international 4x4 vs f550 vd 5500

[bjlffire]

I have been told that International is the only manufature that builds their own 4x4 chassis and that ford and chevy send them out for retrofit.

First would this be correct?

Also any likes dislikes for each?

No outright bashing just practical applications. Thanks

[npfd801]

I have been told that International is the only manufature that builds their own 4x4 chassis and that ford and chevy send them out for retrofit.

First would this be correct?

Also any likes dislikes for each?

No outright bashing just practical applications. Thanks

I think Ford and Chevy farm out the 4x4 conversions when you go beyond the F550 and GM5500 models, but I can't state that as a fact.

I also thought Freightliner was also doing their own 4x4 work now on the medium duty chassis. I know they weren't not that long ago.

I'll try to verify my thoughts here by doing a bit of research...

[npfd801]

Well - this link backs up the Freightliner comment above.

http://trailer-bodybuilders.com/news...-axles-081805/

[FyredUp]

Not bashing anyone's product but you need to really need to look closely at these chassis depending on your planned usage.

The GMC 5500 has no way of putting in a throttle to run the pump without voiding the factory warranty. I need to research if the same holds true for the Ford 550 and since I am not sure at this point I won't say one way or the other.

The GMC 5500 and the Ford F550 are both limited to a PTO pump of 500 gpm or less with an automatic transmission.

The IH, Freightliner and the GMC 7500 are all good choices for a small first attack vehicle.

FyredUp

[dragonfyre]

GM makes the GMC & Chevy 4500 & 5500 4X in the plant in Flint Michigan. If you want 4X for the 6500, 7500 or 8500's then Monroe Truck Equipment does the conversion.

[mcaldwell]

I have been told that International is the only manufature that builds their own 4x4 chassis and that ford and chevy send them out for retrofit.

First would this be correct?

Also any likes dislikes for each?

NFPD801's link back up my experience.

I tested a Rosenbauer Timberwolf up at Rocky Mountain Phoenix Vehicles in Red Deer in the early fall, and they stated that FL was currently farming out the 4x4 installs, but that in-house units were "imminent".

Looks like they finally got the line up and running.

As for preference.

IH has the experience and a very good name when it comes to in-house 4x4 chassis. FL used to be more costly (due to the outsourcing), but hopefully that will now change. The new line of axles is unproven in that install as of yet, but I had not heard any significat complaints about the FL's either.

I suspect when we order our 4x4 wildland engine later this year, it will be on the FL chassis, considering local service and consistency with our fleet, but I would be just as happy with the IH. It was a nice roomy unit, and while more spartan/basic on the interior, that may be better (easier to mount add-ons, and clean up.).

[5FVFC3]

W. S. Darley is offering F550 with 1000 gpm midship pump and with auto tranny. All with factory warranties. We have had ours since June of 06 with no problems.

[npfd801]

Man, I'm not trying to start anything, but are you sure Ford will warranty that tranny? Darley may be doing the warranty on the tranny for you, but I've heard from numerous builders that while the motor and tranny combo will drive a pump that large, there are cooling issues with the tranny driving that load, and Ford voids the transmission warranty if it goes south in such an application...

I know of another builder that did a similar build, and they were saying that they found a way to make things work, were confident that the tranny would hold, but that THEY were the one providing the warranty for the transmission since Ford would not.

[Rescue101]

First lets compare units.The International 4x4 are in series 4800 and above.There is NO way to compare these to a 4500 or a 550 because they're TWICE the vehicle.550 with a 1000 on a manual tranny,no problem.I'm sure both Darley and Hale make a 1000 for the auto but I'm unsure who's carrying the warranty liability.1000 on the Navistar is NO CONTEST.Electronic throttle conversion on a 550 is no problem.On a GM? Depends on the unit.But the last of my Gm's went Bye bye and there will never be another in our fleet so for us it's a non issue. T.C.