everything!



Of corse I was decended upon by a salesman to see if I had any questions.

I went inside to get out of the heat and pick up some info. An older salesman was there also, sitting at his desk ... I kind of felt like Luke with the Emperor sitting there and Vader at my back conjoling me to the "Dark Side".





Well, since GM is giving everyone the "Employee Discount" now (probably because they won't have too many employee's in the near future), I just had to go take a look at one, and the 5500 4X4 I saw with the dump body AND snow plow setup was ONLY $53,000 ... what a deal!



The brochure gives GVW and engine/transmission options, but no tow capacities.

Does anyone know what the towing capacity would be for the GMC/Chevy 5500 4X4?



I'm suprised that you can only get the 300hp/590 tq V8 Duramax in this thing. It should come standard with the Duramax 7800. Also you can only get the ZF 6 speed and not a Eaton/Fuller 6 speed. I have to say that that is a week spot on the truck, but then I did'nt drive it. Maybe driving one would change my mind.



I know I have been saying to my self that I will keep the old rust bucket another 3 or so years. I was about to order a NV5600 upgrade transmission for my current truck, but the wife went nuts about the price "$6,000+ for a new transmission in that old thing!!! Run it till it blows up then just get it fixed".

Well, there was no justifying the transmission.



Anyway, that 5500 was sure a nice rig ... I feel like I'm slipping into that state of new-truck-itis like in the article in the latest TDR Mag. I'm starting to try to justify a new truck, why I "need" a new one.



DAM! When the heck is DC gonna make a 4500/5500 !!!!!!!



I need help.

 

[Yo Hoot]

They ride terrible. Power sucks.

 

[nickleinonen]

i thought you could get the 5500's with the inline6 duramax... ???

 

[FATCAT]

i thought you could get the 5500's with the inline6 duramax... ???

Not according to their brochure. The inline 6 Duramax is available inthe 6500 - 8500. Too bad, I think that that engine is what should be standard in the 4500/5500 trucks.

 

[Bertram65]

Went by there today, they do have a ton of medium dutys, my buddy has a 5500, says the power is great, it has some real pulling gears in it, 5. 13s I think. He loves it. Went across the scales at the local stone yard at like 24k lbs, said the truck was not even down that much, could hardly tell a load was there.

If you have chance go by the Home Depot just down the street from Dobles Chevrolet they have a new Super Duty F350 crew cab there, Armillo edition, it is awsome, 20" wheels, only comes in the crazy yellow color like the truck in the Toby Kieth video, makes my truck look small, all kinds of cool chrome and a black leather interior. Not a Ford fan but that truck is one of the coolest I have ever seen, had me thinking.

 

[FATCAT]

Bertram65, maybe tomorrow after work I'll stop by the Home Depot and look for the Ford.



I did see that the 5500 in 4X4 does NOT have the manual transmission as an option. Only the automatic ... so that makes the 5500 NOT an option for me ... too bad it is a nice truck.



Why does GM give you only one option on these things ... maybe this is one of the reasons no one is buying their cars/trucks.

 

[master1578]

The options like air brakes and front seats.

Front Seats? :--) I guess they're really making strides over there aren't they :-laf











Sorry, I couldn't help myself...