Test drove 2008 F-450

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'm just telling you what I took from the press intro and interviews. Towing was not a big consideration - RV or commercial. They were targeting roll backs (tow trucks), dump boxes, etc. People who needed a high GVWR but not necessarily a high tow rating.

 

[JohnCarr]

I have a 2000 F550 with the 4. 88 and it defenatley out pulls and out stops my 3500. The only problem is that you are pushing the red line at 75mph and only getting 8mpg.

 

[cojhl2]

I thought there was supposed to be some similarity in specifications between manufacturers when using number like 35__ 45__ 55__ etc.



Is this not true?. Are we going back to the days of those wierd Chevy numbers that did not match Ford, and I have no idea what Dodge had? Please don't say it's true.

 

[CUMMINZ]

John,



Like I said earlier we don't get something for nothing. We will pay the price for a truck that pulls more.

 

[RustyJC]

Like I said earlier we don't get something for nothing. We will pay the price for a truck that pulls more.

The 6-speed automatics with the higher overdrive ratios (lower numerically) ought to help with the lower axle ratios. Then again, with 4. 10 gears, I'm used to 2350 RPM @ 70 MPH. :{



It's a shame Dodge didn't introduce the truck with competitive GCWRs vis-a-vis the new Ford F-450 and F-550 models. If the 6. 4L pans out, Ford's gonna make a killing with the F-450 pickup selling to heavy RV owners as well as the triple slant with living quarters and tack room "horsey set".



Rusty

 

[cojhl2]

John,



Like I said earlier we don't get something for nothing. We will pay the price for a truck that pulls more.

You are right CUMMINZ, I just thought there was an agreement between gentlemen that when the spec were set, the model number would make apples to apples easier to compare.



You know Binders had K5, K6, K7, then went to KB5, KB6, KB7 etc. Ford was F1, F2, F5, F6 and like that. Then Int went to L__ numbers then R__ numbers. All the time Ford then went to the F100 the later F150.



Later on Chevy picked up this scheme, then Dodge with the 150, 250 etc.



All the while you knew what size class the vehicle fit into. Now it looks like a mess if a Dodge 5500 does not match a Ford 550.



Well anyway I'm rambling about something which I cannot fix, just ***** I guess.

 

[CUMMINZ]

FYI - you can't get 4. 10's in the 5500. It will come with 4. 44's with manual transmissions and 4. 88's with auto's. It has a 26k GCVWR as well (same as the 4500) - you can read all about the 4500 and 5500 with detailed specs here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/07chicagoprelease/

**********************************************

Below info off Allpar.com is where I got info for the 4500/5500 with 3. 73/4. 10 gears.





Manual G56 six-speed manual Aisin AS68RC six-speed

PTO Capable Standard mounting, L/R mounting, 35 HP max

1st Gear 5. 94 3. 74

2nd Gear 3. 28 1. 96

3rd Gear 1. 98 1. 34

4th Gear 1. 30 1. 00

5th Gear 1. 00 . 77

6th Gear 0. 74 . 63

Reverse 5. 42 3. 54

Notes Electronically controlled overdrive

lockout, converter clutch Synchronized in all gears

Overall Top

Gear Ratio 2. 42 with 3. 73 axle ratio; 2. 67 with 4. 10 axle ratio

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Those axle ratios were errors in the press release - that happens all the time when they copy an existing document for a new press release. The ratios I gave were given to me by the engineers that I interviewed - he was very surprised when I told him what was in the press release.

 

[Mhannink]

has it occured to any of you that the lower gears are better for these trucks. think about this, these trucks are always working, at least thats the target audience. say your trying to move 25k pounds. those lower gears are gonna make it much easier for the truck to take off. plus the laws say that at least in CA that you have to drive 55 max. the gearing in these trucks along with the tire size puts these trucks around 2000 rpm at 55. thats a good spot for the motor to run. in all it works perfect for these trucks. so i dont know what ya'll are complaining about the low gears.

 

[DRadzierez]

has it occured to any of you that the lower gears are better for these trucks. think about this, these trucks are always working, at least thats the target audience. say your trying to move 25k pounds. those lower gears are gonna make it much easier for the truck to take off. plus the laws say that at least in CA that you have to drive 55 max. the gearing in these trucks along with the tire size puts these trucks around 2000 rpm at 55. thats a good spot for the motor to run. in all it works perfect for these trucks. so i dont know what ya'll are complaining about the low gears.

Your right. I have 2 f-550's and they both have 4:88's. They suck on the highway (77 mph wound tight) and 7-8 mpg. But they both have awsome pulling power. Used comercialy our trucks are loaded close to gross every day,so they work great for us. How many times the pieces of junk have been in the shop-----too many times to list. We have one that has been back for warnty 26 times. We have 2 full time mechanics and maintain our trucks perfectly and ford says well you guys realy work these trucks----DAAA we would have bought f-150 if we was gonna do nothing but drive around. We work them but do not over load them beyond there specs.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Dr

I think most of the complaining has been about the low GCVW not the gearing. I have been proudly boasting my 4. 10s over the 3. 73s for several years. Most of my towing is in the mountains of NC.

 

[Matt400]

Anyone curious to learn more on the engine click here for a 14 page pdf overview

 

[PWitteveen]

I was in Texas earlier this week and my brother test drove one of the new Ford F450's. Nice truck, but it lacks the power of his 7. 3 or the Cummins. He thought it was a dog compared to his 99 Ford. He also test drove an 07 Dodge 3500, but it doesn't have the tow rating to pull his fifth wheel (17,000 lbs. ). I suggested since he wasn't in a rush to buy to wait until the new Dodge 4500 was out. He would like a truck with a tow body in back instead of the pickup box anyway.

 

[JasonCzerak]

What a mess.



Do I see a "throttle body" on page 11?

 

[Rockcrawler]

33k gross?



While I guess it's commendable that they attained a high rating and feel and document the truck is safe doing it- many peeps will not be happy.



I've got over 50k miles in my Toter now and we go down the road at about 28-29k with the race trailer. It's got a cat 3126 with an Edge box and air filter, 6 speed, 920 ft lbs. It'll run 85 but we spend a lot of time at 68- 72 for mileage improvements. 2k is 76mph. I consider my setup "adequate"



I can't imagine the ford with 650 ftlbs and the screamin 4. 88's, what it'll do and what it'll do well are two different things. Kinda like an MDT with a 366 gasser- it'll get it done, if you've got a week and a good credit card for the gas.

 

[Grizzly]

What a mess.



Agreed, sure make you appreciate our Cummins that much more.

 

[CUMMINZ]

problems

I spoke to our fleet supervisor this week. He tells me the problem with the new powerstroke is with the crank. Some how it is loosening up and moving rearward and placing some type of pressure of transmission hookup and causing breakage. Go figure. :-{}

 

[MCummings]

What a mess.



Do I see a "throttle body" on page 11?

Uhm, Yes.





Merrick

 

[JasonCzerak]

6.7

Looking at the new 6. 7, looks cluttered there to, not as much as the ford of chevy, but lots of new stuff

 

[Grizzly]

My brother-in-law is planning on ordering an 2008 F350 SRW 6. 4 powerjoke. Nothing I can say to convince him to look at Dodge/Cummins. He's a die hard ford man and hates those rattle trap Dodge.