Why no 4X4 Medium Duties?

[FATCAT]

How come I never see any 4X4 Medium Duty trucks. Seems to me that there might be a market for 4X4: FL 60/70, Internation 4700/4900, Kenworth T300, Pete 330, and Sterling Acterra trucks.

Something in the 28K - 33K GVW size.



Is it that no one makes front drive axle for trucks of this size? The military has them.



Just seems to me that all this one-upsmenship by the big three each year or two is becoming a little tiresome. It would be nice to purchase something that would be more than big enough to pull the biggest 5th wheel trailer, never have to worry about the weight of stuff in the bed, and not have to depend on aftermarket items to squeek out some more power to do the job (risking damage to transmissions and drivelines).



I can only wonder what it would be like if Pacar or Kenworth got into the "pickup truck" game in the early '90. A nice 330 or T300 with a ISL/M or Cat in the 300-400 hp range with real truck transmissions and suspensions, real crew cab ... with 4/6-wheel drive! (single axle DRW rearend) ... something that would definately be overkill and you would never have to worry about overtaxing it.



Just think of it ... the day you go down to the dealership to pick up the new truck you ordered ... a red Pete 330 ISL 7-speed 350hp 4X4 crewcab with 12' dump bed, chrome stacks & grill, etc... . You'd probably have to bring an extra pair of pants and underware with you for the moments just after you get the keys from the dealer.



Man, Pacar or Kenworth would be cleaning up by now!!!

 

[R.E. Miller]

International 4800

The International 4800 is a 4X4. They are a bit pricey, and max out at 60-65 mph. I think Ford will make you one, at least they did a few years back. These vehicles are some what limited use, and I guess the manufacturers just don't want the extra overhead of another line of just 4X4's The 4X4 option is great to have when you need it!



Russell

 

[Cummins4Life]

There is a company called Teton Trucks, I could never find their web-site. But they make somthing along those lines, it looks like a small classic style Kenworth with a bed and a single rear axle. They are 4x4 and the one I saw had a cummins 6bt and an allison transmission. The guy uses it for farming but he also named it the beast and has used it for Tractor pulls in my home town. I wish I could give you more info. I hope somone else knows more about these trucks and can give some specs.

 

[NVR FNSH]

uh, cost... ..... People already **** & moan about how much their 3/4 or 1 ton truck costs imagine what a low volume model like what you described would cost. Also, most of us drive our trucks every day - I don't think a true medium duty 4wd would be much fun to drive on a daily basis.



Brian

 

[MUDDY]

over 20,000 bucks to convert a medium duty to 4wd

 

[dan_gilson]

Humm... .

That unimog sort of sounds like it fits the bill. It is a little lighter but I seem to remember that the gvw was around 24K lbs. I know it is not 32K lbs but I think 24K lbs qualifies it for being a meduim duty. I don't think you could beat it on 4x mode.

 

[FATCAT]

Low volumn ... ?

NVR FNSH,

I think a truck like I described (or a little smaller); though probably twice the cost of a new 1-Ton Dodge with all the options; would be a big hit. Especially with the emergency vehical, utility crew, large RV & trailer crowds. I believe that you would have a truck that would easly outlast 1-tons by a factor of 2, thus obsorbing the hefty initial cost.



I could see cities and towns go after units like these over F450/550's and Chevy 3500-HD's. Also, I think that with the increased volume of sales, the price would not be in the 70+K range. And I'm sure that comfort can easly be assured by the manufacture since long-haul truckers demand and get that in the big rigs.



I wouldn't consider this truck to be your everyday vehical (I have an old 1990 Crown Vic for most of my commuting), but it would be nice to have a well build truck that I know I could get some 12+ years of use from it.

 

[damon_achey]

sure slow poke

Originally posted by dan_gilson

Humm... .

That unimog sort of sounds like it fits the bill. It is a little lighter but I seem to remember that the gvw was around 24K lbs. I know it is not 32K lbs but I think 24K lbs qualifies it for being a meduim duty. I don't think you could beat it on 4x mode.

Problem with them is that most top out at 55 mph which I think would be unacceptable to most people.

 

[Ted Constantine]

Dan, I think the Unimog is right on. Aren't they selling them with freightliner badges now or soon. But Damon is right you are not winning any races in a mog.

 

[dan_gilson]

I would think that the top end issue would be one that they would have to change to be able to market it here in the states.



Another option that I can think of would be to convert a Duce. A buddy of mine who is in the California Guard picked one up after the gaurd's transportation budget got axed. I think he said that he paid around $3500 from surplus. It seems a little underpowered. Also you would want to convert the cab from open air AND PUT IN A LOT OF SOUND PROOFING IN. You are required to wear hearing protection when operating.



The neat thing about his situation is that he uses the truck only on gaurd fuctions and they do all the maintenance.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Unimog makes my point - ever checked the price on one? I think the version Freightliner is selling is ~$90K - base price. I may be off on the price but I remember choking when I read it somewhere.



Brian

 

[dan_gilson]

From this: http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/unimog.html

it looks like it will be priced starting around $80K. The article is a good read. I did not know about their incredible towing ~85tons in a pinch (not rated for highway).



Also check out: http://www.2bigbroncos.org/special/unimog2001/



Price wise I still think a Duce is better when you compare price/performance. It is hard to beat tandem dual in the back for carrying things. The Duce's non-turbo diesel really sucks in terms of performance though. I bet I could swap in a 6BT or ISB and be very happy.

 

[Sageair]

I put about 50,000 miles on an International 4800 series 4x4 with the DT 466 I-6 turbo diesel. It was a really really nice truck. It was geared such that it hit the governor at 63 m. p. h. I believe it was turning 2700 r. p. m if memory serves me right. The DT 466 had so much torque that even in four wheel drive HIGH range it would run out of traction before running out of power. This was a six speed Allison auto. The truck was equipped with a Telsta aerial lift (cherry picker) and weighed 27,000 lbs. The four wheel drive and low range were engaged via dash levers that drove air actuators. I really liked that truck and never had any troublr with it. Chain that baby up and it was awesome in the snow. Not so good in deep mud,just to freakin heavy. Mileage averaged about 8 m. p. g I really would have liked to drive it or one like it that was lighter say with a flat bed.

 

[SEmerson]

Sounds like a dream to me. We cant even get 4 REAL door. But it would have a market

 

[tgbol]

IHC builds its own 4x4's, But F*rd and GM send theirs out to be converted.

 

[bkokotovic]

4WD GM

i was browsing through and this post intregued me. Just so you know, GM will be introducing a Medium duty 4WD. Built in Flint, MI in the same assembly plant as the GM Heavy Duty (3/4 ton and 1 ton).

 

[Bill Stockard]

International not only builds factory installed 4x4, but a full 4 door crew cab at the factory. They also build a factory all wheel drive medium duty trucks with tandem driving rear axles and a driving front axle. I sold several to the local utility companies both in standard and crew cab models when I was in truck sales.



Bill

 

[WOWZY]

I found a pretty cool link to some GM military



http://www.gmmilitary.com/products.htm





#ad

 

[FATCAT]

Hummmmm ........

Now if Pacar could make a single axle version of that truck in their Peterbilt 330 line, I would just have to go right out and buy one.

 

[illflem]

Here's a link to an article that seems to indicate there is a good market for medium duty trucks. Doesn't mention 4x4s though. Our Cummins get pretty high marks at the bottom of the page. #ad