ridofpwrstroke

I am in the process of looking for a bigger truck. I have the 3500 but it is still overloaded every time I use it. Some times more than 8,000 lbs. I was thinking about a 4500 or 5500. I know the 5500 has a higher gvwr at 19k, but what is the difference between the 45 and the 5500 as far as axles and leaf springs go? Standing next to both I cant tell the difference. The reason I like the 4500 is that you can get the 4.44's and I think that is a great gear with the auto. Guessing right around 2,000 rpms at 70 which is perfect for towing.

Also, if you take off the smog junk, can you run low sulfur fuel instead of ultra low sulfur fuel? I have 1000 gallons of low sulfur fuel that I am using in my 07 5.9.

Colo_River_Ram

Well there is a lot of variables let me throw some of them at you.

1- A 4500 SRW (if it is still an option) will do better in the mud as dualies suck in da mud!

2- A 5500 hundred even with a 2400lb bed (that is what my custom built weighs) will still keep your kidneys up under your chin! The heavier the load the smoother it rides..

3- If you need the gvw to stay legal go with the 5500 if not do a 4500 with airbags..

4- Not sure if they have all of the foolers done for the emissions removal..beside this would void the warranty..

5- I like the 6spd auto it is sure smooth and makes backing up heavy trailers easy..

6- 75MPH is max speed on these things and I'm turning about 2500 RPM W/ my auto and 4.88's

Hope this helps

ridofpwrstroke

colorado,

I really dont haul that much in the bed. More tongue weight from the gooseneck is the most it gets and that is right at 4k. My goal is to pull my dozer on the gooseneck and not kill the driveline. My 3500 will do it but I just broke my input shaft on the gear vendors pulling a 1500lb boat so I think pulling heavy 99% of the time has killed it with 40,000 miles. I am just pulling more than the truck is built for. My dozer and gooseneck weighs in at 24,000 lbs and the 3500 will do it, but for how long. I was just curious what the 4500 has differently than the 5500 as far as axle size, driveshaft size. Why is the 5500 rated higher? What makes it rated for more? Is it just the leafs which if it is, I can live with that.

Colo_River_Ram

For the most part the only diff between the 4500 and 5500 is the springs and the GVW associated with them.. it is all the same drive train. With 4K on the goose tongue the 5500 would give you a smooth ride.. The trucks are built pretty stout what impressed me was the metal in the frame..

Here a pic of mine with a 6K load on it..



And the 42'GN trailer it tows..

FATCAT

If the priority is towing capacity, the both 4500 and 5500 are rated the same. 4K on the back is not much for the 4500. So either will do you good.

But if you are torn between the two, the get the 5500.

My 4500 does all I need and I have a dump body. I have no problems putting 3+ tons in the back.

boaterman

The ride is not bad at all hauling a 15,000# 5th wheel... The price is about the same, so why not go for the big guns???

el-frugal

You may like the 4500, but belive me go with the 5500, crewcab, 6 speed NV4500, 4x4 with hubs you got to get out to lock. load that bad boy up. pick a light color. sand, or white, white hide scratches. But before you do anything , do your best to buy an early 2007, actually a December 2006 bithdate.
As of 1/1/2007, the epa restricktions began with the Diesel particulate filter and as well the fuel re-generation system. these kill about 3 to 4 mpg and steal alot of your power @ the rear wheels. Theres alot of replacements out there for the DPF, But if your caught on the road it will be a FELONY. And a EPA Felony these days, heck they'll do every thing but string you up.
Remember December 2007 @ the latest

haulin-rv

1. NV4500 is a 5 speed manual not used in a new truck for years.

2. 4500/5500 are 2008 and newer only. Along with the 3500 c&c.

The 4500 is going to give you a 12,000 pound rear axle capacity vs the 5500 at 13,500.

el-frugal

Well just Pardon me old man.
I've got a 1999 F550, 4x4 with a Dana 60, Front axle, Rear Axle Dana-S135 with L.S. Also with a "6 SPEED"
6 speed Manual Overdrive H.D. CR- ZF.

GEAR RATIOS;
Low, 5.79
1st, 3.31
2nd, 2.10
3rd, 1.31
4th, 1.00
5th, .72
Reverse,5.23 gear ratios
Count them 6 forward gears, one reverse...
Lubricant Capaciy: 13.8 pints...
I have no clue who wants to disagree with me.
But Slick I've got the 1999 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES"SPECIFACATIONS-GUIDE"BOOK.
I had the book long before the salesman knew the option codes, LONG BEFORE I ordered my 99 the way I wanted it...then I waited 3 or 4 months before it finally came...

Now here's the #'s on the 5 speed Manualtrans.

5-speed Manual Overdrive
H.D. WR-ZF
GEAR RATIOS;
There is no low gear period.
Low, N/A
1st, 5.72
2nd, 2.94
3rd, 1.61
4th, 1.00
5th, .76
Reverse, 5.24
Lubricant Capaciy pints: 6.8
Count them 5 forward gears, one reverse...
el-frugal

haulin-rv

What does this have to do with a Dodge 4500/5500?

The specs on the 5 speed nv4500 can be found here.

P Kennedy

Me thinks one should read the post before posting. The question was the difference between 4500 &5500 Dodge cab & chassis to purchase new. The New Venture NV4500 is out of production and not offered in your Ford, you own a ZF 5 speed as per your spec tag. The new Dodges use 6 speed Getrag unit which is way heavier than the ZF in the Ford you have. The C&C units 3500,4500 & 5500 are rough anytime they have no weight on the back, different spring specs and auxiliary spring pad setting than a pickup.

el-frugal

Your correct,
In my Ford F-550 I have a ZF 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
H.D. CR- ZF.
6 speed Manual Overdrive
GEAR RATIOS;
Low, 5.79
1st, 3.31
2nd, 2.10
3rd, 1.31
4th, 1.00
5th, .72
Reverse,5.23 gear ratios
Count them 6 forward gears, one reverse...
Lubricant Capaciy: 13.8 pints...

But I do have a NV 271 transfer case, my 2nd

AXLE RATIOS: 4.88
THAT'S A TALL GEAR BUT I FOR PULL A 45' TETON 5TH WHEEL.
EMPTY AND DRY IT WEIGHS 19,500#, after all we live mostly on the road from job to job. So everything's in there.

My wife and i are pipe/ tube welders. Since 1990 we've traveled around from job to job, making a living. I've been thru a chevy(that couldnt handle the load). Then we bought a 94 dodge 3500 with the V-10. Motor was a good motor but the chassis could not handle the weight of my welding rig and tow the 5'ver. The last series of break-downs with the dodge was four swing bearings and support assemblys. That next day, I went to the Ford dealer up in Delaware and found out that ford was begining to build 1/12 ton 5500's. The salesman gave me 2 books that i probably could not bought @ that time. I studied the books and when they began to take orders I ran down with my desired option codes and the books.
It took about 5 or 6 weeks to get the truck but Good-Lord what a truck. The only bad thing about the F550 is they dont come with an option for a Cummins and I've had some troubles with the "SLAVE CYLINDER/CLUTCH LINE". AND i BROKE MY NV271 near San Antonio, Tx.

I tow a huge amount of weight with it and have been pleased with it but now my 6th gear is beginning to rattle, so I soon will be in the market for a new or Re-built CR-ZF 6 speed. My clutches are fine.
I went to a Steel action up near B-ham, Alabama and pulled back a load that weighed more than you would belive...and about 3 miles from the house it began to rattle louder, then louder.
Sorry for the mix-up on trans, but I would love to put a Cummins in my F-550 or find a late 06 Dodge 5500 or a Sterling Bullett loaded out the way I like em.
Take care, el-frugal