Big tow rig needed: what mid-duty trucks are available with 4wd?

[VerticalTRX]

My father and I are searching for a larger truck for use around our farms for towing gooseneck trailers, wieghing up to 26,000lbs. Something around the size of an F-650, but it MUST be a 4x4, which seems hard to come by in medium duty trucks. Anyone got any suggestions, we will be buying either new or slightly used and are looking to spend up to $70K. I would like to find one that had a cat engine or IH DT466 or the like, with maybe a fuller 7 speed maunal tranny. We will be putting about a 10' flatbed on it, as this truck will mostly be used for towing. Thanks for any input.

[TR]

the only way to get one in a 4wd is to convert it. Ive seen a FL70 that was 4wd but i never found out if it was factory or aftermarket. sorry but thats all the info i have

[sbrem]

You can buy an International right from the factory in 4wd. Freightliner too I think, but I'm not sure on that.

Stephen

[VerticalTRX]

We looked at the IH 7300 severe service 4x4 trucks and they look like a great setup, however the closest dealer is about 80miles away. This could be a problem as far as getting parts and service. Does anyone know if the F-650 is available in a 4x4 configuration?

[ramv]

F650 is not. There are lots of Internationals around, but thats the only I can stock ones I recall seeing.

C5500 4wd and F550 4x4 are the biggest other wise and they only have a 19k GVWR.

[jasonmt]

Current Models:

International 7000 series
Western Star 4900
Unimog U500

Non Current Models:

Ford F600, 700,800
International S series
Unimogs of various persuasions

You cannot really go wrong with a International 7300 with a DT466 and a 21K+ rear axle with a locker. Our Navistar dealer is about the same distance away and has no problems throwing things on the hound for us.

[Huff]

I've seen a medium-duty Chevrolet 4x4 of some sort around town here lately. It's being used on a ranch around here someplace. Lemme do some looking.

Edit: It is a Chevy Kodiak, and is without a doubt one of the coolest trucks I have ever seen.

http://www.chevrolet.com/mediumduty/kodiak/

[willymutt]

The Western Star wouldn't be a medium duty truck. The Freightliner M2 would be the new one. You can get a 4x4 from the factory only with the Allison. If you have questions, send me a PM. i can get you the info.

[85blue4runner]

My father and I are searching for a larger truck for use around our farms for towing gooseneck trailers, wieghing up to 26,000lbs. Something around the size of an F-650, but it MUST be a 4x4, which seems hard to come by in medium duty trucks. Anyone got any suggestions, we will be buying either new or slightly used and are looking to spend up to $70K. I would like to find one that had a cat engine or IH DT466 or the like, with maybe a fuller 7 speed maunal tranny. We will be putting about a 10' flatbed on it, as this truck will mostly be used for towing. Thanks for any input.

http://www.north-county-ford.com/trucks/ford-commercial-trucks.asp

also check out Cowboy Cadillac, Tulsa Truck Mfg and some of the import trucks (mitsubishi for sure) that offered 4wd options. Maybe able to get one used or get a base model since it will be used for local/farm duty and save some $$$..

[VerticalTRX]

I've been talking to some other guys and I'm really liking the looks of the IH 7300 severe service 4x4 series. Anyone got an idea about how much $$$ one would run setup as follows: Crew cab 4x4, 14K front axle, 21K rear, DT466, Fuller 10 speed 8LL. I suppose I'd be dreaming to try to find one for under $70K? Thanks for all the replies.

[Norm]

Watch ebay and GSA government auctions (gsaauctions.gov). The forest service, fire departments, and BLM all use them. Our state forestry department also uses them for brush fire rigs. I've seen a few used ones for sale use, but they are usually out west.

[jasonmt]

The Western Star wouldn't be a medium duty truck. The Freightliner M2 would be the new one. You can get a 4x4 from the factory only with the Allison. If you have questions, send me a PM. i can get you the info.


The 4900 is available with a single rear with class 7 and 8 GVWR's similar to what his wish list is for the Navistar:

http://www.westernstartrucks.com/Core/Images/Trucks/4900sa/Military09-sa-Cargo4x4.jpg

The Mitsubishi FG 140 that is available in 4x4 has a GVWR of 14K and a 4 cylinder diesel.

[TEX]

The 5500 series Chevy/GMC are available as 4wd now.

TEX

[trkklr77]

i ran a 2wd chevy 6500 with the 6 speed and 3126 cat motor i was a great setup and alot easier to shift than the 7 speed.

all of them can be had with 4x4. the fords use the m+h front axle and the chevy's now use a super beef d70.

go get a used truck for 30,000 and less and slap some rockwells in it.

my only bitch is the chevy crew cabs a rare its a lot easier to find the ford 650's

[kartek]

Have you considered a surplus army 6X6? Very capable, relatively cheap, would be great for farm use. Easily does 55MPH on the highway. You could pick up a GREAT one for less than 10K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=588&item=6540413321&rd=1 (This) is all you'll ever need!

[1967K10]

There is a GMC commertial dealer near me that has the GM 4500 and 5500 4x4 in all configurations.I even think they had a ex-cab there.That would be my pick.I was thinking about one for a ranch truck also.Seemed to be a nice heavy unit.

[VerticalTRX]

Thanks for the info yall. I think we're probably leaning towards an International 7300 4x4 Crew cab, 12K front axle, 21K rear with locker, DT466 with a 10-speed fuller behind it. Should pull our 'little' 20,000lb trailers pretty well.

[East Coast Ghost]

FWIW At work we have a f650 that is a 4x4, 3126 cat, allson tranny, and a air shifted transfer case. They bought it from a local dealer.

[85blue4runner]

Some new Freightliners like M2 or business class, maybe FL series are available in 4wd also, but they are $$$$$$$$$$

first line of the description:

http://www.ssfire.com/stock/detail.cfm?sid=11

[Toyota_Jim]

I've been talking to some other guys and I'm really liking the looks of the IH 7300 severe service 4x4 series. Anyone got an idea about how much $$$ one would run setup as follows: Crew cab 4x4, 14K front axle, 21K rear, DT466, Fuller 10 speed 8LL. I suppose I'd be dreaming to try to find one for under $70K? Thanks for all the replies.

Ive got a 4900 international, double cab, bought as cab and chassis, had to put a utility bed on it.
only rwd. It was under 70K.

[willymutt]

If you are looking at any 4X4 in the medium duty truck, I would recommend the GMC or Chevy to get under $70,000. The 4X4 option on the M2 and International is around $20,000 alone. Make sure if you are buying new to keep it at or under 33K GVW. You will have to pay FET otherwise. PM me and I can get you a quote on the GMC or M2.

[dumass]

Should pull our 'little' 20,000lb trailers pretty well.
That's what I thought about my 3126B, which is pretty comparable. At 330/880 with a 6spd, it sucked a dick the size of Florida on the hills. 6% grades were a 30-40mph ordeal, without the added weight and drag of 4wd. If you really plan to pull 20k# get a truck with a real motor if you want to go up hills at the speed limit or even 55mph for that matter. Whatever you choose make sure you have at least 1200 ft lbs (1600 would be better) of torque. This usually means 400hp or more. ESPECIALLY if you plan to buy new, try pulling your junk up a long 6% hill before you buy. I would also really debate your NEED for 4x4 vs. locked diff(s) as it gets spendy and heavy fast.

For comparison
DT466 (http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/engine/dt466detail.asp#specifications)

Cat 3126E ( http://www.cattruckengines.com/OHE/index.htm)

hope this helps

[rustynuts]

this is my wall paper. :D

not quite under $70,000 but just a bada$$ rig. :smokin:



http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/xtfamily/cxt.asp

[SanDiegoCJ]

this is my wall paper. :D

not quite under $70,000 but just a bada$$ rig. :smokin:



http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/xtfamily/cxt.asp



Yeah, but it's ONLY 220 hp and 540 ft/lbs. :barf: Talk about an underpowered pig.

[rustynuts]

it says other horsepower ratings available. that's probably the base, el cheapo motor.

[SanDiegoCJ]

it says other horsepower ratings available. that's probably the base, el cheapo motor.


Yes, you can get up to 300hp and 860 ft/lbs with the DT466, but I don't know
if that option is available in the CXT.

Edit: I just looked up the specs on the transmission in the CXT and it's
only rated at 600 ft/lbs.

[rustynuts]

Edit: I just looked up the specs on the transmission in the CXT and it's only rated at 600 ft/lbs.


=========


WEAK! :shaking:


EDIT: check out what edge products has to say about the allison tranny in my tow rig.

"When the torque converter clutch is engaged, fifth gear on the Allison 1000 transmission will hold about 680 foot pounds of torque before slipping. Gears 2-4 with the torque converter clutch engaged have never slipped in Edge’s testing. (We have tested over 900 foot pounds of torque with no slippage). Without the sophisticated transmission monitoring that the Juice performs, the total power increase would need to be limited to the weakest conditions to prevent “limp mode”."


funny how my 9200 gvwr GMC tranny has a higher torque rating than that phat a$$ CXT by international. :rolleyes:

[CSP]

A manufacturer's rating and what a tranny will actually take before slipping very well could be two very different numbers though.

Did GM actually rate the Allison at 680? Edge saying it didn't slip til then doesn't necessarily mean GM said the same thing.

I could care less about either one, just an attempt to compare apples with apples.

[CWBYinJEEP]

A manufacturer's rating and what a tranny will actually take before slipping very well could be two very different numbers though.

Did GM actually rate the Allison at 680? Edge saying it didn't slip til then doesn't necessarily mean GM said the same thing.

I could care less about either one, just an attempt to compare apples with apples.

Go to this forum and see what they are saying. In particular MikeL is very involved with loading up the Allison to take some serious abuse.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/index.php