Fish'nFool
07-01-2012, 11:12 AM
Set-up for the everyday man, they are nice looking monster trucks. Does anyone have any experience with this model GMC with the 6.6l turbo diesel?
Trucks & Trailers - GMC Topkick 4500...
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View Full Version : GMC Topkick 4500...
alaska repower
07-01-2012, 11:28 PM
Basically same setup as all the other duramx setups, have them where I work on the north slope and they are actually replacing engines and trannys ( oil field use of thousands of hours not mileage) since the 4500 is no longer offered from GM. Talked to several contractors that have all said they wouldnt trade them for nothing .... good running rig . I have a 3500 with close to 175000 miles on it .
BadgerS
07-02-2012, 06:44 PM
I had a 5500 4x4 2005 with a 11 foot gooseneck flatbed.
Good:
Ran like a top
Geared really low 5.13
Can haul way more than I am licensed for
Tight turning radius for what they are
Far far more reliable than a 6.0 powered f450/f550
Bigger axles than Ford
Allison 1000RDS is a step up from 3500 transmission
Bad
BRUTAL ride when empty, a lot of people add air ride suspension and or seats
Small fuel tank on early 4x4s (32 gallons)
Front hubs blow apart
If used they are hard on rear brakes and rear diff. I sold mine to a friend who now has 100k miles of hard miles. I sold it with 15,000 miles on it.
Those 15,000 miles were very, very hard miles, probably 5.000 miles in reverse... No kidding. It was my mainline snow plow truck for three years when I lived at 10,000 feet. I have pictures of all 6 tires chained up pushing 42" of snow that was coming over the hood. I had a 10' Boss V plow. When the truck got stuck it was buried, but it was a beast.
No frigging way would I drive it other when I needed to tow or haul something huge. I literally ended up with skin being rubbed of on my shoulder from the seat fabric on one empty 3 hour highway ride. I had a blood stain on my shirt. That is how rough the ride was on mine.
I would recommend a 4200 International if you don't need 4wd.
Good:
Ran like a top
Geared really low 5.13
Can haul way more than I am licensed for
Tight turning radius for what they are
Far far more reliable than a 6.0 powered f450/f550
Bigger axles than Ford
Allison 1000RDS is a step up from 3500 transmission
Bad
BRUTAL ride when empty, a lot of people add air ride suspension and or seats
Small fuel tank on early 4x4s (32 gallons)
Front hubs blow apart
If used they are hard on rear brakes and rear diff. I sold mine to a friend who now has 100k miles of hard miles. I sold it with 15,000 miles on it.
Those 15,000 miles were very, very hard miles, probably 5.000 miles in reverse... No kidding. It was my mainline snow plow truck for three years when I lived at 10,000 feet. I have pictures of all 6 tires chained up pushing 42" of snow that was coming over the hood. I had a 10' Boss V plow. When the truck got stuck it was buried, but it was a beast.
No frigging way would I drive it other when I needed to tow or haul something huge. I literally ended up with skin being rubbed of on my shoulder from the seat fabric on one empty 3 hour highway ride. I had a blood stain on my shirt. That is how rough the ride was on mine.
I would recommend a 4200 International if you don't need 4wd.