Compare Ford F550 to Ram 5500
I'm looking for people that have experience with these chassis cab models. The engines and transmissions have been covered in previous threads, so I am focusing on the chassis, braking, axles, suspens...
Forum Discussion
Bedlam,
For me any way, it would be figure out which issues are common for the given rig you want....THEN, I would do today what I did in 93 when I bought my mdt. Start comparing the three at the time I narrowed it down to.
Like not sure what the wheel cut of the front axel is on these two, vs say the IHC I mentioned. I was looking at the pre 45 series GM and fords, then was told I might be able to find a lo pro IHC for the same money.....The GM and ford had 48-50* wheel turn vs 54 for the IHC. this amounted to a tighter turn for the IHC by some 3-5' for an equal WB. My 188" IHC will out turn a 155" 88GM pickup I had at the time.
The IHC I could see out the cab the best. ALong with the cab only being 108" from the front of the bumper to the back of the can vs 120 or so inches for the GM and FOrd. This allowed me to be 12" less on the WB for the IHC vs the other two for an equal bed length. Add in the better wheel cut..........
The bed it self, was able to be some 6-8" lower, when putting 100+ lb items into the bed with out hydraulics to help, just above my waist vs chest level, is huge in saving my back, not to mention employee's in my case and potential insurance claims for the injuries and time off etc.
Another that swung me in the IHC side of things. I had 5 different trans options vs 2 for the ford and GM. I was able to get a manual 7 sp with a 10.08-1 first gear, vs lowest around 6-1 for the other two. That came to an additional 10% grade I could climb at 30K lbs and not need a 4 lo situation! 20% vs just over 30%. Major difference if you off road.
On this, IIRC the Ford auto has a 3.1-1 first, vs the Ram in the mid 3.x-1 for first gear. This could be a better take off on steeper grades, assuming the same RA, tire diam etc. THe IHC may have the Allison 2400 option which is a 3.54 IIRC first vs the 1000 and 2200 at 3.1-1. Not sure of the manual options, but could give you some better options on that line too.
The price of the IHC you linked, frankly, not that far out of line vs what I would swag the Ford and Dodge rigs will cost. Not saying it is the better truck per say.....as it may not be, but some of the options may make it be better to spend a couple of more $$ from IHC vs the Ford or dodge options. Another my IHC had vs the other two at the time, a detroit locker in the rear! If I would have gotten air brakes, an air locker was available. but that was a higher gvwr etc class of truck than I wanted.
For off roading if that is what you are going to be doing some, I would not get one of the LCF trucks such as the Mitsubishi that IIRC has a 4wd option. THe Front axel has more wt vs the rear of a std cab, this can be an issue in some softer ground getting thru it. Altho and LCF is able to be some 36" less WB vs a conventional cab, so a tighter turning radius yet........
Good luck and choice
marty
For me any way, it would be figure out which issues are common for the given rig you want....THEN, I would do today what I did in 93 when I bought my mdt. Start comparing the three at the time I narrowed it down to.
Like not sure what the wheel cut of the front axel is on these two, vs say the IHC I mentioned. I was looking at the pre 45 series GM and fords, then was told I might be able to find a lo pro IHC for the same money.....The GM and ford had 48-50* wheel turn vs 54 for the IHC. this amounted to a tighter turn for the IHC by some 3-5' for an equal WB. My 188" IHC will out turn a 155" 88GM pickup I had at the time.
The IHC I could see out the cab the best. ALong with the cab only being 108" from the front of the bumper to the back of the can vs 120 or so inches for the GM and FOrd. This allowed me to be 12" less on the WB for the IHC vs the other two for an equal bed length. Add in the better wheel cut..........
The bed it self, was able to be some 6-8" lower, when putting 100+ lb items into the bed with out hydraulics to help, just above my waist vs chest level, is huge in saving my back, not to mention employee's in my case and potential insurance claims for the injuries and time off etc.
Another that swung me in the IHC side of things. I had 5 different trans options vs 2 for the ford and GM. I was able to get a manual 7 sp with a 10.08-1 first gear, vs lowest around 6-1 for the other two. That came to an additional 10% grade I could climb at 30K lbs and not need a 4 lo situation! 20% vs just over 30%. Major difference if you off road.
On this, IIRC the Ford auto has a 3.1-1 first, vs the Ram in the mid 3.x-1 for first gear. This could be a better take off on steeper grades, assuming the same RA, tire diam etc. THe IHC may have the Allison 2400 option which is a 3.54 IIRC first vs the 1000 and 2200 at 3.1-1. Not sure of the manual options, but could give you some better options on that line too.
The price of the IHC you linked, frankly, not that far out of line vs what I would swag the Ford and Dodge rigs will cost. Not saying it is the better truck per say.....as it may not be, but some of the options may make it be better to spend a couple of more $$ from IHC vs the Ford or dodge options. Another my IHC had vs the other two at the time, a detroit locker in the rear! If I would have gotten air brakes, an air locker was available. but that was a higher gvwr etc class of truck than I wanted.
For off roading if that is what you are going to be doing some, I would not get one of the LCF trucks such as the Mitsubishi that IIRC has a 4wd option. THe Front axel has more wt vs the rear of a std cab, this can be an issue in some softer ground getting thru it. Altho and LCF is able to be some 36" less WB vs a conventional cab, so a tighter turning radius yet........
Good luck and choice
marty
