I drove a 3500 CxC 6.7 when they first came out and really like that auto. Is the CxC 6.7 still rated 305/555 like the HOs? The 3500 rode better than I expected for not having any bed on it. How does the 4500 ride? Craig
Yep, Its a Aisin 6 spd auto Commercial Grade Trans. Probably never use PTO unless I get a dump bed or something.
larry barnhart
Your right, my 3500 is beefed up, but the 4500 is out doing it by far pulling and handling. I'm thinking the gear ratio is doing this, but I'm going to suffer Fuel Mileage. Pulling the fifth wheel here I got 8.52 MPG actual. (Not the computer) Engine is new and tight, might get a bit better later I'm told.
C Schomer
When I drove this without the bed on, I think I have kidney damage now. After the new bed was but on, it got better but rode very stiff on the dirt road I live on (6 miles). Towing the 5th wheel is a nice ride with all the weight....no problem rides nice. This truck DOES NOT ride like my 3500 period. Paved roads are ok, but its a stiff ride on the dirt and you might as well be in a dump truck.
Steve
2008 Keystone Raptor 299MP
2009 Dodge 4500 HD 4X4, 6 Speed Auto, 6.7 Cummins, 4.44 Ratio
2000 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 SPD Man. 5.9 Cummins,(My Old Puller)
1990 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9 Cummins (Stock)
Love the Cummins!!!
2007 Harley Davidson Softtail Custom (Money Pit)
C Schomer wrote: I drove a 3500 CxC 6.7 when they first came out and really like that auto. Is the CxC 6.7 still rated 305/555 like the HOs? The 3500 rode better than I expected for not having any bed on it. How does the 4500 ride? Craig
Raptor 2008 wrote: We tested our new Dodge 4500 4x4 this weekend and I can't say enough how well and pleased I am so far. The pulling power over LaVeta Pass was fantastic! (4.44 gears) This truck doesn't know it has a 12,000# 5ver on the back.
Now, I'm not knocking any other trucks here, and to be honest, I don't care if you tow with a golf cart or the biggest of the semi's. I'm sure Ford and GM trucks in the same class do just as well, but I am a Cummins Guy for sure as you can tell from my signature. My 3500 DRW 4x4 5.9L I have does very well, but the 4500 has me feeling safer, has more pulling power, and I am actually liking the auto tranny (6 speed). I was always a manual trans guy. The Auto trans with engine brake in Tow/Haul mode was super! I was concern about that issue with auto tranny, but worked perfectly on the mountain pass. I installed a Pac Brake on my 3500 with Manual 6 speed and loved it too. (Took me all day to install BTW)
Places I was downshifting in my 3500 and going 45mph on the steep parts of the pass, the 4500 was pulling at 55mph and I wasn't even pushing it that hard, or at least I didn't have it pegged. Places on the interstate that I was downshifting to 5th and going 55 mph (hills)
the 4500 was just stayed 65 mph with the cruise on. I suppose this is mainly with the gear ratio it has. Estimated fuel mileage has dropped between the 2 trucks and I will report actual calculated soon, not from the computer. Just wanted to mention how impressed I am with this class of truck. (Medium Duty) Just a huge difference between my 3500 and 4500.
Happy 4th of July!!!!
Camped out for the weekend in South Fork, Colorado
Steve
you sure were moving up LaVeta, your rig looked good going up the pass
Raptor 2008 wrote: We tested our new Dodge 4500 4x4 this weekend and I can't say enough how well and pleased I am so far. The pulling power over LaVeta Pass was fantastic! (4.44 gears) This truck doesn't know it has a 12,000# 5ver on the back.
Now, I'm not knocking any other trucks here, and to be honest, I don't care if you tow with a golf cart or the biggest of the semi's. I'm sure Ford and GM trucks in the same class do just as well, but I am a Cummins Guy for sure as you can tell from my signature. My 3500 DRW 4x4 5.9L I have does very well, but the 4500 has me feeling safer, has more pulling power, and I am actually liking the auto tranny (6 speed). I was always a manual trans guy. The Auto trans with engine brake in Tow/Haul mode was super! I was concern about that issue with auto tranny, but worked perfectly on the mountain pass. I installed a Pac Brake on my 3500 with Manual 6 speed and loved it too. (Took me all day to install BTW)
Places I was downshifting in my 3500 and going 45mph on the steep parts of the pass, the 4500 was pulling at 55mph and I wasn't even pushing it that hard, or at least I didn't have it pegged. Places on the interstate that I was downshifting to 5th and going 55 mph (hills)
the 4500 was just stayed 65 mph with the cruise on. I suppose this is mainly with the gear ratio it has. Estimated fuel mileage has dropped between the 2 trucks and I will report actual calculated soon, not from the computer. Just wanted to mention how impressed I am with this class of truck. (Medium Duty) Just a huge difference between my 3500 and 4500.
Happy 4th of July!!!!
Camped out for the weekend in South Fork, Colorado
Steve
you sure were moving up LaVeta, your rig looked good going up the pass
???? You saw us? I remember passing a coach or some kinda rig Friday Morning 1/2 way up.
Nice truck Raptor. I also looked at the 4500series,but didn't test drive one at the time I was looking to upgrade. I ended up going from a 2500 (5.9) to the 3500 mega dually, which I can say was adrastic improvement to pulling. I'm not taking anything away from the 2500, but I think I can relate to what you are saying about the 4500 over the 3500 series. Hmm, I maybe should have test rode a 4500 series. heheheh
Also, like yourself I will be dropping in the mpg department too, but I think I will keep the new truck with its six speed transmission. The only this the 5.9 was missng was the new six speed transmission. JMHO
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Engine is new and tight, might get a bit better later I'm told.
