has anyone checked out the new kodiaks to compete with the ford-450/550--their website sucks I couldn't get any specific details: crew cab,4x4 etc.

kodiak compares to the f750 not 450/550's:) .

When you get into that series of trucks and larger all the companies are is cab and chassis builders, they use all the same drive train combos. So its just a matter of what you think looks the best and what fits your arse the best. Like for me i fit and feel better in the baby Freightliners.

GM is replacing their 3500HD (a class 4 truck based on the pickup body) with the 4500 and the 5500 (which are medium-duty based trucks). the 4500 and 5500 come with the 8.1, 6.6 duramax and a zf 6-speed, allison 1000 (same as the pickups) but all the other components (brakes, wheels, chassis, axles(spicer)) are all medium-duty class 4 and 5 equipment. interior and doors are the same as the GM vans (old body style medium-duties had pickup based interiors). PERSONALLY i don't think the F-450 can compare to the new GM 4500s... don't know about the prices though!

and 4x4 and crewcabs will be available as 2004 models for the 4500 + 5500 if i recall correctly. the 2003 4500 + 5500s are starting to pop up all over the place here in michigan

hope that gives some decent info?!?:D

Originally posted by smurfsdad
Like for me i fit and feel better in the baby Freightliners.

I love the baby Freightliner Crewcabs, they are so roomy and comfortable!

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon


I love the baby Freightliner Crewcabs, they are so roomy and comfortable!

You guys know a lot about these trucks? I need to buy something SOON. Please help with some info. Their website doesn't show the smaller Frieghtliners. I want to know the engines, trannys, rearends, and cabs that are available. Are these good for a million miles? What kind of wieght can they pull? What kind of milage? ETC, ETC.

Thanks

I don't know about getting a millon miles out of one. Cat says to do a inframe at about 650,000. Also every 300,000 to 350,000 miles you need to roll in new rods and mains. Of corse we run our rigs pretty hard in construction work. :D

Originally posted by EMIEVEL


You guys know a lot about these trucks? I need to buy something SOON. Please help with some info. Their website doesn't show the smaller Frieghtliners. I want to know the engines, trannys, rearends, and cabs that are available. Are these good for a million miles? What kind of wieght can they pull? What kind of milage? ETC, ETC.

Thanks

I know a guy with one of these. My Brother-in-law's dad. He has a crewcab Freightliner converted by Cabriolet. Has a 300HP CAT (can't tell you exactly what model engine that is) with a 6-speed Allison. Believe it's rated to tow 40k. He pulls an RV trailer with a dry weight of ~14,500lbs. Probably 17-18k by the time he adds fluids & all his schit for a long trip (this guy travels a LOT - he once spent 180 nights in his RV over the course of a year WHILE WORKING FULL TIME). Says he gets right at 10 MPG towing. That sounds awful high, but I think you can attribute that to the fact that he's only towing about 1/2 what the rig is rated to tow, so the engine really isn't working all that hard.


TEX

My Dad has a '00 Freightliner FL60 extended cab with a Mercedes 260hp/700ft-lb I-6 and a fuller 6-speed manual towing a 20K lb 5th wheel and gets right at 10 mpg with it. It's one of the quietest diesels I've ever been around and pulls pretty well. The combo is around 30K altogether.

There are lots of Cummins and PSD's with more power than that, but his is factory stock and does well enough for him. He's retired and not in a big hurry . .

Originally posted by kickinasphalt383
GM is replacing their 3500HD (a class 4 truck based on the pickup body) with the 4500 and the 5500 (which are medium-duty based trucks). the 4500 and 5500 come with the 8.1, 6.6 duramax and a zf 6-speed, allison 1000 (same as the pickups) but all the other components (brakes, wheels, chassis, axles(spicer)) are all medium-duty class 4 and 5 equipment. interior and doors are the same as the GM vans (old body style medium-duties had pickup based interiors). PERSONALLY i don't think the F-450 can compare to the new GM 4500s... don't know about the prices though!

and 4x4 and crewcabs will be available as 2004 models for the 4500 + 5500 if i recall correctly. the 2003 4500 + 5500s are starting to pop up all over the place here in michigan

hope that gives some decent info?!?:D

thanks that was what I wanted to know now the question is wether to wait or not I'm a little impatient my wife says

where did you get that info. I searched all over the net and couldn't find squat on the new 4500&5500s

well the dealerships around here have them on the lot, so thats the best way to get info.

the diesel page http://forum.62-65-dieselpage.com has a section in their forum that you can ask questions about them.

also check: http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/features/GMT560.htm