c4500 4x4 info...Test drove one

[chtucker]

Well I had to do my s-c duty and went and test drove a 05' chevy c4500 4x4.

Bottom line is AWESOME. The dealer only had 2 crew cab 184" wb models. Turning radius is sweet! I bet it is under 45' for the 84" and under 40' for the 152" wheelbase (Regular cab, 84" cab to axle.)

Comparing it to and F450/550, I think the Chevy is ALOT more truck. The truck is solid axle with leaf springs all around. Looks like the front diff is bigger than a DANA 70.

Specs are as follows (05 brochures don't even show 4wd as an option)

Gvw 17.5 GCW 26
front axle 7k rear akle 13.5k
PTO option (required for snowplow prep) add Rugged duty service Allison auto
Rear diff 5.13 ratio

Base truck $36216
Cloth
Split bench
Snow plow prep includes 3 batteries,stationary grill, 240 amp alternator
AC
Block heater
Duramax ($6,946:mad: !)
Idle control
40 gallon midship
Dashboard mounted tranny temp guage
Front tow hooks
Power windows,locks
Tilt Cruise
= 46,508 Sticker
Curb weight 8559lbs about 8,900 lb payload minus body, plow and stuff

Dealer is looking into 8' steel flat bed (lop off some of frame extensions) with integral headache rack.

Figure the bed will be about $1750 the dealer would sell for $42,000.

The truck sits ALOT higher than the 2wd trucks. Did not get it out on the road just did donuts in the dealers lot. There are a ton more choices (seating, air brakes, interior and such)

Based on the turning radius, even the crew cab would be a usefull plow truck.

I think that I might have to become the longest distance Jerre's customer for an 8611.

Howard

[cat320]

Howard can you get some pics of them on the dealers lot.


"Specs are as follows (05 brochures don't even show 4wd as an option) "

It does not surprise me that GM has no mention of the 4x4 option in there brochure.


I did like the 4500 that i used except that i think it was under powered and needed bigger brakes . How did the engine and brakes feel to you Howard??

[Honest Mike]

Yes, pics would be nice. Sounds like a nice truck, its about time they are putting out the 4wd version. It seems these models are becoming more and more popular, the 4500-5500s. I am seeing more and more of them around here lately. Probably all 2wd models though I am seeing. Mike

[chtucker]

Did not get it out on the road. Literally drove in circles in the dealers lot with a big smile of amazement.


http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/mediumduty/proddesc.jsp?year=2005&brandID=1&line=61&modelID=622&package=658&series=1&section=0&page=1

finally found specs on the web....

Gotta pick up a few more accounts to justify something like this though.

[BWhite]

They are also the hot chassis for C Class motorhomes because of the weight capacity and that killer steering wheel cut . 54 degrees

[Pelican]

Our County has just bought a couple busses on the 4 x 2 chassis. I think Chevy has a winner on their hands with this truck.

[myoder]

Now I'm jealous... I want to drive a 4wd!:D That's awesome, I haven't been to my dealership recently but he is supposed to be getting 5 or 6 of them and should be cool to check out. I also talked to one of the other salesman and he should me specs on the new duramaxs which will now or soon be doing 310 hp and 610 ft lbs of torque... pretty cool!

[cat320]

Mike don't trade your truck in just yet no plow prep for the diesels .

[JohnnyU]

Originally posted by Pelican
Our County has just bought a couple busses on the 4 x 2 chassis. I think Chevy has a winner on their hands with this truck.

Wow Steve, it must be a hell of a truck if its getting praise from a FORD guy ;) haha....

I agree, for the size and manuverability, it can't be beat.

[wyldman]

Ford has increased the knuckle swing on the 05 450\550's with the "fat boy" Dana 60.This will greatly reduce the turning radius.It was number one on a list of complaints,and Ford seems to have addressed it.

[Pelican]

Did they put a CV joint out at the knuckle? My 550 has pretty bad u-joint hop as it is with the hubs locked.

[chtucker]

Originally posted by cat320
Mike don't trade your truck in just yet no plow prep for the diesels .

I do not believe that is true. If you go to the above link it specs different batteries with the diesel/plow prep combo. The GM computer (at the dealer) let us build one. Layton truck in Denver has 5 reg cab and 10 crew cab diesels with 4x4 and snow plow prep on order (I think a few of the crews are there)

I will get pics on Tuesday.

Chris are the f450/f550 coil or leaf? I know that the upgraded the splines and such to up the axle rating to 7k (to match the chevy 4500/5500) Are they going to turn farther like the 250/350s too?

The brakes feel fine and the engine was ok... did not really even get it warmed up.

My only fear about the truck is the duramax. I had huge issues with my 7.3, ford messed up the 6.0 to start... A cummins would be nice in this truck... I guess they all have problems, but for a $7,000 option I want the truck to run when I put in drive.

Howard

[wyldman]

The new 450\550 will be the same as the other Super Duties,with coils up front.

There is no CV joint used at the knuckle.They do use a beefier u-joint (1550 series I believe).A CV joint there would have little or no effect on driveline windup or hop when turning.The hop comes from everything trying to turn at different speeds,due to axle speed differences.Even though there is a speed difference through a regular u-joint,it wouldn't make a difference.A GM with CV's still hops in 4WD.

[Pelican]

My 550 hops in 2 wheel drive with the hubs locked. Shouldn't the differential allow the axles to turn at different speeds if the transfer case is not engaged?

[wyldman]

Maybe you have a u-joint binding ? I haven't driven enough F550's in 2WD with the hubs locked to comment on if it's normal or not.There will be some u-joint bind at full lock,but it shouldn't hop.

[cat320]

The new 450-550's have a wider front end to acomidate the ciol springs and better turning radius.

The one good thing I liked about the chevey 45-5500 is the cab room ,visability and the turning radius. Now I think that ford has made the 450-550 over with the wide front end like the chevy and trurning radius but they still don't sit as high which is both a plus and minus for each mfg.

[chtucker]

Well I just looked at the "true invoice" and here is some more info:

Item MSRP Invoice
Truck 36216 30037
plow prep 243 202
2 pass seat 138 115
ac 852 707
electric mirrors 231 192
cig lighter 18 15
hystec? cab mnts 92 77
interior trim 46 38
appearance pkg 399 332
block heater 34 28
air compressor 138 115
duramax 6946 5765
pto 195 162
dash filter guage 75 62
dash tranny guag 94 78
tow hooks 46 38
tilt cruise 155 128
cloth 37 31
destination 900 900
fet 26 26
Total 46881 39048

Howard

[chtucker]

Found some pics on the web

[chtucker]

and one more

[John Banks]

Steve, my 550 does the same thing. It 's and '01, only has 23k miles and has done it since day one.

[cat320]

I found this C-4500 looks like a 4x4