Cincinnati Sterling had a 4500 demo. (read my other post to see why i'm wanting to get ride of the 3500 for one of these!!!) So i went down to drive one.. They are BEEFY!! The axle's are compatiable to a f550. It had an auto in it, but i'd want a 6sp. Thats the first 6.7 i have drove, Jeeze, Didn't have the power i thought it would!! Maybe just b/c of all the emmisions stuff on these motors, but i hope a reprogramer would help!!
I also drove a F550 when i was there, and it had TONS more power than the CTD. Plus I have to say the interors of the Sterlings are really plane!! Compared to the Fords, the Fords had much nicer insides!!
I do have to say the Sterling rode MUCH better than the Ford. My back hurt after driving the F550!!
They're are pricing me out both a Sterling 5500 and Ford F550. Black, 4door, 4x4, 6sp, power everything, alum wheels and so on. They said it should be comp to the ford price wise!!

Heres a few pic's a snap

 

They are a work truck...

Not likely - Illegall with '07+ emissions, depends upon how strictly they test in your area...

They are a work truck...

 

What do think i am going to use it for?? Drang Racing??
We have an 05 Ram 3500 and a 06 GMC D-max. They are hooked to a trailer 90% of the time, BUT b/c they are our own personal work trucks, we do like them to have the nice interiors!! And look like we have some class driving down the road!!
And beings they are a WORK truck, yes they should have the power to pull what they clam is the GCVW!! Just wanting them to be able to pull hills and not drop down to 30mph!! -Chris

 

again theyre a work truck, if you think 300 hp with a 20k gvw isnt enough thats just plain laughable. I really wish people would stop complaining about the power. Check the other medium duty thread for examples of what the old guys used to haul with, v8 gas jobs and 200 hp diesel motors were among the only choices.

 

If everyone just "accepted" what was given to us, there would be no demand or push for innovation, evolution, or revolution when it comes to changes. You should ALWAYS scrutinize, nit-pick, and complain until everything is made to the best of it's potential.

 

Work trucks like these are all about cost per mile. No one cares about how fast they are. They worry more about maintenance, fuel expense, downtime, and so on. So a hot rod is not in consideration. I bet it will pull like no tomorrow though.

 

exactly - spooler nailed it

 

Is the rear end and front end on the 4500 and 5500 different somehow from a 2500, say? Is the steering beefier? Who makes the rear end?

 

Yes... the rear is a Dana S110 series.... not sure on the front end.

Dodge has it listed as a Dana S111... I'm not sure that axle exists.

 

Yep, we use to tote around 80k lbs with little 285hp 6 cylinder Mack engines.

MikeyB

 

And smaller engines too! So, whats the pulling power of the 45/55. Is it equal to my Uni? Prolly not.

 

no, i believe the GCWR on the trucks is rather low comparitively speaking. From what i remember dodge stated that the trucks were built mainly for huge GVWR's.

 

MikeyB, ever drive one of those 237 Maxidynes with a 5spd?

 

You people crack me up.. I was just saying i was expecting more power out of the new 6.7's. Thats all. Not saying its suppost to be a race truck or anything along those matters.. We've ran Volvo's single axles for a few years before we went back to pick-up's.. They all three had Cummins in them, the biggest was a 380hp, the other two were 330hp.. If HP is HP like you are saying then why did these pull twice the wieght as i am now up hill's with ease?? (they are semi's thats why!! They are made to WORK!!) Just like the 5500, Its made to work, so it should be able to pull more than a 1-ton with ease!! Like I said, We work these trucks hard, and i know the 1-tons can't handel it, so thats why i'm looking towards alittle bigger truck. unlike most you people giving me crap, I am making a living with thses trucks!! Not just for play!!

 

Nope. Our RS600's had the 285 Maxidynes with the 10spd Maxitorque transmissions. Good setup, but couldn't compete with our Marmon's with the NTC400 and 8v-92's with the Eaton 13spd unless the going got rough, and that's where the Mack's shined (going offroad to the drilling rigs).

MikeyB