Question: F-450 vs. C-4500
 

My father is looking at replacing 2 of his work trucks with one. He currently has an '82 Chevy Silverado C-30 dually with a 454 and a 4 spd man. w/granny low and a '87 Chevy Kodiak C-70 with a Cat 3208 Non-turbo diesel with a 5x2 transmission. He's looking at a C-4500 dump truck which is a good compromise between the 2 current trucks. I can't get him to look at a F-450 (chevy lover since birth), but I just want to use the F-450 as a reference to the C-4500.

The truck he's looking at is an '04 C-4500 Duramax with Allison trans. and it has a 14' dump bed. It is a 1 1/2 ton chassis truck.

What is the GVWR of the C-4500, he asked me to look it up for him.

GVWR is 16k-17,500 for the c-4500

Between the two there is a big difference.

The GM trucks are heavier duty in my opinion.
Stronger frames for one - 80,000 PSI compared to 36,000PSI.
Bigger axles with larger ratios available.
Exhaust brakes.
Generally heavier GVWR's 16K-17.5K compared to 15K.
And actually those numbers are very conservative for the 4500.
Availability of at least one Allison auto.
Tlit hood for easier access to engine compartment.
Much tighter turning radius.
Better driver visibility.

This being said, try getting Pop's to think outside the box a bit.
I would not buy the Ford or GM trucks- I'd go International.
For about the same money he can get himself a 4200 series truck with or without the low pro pkg.
And even with the low pro he's going to get at least 19,500GVWR-a 23,000LB rear axle is used in standard 4200's. He'll also have the option of either the Allison 2000 or 2400 model automatics- which blow away the 1000 series. On top of this he can get the VT365 at 230 HP/620 LBFT.(the trouble free 6.0PSD)
Last but not least- the International cab is actually layed out the same as OTR day tractors-which these have also served as BTW-whereas the Ford's and GM's have that "pickup on steroids look" to them- they look cheap.

Good luck.

I think he's run across a dealer that has really marked down the 4500's and he just won't buy anything other than a Chevy. I'll mention to him about the IH, but I don't know if that will move him.

I agree with Sinister, the IHC is a far better straight frame truck. High seats, low hood excellent visibility and will turn around as sharp as a Bronco. A VT365 or a DT466 is a real truck engine made out of real cast iron. A C4500 is an oversized pickup cab, with a pickup engine and trans.
Bob

Straight out of ford's website
F-450 Chassis Cab
The F-450 Super Duty Chassis Cabs have a GVWR of 15,000 lbs.

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Configurations: The F-450 Super Duty Chassis Cab is available in a variety of wheelbase lengths, in 4x4 and 4x2 and, in XL, XLT and Lariat models.


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Highlights: Passenger side air bag with deactivation switch now standard on all models
Trailer tow package now standard on Lariat
Manually telescoping mirrors now standard on XLT and Lariat
Rear sliding window and privacy glass now standard on Lariat
Improved seats on XLT and Lariat More powerful 7.3L diesel engine
Improved shift feel through engine and transmission calibration revision
Improved fuel economy


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Major Standard Features: XLT

6.8L modular V10 gasoline engine
5-speed manual transmission
4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Power steering
High series cloth 40-20-40 split bench seat with armrest and storage
Premium AM/FM stereo/cassette/CD player with clock and 4 speakers
Air conditioning
Power door locks and windows
Full instrumentation including tachometer
Dual dash mounted cup holders
Chrome bumper


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Major Optional Features: 4-speed automatic transmission
7.3L DI turbo diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission
Clean Fuel Fleet LEV option
Power take-off provision transmission
Rear sliding window
Snow plow package
Bi-Fuel propane (ULEV)


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Option Packages: Ambulance Prep Package

Auxiliary idle control kit
Dual 130 amp alternators
Air conditioning
XL Decor Group
Chrome front bumper with lower valance
Aero halogen headlights

Straight out of chevy's website
C-4500
'NO 4X4' avaliable
2WD Regular Cab

GVWR* lbs 16,000
Wheelbase 128" with "60 CA and 100.5" CE. Includes a 6mm 80,000 psi yield strength, steel frame, RBM: 610,400 Section Modulus 7.63

Engine Vortec™ 8100 Gasoline V8 with 225 horsepower @ 3600 rpm and 350 lb–ft torque @ 1200 rpm
'6.6L Durmax diesel avaliable but has no ratings'
Transmission Allison® 1000 Series — Automatic transmission with 0.71 overdrive Torque Rating: 520 lb–ft

Fuel Tank Single 25-gallon fuel capacity — gas and diesel located midship between the frame rails, with fuel–fill neck located over top of frame rail

Frame 6mm - 80,000 psi yield strength, steel frame, RBM: 610,400 Section Modulus 7.63

My 2 cents is to go with the F-450 7.3L DI turbo diesel engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. The durajunk's aluminum heads are gonna blow off one day and the 8.1L is good but a gas hog and wont last as long as a diesel 'well maybe the it ill out last the durajunk'. ;) The 7.3L diesel has proven its self over and over were i live and i would not drive anything else. Those chevy trucks are just trouble. Go with a relible ford.


Josh
93 F-250 7.3L Diesel 4x4

I wish he would agree with me and go with a Ford or IH, but like I said, I think he's too far gone.

Ask him to look at a F-550, I thought at first that it was a F- 350 on steriods, but after buying mine and giving it a good look, the frame is heavier- looks like 5/16-3/8 thick, the rear end is a spicer unit rated at 13,500lbs-its huge! mine is a 4x4 with a 6000lb rated dana 90 front axle, springs and steering componets make light duty trucks look like toys. The F-550 is truly a medium duty truck.

Any one seen the F650 supercruzer?