My 2009 5500 is finally here!! With Pics....

[HardcoreDiesel]

The new truck finally got here so now it's time to get the bed mounted and start with the mods! :-laf My poor old 2007 will be glad to give up the heavy towing duties for sure.

 

[HardcoreDiesel]

Oopps....uploaded the wrong pics in the opening post!

The new 5500. .

 

[RVTRKN]

Nice rig, oh and the towing rig W/trailer is also nice. I noticed that you have a same color 3500 bed on the side of your rig, is that for the 5500? With the 5500 being a SLT what options did you get with it. Sort of like my 3500 SLT QC C&C, which has NAV and U connect W/sat. It was real hard to find something like that when I was searching for a C&C in late 06, so I had to order mine. I also like your choice, going with the G56 as mine has, It is a really good trany for pulling grades and with your 4:44 rear it will be a beast compared to my 3:73. Don't get me wrong, I like my 3:73 gears, but my work load is a lot less than yours will be. I hope your rig will be as trouble free as mine has been. No DPF issues as of yet (knock on wood) and the MPG is not as bad as I thought it would be, considering we have a potato in our exhaust. :{

 

[HardcoreDiesel]

You are correct..... that is a new bed I bought to install on the 5500. As for options I ordered it with everything but the auto and electronic 4WD. I can't bring myself to own an automatic or the electronic transfer case. I'm actually going to take the heated leather seats and a few other little things out of my 3500 which is a Laramie and put them in the 5500 so when I'm done I'll have the truck I couldn't order but always wanted! Now I just have to start praying someone will make a limited slip for that big front Magna axle... ... I can't wait to get it done so I can see just how well it tows with those 4:44 gears and the exhaust brake along with the 15" brake rotors... ... should stop a whole lot better.

 

[RVTRKN]

Maybe you can post the steps W/pics on the bed conversion. I won't need it, but there are a lot of members here who would be interested. That has been a major negative issue with the 4500 & 5500 trucks, but at least we now have a choice of a heavy duty truck better than a 1 ton. I imagine when the economy turns around Dodge will have the bed option available.

 

[HardcoreDiesel]

Once I get home from being gone this next week I am going to be talking with the guys (Clint) at Innovative Customs Mega Cab Long Bed, Auto Part Design & Fabrication | Innovative Customs - Innovative Customs again. They have done this for another customer already and from the pictures I have seen on their work in Diesel Power Magazine doing Quad Cab-Long Bed Conversions I am very impressed in their fabricating abilities. I'm not looking forward to driving from Iowa to Utah to get it done but I tend to go the extra mile for quality work that they seem very capable of. Heck who knows maybe we can get a complete photo/write up done for the TDR magazine.

 

[RVTRKN]

That seems to be a good choice, I read the article in the Diesel Power as well and made me wish I bought the mega cab instead. The only problem would have been the money, for I did pay cash for my C&C and after the truck + bed + installation I was slightly over budget :-laf. Documenting the fabrication for TDR would be something I would want to read.

 

[Matt400]

I can't wait to get it done so I can see just how well it tows with those 4:44 gears and the exhaust brake along with the 15" brake rotors.

Should be sweet, please share more pics with the bed change when you have them

 

[RVTRKN]

Should be sweet, please share more pics with the bed change when you have them

HardcoreDiesel, we need to see picks of your 5500 C&C W/bed. PLEASE!!!!

 

[stover]

So hardcorediesel, what are your plans for the 07? Keeping it? I am in the market for a truck identical to that.

 

[HardcoreDiesel]

HardcoreDiesel, we need to see picks of your 5500 C&C W/bed. PLEASE!!!!

Hows this?





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[HardcoreDiesel]

So hardcorediesel, what are your plans for the 07? Keeping it? I am in the market for a truck identical to that.

For now I plan on keeping the "Hot Rod" as my all weather tire burner!!

 

[stover]

Sounds great! That 5500 looks like a sweet ride

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks for posting the pics, it looks great. I was wondering about the gap between the cab and bed and it looks OK. If I were to do what you did, I would use the gap and design a auxiliary fuel tank that would be sort of hidden from view. It seems that you moved the bed off center from the rear wheel well towards the cab just enough to hide the gap. I like it!

 

[Popiol]

how is the ride?

 

[HardcoreDiesel]

how is the ride?

Definetly FIRM!! It does not bother me as my back is in good shape but I could see how it might be too much over a long drive with no load for someone with a bad back. So far my wife has not complained... ... . yet!

 

[HardcoreDiesel]

Thanks for posting the pics, it looks great. I was wondering about the gap between the cab and bed and it looks OK. If I were to do what you did, I would use the gap and design a auxiliary fuel tank that would be sort of hidden from view. It seems that you moved the bed off center from the rear wheel well towards the cab just enough to hide the gap. I like it!

Actually we had the center of the wheel opening marked to the C/L of the rear axle. I think the angle of the photo makes it look like its a bit forward. I'll have to find or take another photo from straight on the side to show you what I mean. Also, funny you mentioned putting a tank in the gap as I am going to have an aluminum tank made too but mine is going to be for water/meth to work with a Snow Performance kit.

 

[Popiol]

is it the 19. 5 tires or suspension? truck looks good.

 

[HardcoreDiesel]

is it the 19. 5 tires or suspension? truck looks good.

Honestly I'd say a little of both. I ran the tires at lower pressures when I first got it but it didn't really make a difference in ride quality. Thanks!

 

[SKehoe]

Hows the rear bumper coming along?