My brother is on the fire department here and they are looking into getting a new grass rig. They are looking at either a Ford F550 or Dodge 5500 4x4, Supercrew and diesel. At least I think thats their basic requirements. Anyway my brother wanted me to get on here and get some opinions.
Most of the guys on the truck committee are die-hard GM guys but the prices that they got were a lot higher than the dodge or ford so they decided that GM was out. Any way give me some pros and cons for each.
IMO, I think the Ford is the better choice. Dodge doesn't offer a true crew cab, only regular or quad cab, which is essentially an extended cab with forward opening rear doors. The Fords are much roomier. The Dodge does come standard with the Cummins and a six speed manual, while diesel is an option on the F-550 (V-10 is standard). I believe the Fords offer more work related options, also where as the Dodge is kinda take what you get. Both websites allow you to build and price your truck any way you like. Maybe they should check them out.
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"Where the truck's a Ford and the tractor's green"
1986 F-150 Supercab 2wd 302 FI, AOD, bone stock (even the hubcaps are original)
Yes, Dodge offers a 4500 and 5500 series in chassis cab configuration only. They apparently aren't very popular because I've only seen a couple myself. The mega cab is not offered on 4500 or 5500's.
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"Where the truck's a Ford and the tractor's green"
1986 F-150 Supercab 2wd 302 FI, AOD, bone stock (even the hubcaps are original)
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1999 Ford F-150 Reg Cab, Green, 8 ft Box, HD Suspension, 300,000 kms+ tough life Built Ford Tough!
1998 Ford F-150 Ex Cab XL 4.2L 3.55 460,948+kms
(Fergus Truck Show 08)
1994 F-150 XL 300 I6 S/Cab 303,184kms 5 Speed
Video of my truck also a Gallery. Fordman06777, got vids of my truck pulling, and flipping cars youtube
Fords are built about as tough as your going to get. Can somebody enlighten me on what a "Grass Rig" is?
If the Fire Dept is watching their pennies they could save around $6200 by going with the 6.8l V10 over the diesel. Depending on what they want to do with the truck the diesel may not really be needed and will cost more to maintain. No DPF on the 6.8l either. Just a thought.
I take it the reason the Chevy was more expensive because the Chevy 4500 (Don't know if they make a 5500) is more medium duty size but with the Duramax in it.
We got a new grass rig this past summer for our department and it is an F-550 V-10 six speed, 4 door. Love it, and it didnt cost too much (not nearly as much as I thought). I dont know how often your rigs go out but I think the V-10 would be the way to go considering how much more the diesel will run you in sticker price and maintennance.While in most big truck arguments I would take the Dodge CTD I am going with the V10, it gets the job done with ease and costs way less. A CTD would be overkill, and a PSD would just be asking for trouble.
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2008 Dodge 3500, CTD, Auto, 4X4, 4 door dually
There is a thread up in the V10 forum of a guy that just bought a loaded F-550 V10 TS Auto 4X4 with leather and other goodies, no bed chassis cab and paid just under $40k for it with rebates through his fleet dealer and I beleive he special ordered it. Its setup as a tow truck.
That was me, And I'd go V10 again! My truck has almost every option except nav & traction control. I paid just under $40K like stated above. A fire department truck in XLT should be at least 4-5K off that with all the required equipment.
Well you know come to think about it. I have never seen any fire department have a Dodge off anything. Maybe that goes to show you that for a work an fire truck Ford holds up the best. Just a thought
Yeh I think Ford has cornered the ambulance market. They have a special diesel package for the ambulances. How many police cars that are not Fords. Not to many. Police have found out that Ford Crown Vics are built to take some abuse an keep on taking it. They have tried others but dont hold up.
Well those are markets that may be drying up....I'm starting to see the Dodge Sprinter vans everywhere, probably only a matter of time until they are turned into ambulances. I see a lot of Chevy ambulances too (really Ford and GM are the only ones that still make full size vans). And I'm seeing a lot more Impalas and Chargers being used as cop cars (as well as 4WD's...Jeeps and Durangos). Won't the Crown Vic be going out of production soon too?
__________________ 1994 F250 XLT-Reg cab, 4x4, 5 speed, 7.3 IDI Turbo, manual hubs. 4" intake tube, fuel turned up 2 flats, ATS upgrade, 4" dumped exhaust w/ Walker 21172, boost & pyro on pillar, Autodimming rearview mirror, 16x8 MB Razor wheels w/285/75R16 "MT-R's" 1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe-Lots of fun stuff to make it go fast & take corners
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