Landini1

Would anyone know the difference in the 4500 vs the 5500...

I noted on the specs, they say the rear axle GAWR for the 5500 is 13,000 compared to 12,000 for the 4500. Is this a different rear axle ?

The frame seems the same. The brakes are the same size.

I assume most of the extra load carrying is just in the spring pack?

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2004.5 3500 SRW, AUTO Long Box Quad Cab All stock. Supersprings for heavy loads of firewood.

Colo_River_Ram

The only difference is the springs and the GVW associated with them..

If you need the weight hauling ability go with the 5500 if not the 4500 is a lot smoother riding, you could always put air bags on the 4500 as well..

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08-Sterling Bullet 5500 4x4 6.7 Cummins,188.5,Quad Cab,White,Custom Built Flat-Bed,6sp Aisan,4.88's ,P-3,PTO/Snow Plow Prep.

05-3500 4X4.5.9, Jake Brake, Imp. Blue.Big Horn, Long Box Quad Cab, G56 SRW.3.73 LS.Custom Built Bed Rack/Weatherguard Tool Chest.Line-X OTRBL B&W T.O.B.,P-3 W/Valley "V30137" In Bed Harness.

01-Cat/EP 4x4 Forklift, 4.2L Perkins

32' 16.5K GN

42' 24K GN-el/hyd disc brakes


There Is No Distinctly American Criminal Class - Except Congress.

Mark Twain

rfeiller

both trucks are limited to 26,000 # GCVWR gross combined vehicle weight rating
the difference is in as Colo River Ram stated the GVWR or what it can carry on it's back

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2008 RAM 5500 Cab/Chassis, 4x4, 6.7 CTD, 6-sp automatic tranny, 4.88 axles, quad cab, partial bed, stainless steel fenders on rear duellies, 20,000lb hitch plate from Buyers Products with 20,000 lb. pintel hitch and a Dodge hitch receiver attached

2005 Chrysler 300C AWD - my wife lets me drive it once in awhile

2006 ASV-RCV multi-terrain track loader. (my SUV)

boaterman

The 26,000# GCVWR can be re licensed to a heaver weight. The truck is capable of a much higher weight. The restriction is because a drivers license up grade is required with weights above 26,000.. The brakes, axles, frame, and other components in the 5500 are larger than the 4500...

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2008 5500 Dodge Ram Quad drw, 4.88 gears, Aisin 6 speed with double overdrive in 5th and 6th. 18,750 pounds GVWR with a truck weight of 10,550.

2008 Carriage Cameo 35FD3 with a MorRide pin box

HitchCrafter, 32 K Double Pivot Holland/Brinkley Air Ride hitch

+The Super Wife!

EscapeesRV Club

dr7h41

I have been looking into the 4500/5500 series trucks for the purpose of towing a heavy 5th wheel RV. As far as I can tell from the parts catalog, the only difference (besides ratings) between the 4500/5500 is shocks, springs, final drive ratio availability, and emblems...

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03 2500 HO/48RE 4X4
When in doubt, step on it... It may not cure the problem, but it sure will end the suspense.

wiskeyVI

Has Dodge started making these in the new body style?

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2006 CC, Laramie 3500, Auto, 4x4, 5.9 HO, Smarty Jr., Cool Blue Hose intake, Donaldson 51", HOG 6" Tip, H2 Wheels, Bilsteins on the corners, ARE cap w/Yak Rack, Easy Lift Tailgate Assist, Vent Kit, Perimeter Lighting, Prodigy, Pacbrake PRXB & Bags, OilGuard filter system ...


O9 Grand Junction 5ver.


Retired-USA/EOD

boostjunkie1

NOPE.... This Fall

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NOW: 2008 Dodge Ram HEMI...1500 BIG HORN White 4X4. Loaded! ARE Z-Series Topper, 2" HBS Leveling Kit, 17" Mickey Thompson Classic II's, Bushwacker Pocket Flares....
2006 G56 Traded
2006 48re Broke/Traded
2003 S.O. SOLD...
2001 H.O. SOLD... :(

ridofpwrstroke

The new body style 45/5500 will have urea injection.

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2007 3500 dually six speed 4x4 laramie, jacobs exhaust brake, Gear Vendors overdrive, kilby on board air system, milemarker 10,500lb hydraulic winch, 2" leveled, aluminum winch bumper, 265 BFG's, more mods soon to come
06 Jetta TDI loaded with 5 speed,
2007 Keystone raptor 3712 with many toys

Gonna miss the red rocket twin turboed truck. Did me well.

rfeiller

you can license it for more weight, but the actual GCVWR set by the factory for the truck can not be changed.

Mag

Is there a noticeably better ride in a 4500 than a 5500 empty?
What is the length from the rear axle to the end of the frame?
Thanks Greig

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2001 3500 4x4 6 spd.H.O Patriot Blue, Edge EZ, U.S Gear Exhaust Brake

rfeiller

Mag go to dodge truck body builders, it will give all of the data you could want plus some. it is a valuable tool. you can also call ram and speak with the engineers of the C & C's. the ride is rougher in the 5500, but you get use to it. i need the additional load carrying capacity of the 5500.

ridofpwrstroke

yes, there is a huge difference in the way they ride. If you can, opt for the 4500.

Jerith

Not to hijack this thread but I have a question that has me puzzled. Reading the 2009 Truck Specifications Guide, the 4500 CC quad cab job rating charts have two weights listed for the same model, transmission, and axle ratio. I just don't get it, unless its a difference between a ST and a SLT... Or Laramie. (Laramie not offered on the 2010. Looks like it will be back for 2011. Based on the 4500 Crew Cab Chassis Code Guide issued today. No prices released yet.)

A 2009 4500 DRW 6.7L A6 84CA with 4.44 ratio has a GVWR of #16500. But then noted that the same details also is only #15000. Payload is also 8180 to 6680. Where posted curb weight, Max GCWR, and Max Trailer Weight is the same.

A #1500 difference in trim? The 5500 doesn't have this disparity. I really don't know what to tell the guy who is asking. So is the difference between the 5500 and the 4500 #19500 and #15000, or #19500 and #16500?


It just struck me.. what if this is the Snow Plow Group? Hmmm.


Jerith