If you could build

[ISurvivedNMU]

If you could build, order, whatever, the perfect 1 1/2 ton dump truck, what would it be...

It will be used in smaller jobs that our current 3500 dump cannot handle. It was mentioned that the size of the Kodiac was not an issue.

Maybe it would be worth looking at a 650 with the cummins...

This will be used for a municipality, who has a large dump, but used with a backhoe. It will not tow the backhoe.

Any other info needed... Our other dump is a 95 and has 20,000 miles on it... Maybe there is no sense in a new diesel, since this truck will be with us for 15+ years...

Thanks for the help

 

[dt4666man22]

If it was going to be used to tow a Back hoe like you say
A Cat C7 210-230HP with a 7spd would be perfect in a 650 dump

 

[Duke]

Brian,

I would go with whoever gives you the best deal. Let's face it, an F-650/750 is basically built by IH on the Blue Diamond assembly line for Ford now anyway. The GMC 6500 series are decent, too, but I would much rather have an IH4400 with DT power than an F-650 with a C-7 or a GMC 6500.

The IH DT series can be speced from 195-300HP and is the benchmark for M/D diesels. It's cheaper to repair & maintain than a CAT. There's also a much larger dealer network for IH than Ford or GMC medium. IH also has more tranny options. IH is the biggest builder of M/D trucks, and there's a reason for that....it's their specialty and they're good at it.

If you want a cheaper truck, get a Freightliner....not as good, but cheap.

If you want higher end, get a 330 Peterbilt.....awesome little truck.

 

[ISurvivedNMU]

This is NOT going to pull the backhoe, but will be a smaller dump for worksites, are the trucks you mensiond comparable to the size of a 4500

 

[Duke]

No way, much bigger. A 4500 is a 16,000-17,000 GVW dump. Just a hair bigger than my F-450 4x4.

Sounds like yo need a 4500/5500 or a F-550.

When you say you need a "1&1/2 ton" truck, they would be more than that.

Even my puny little F-450 has a payload of 3&1/2 tons.

If you bought a F-650 or GMC 6500 and speced it at 26,000GVWR, it would have a payload of ~6 tons.

 

[ISurvivedNMU]

Duke what I meant by that, wasa 4500-5500... The 2500's are called 3/4, 3500 1 ton... I was just keeping on going up the scale....

I want a smaller dump, but a quality one that I can load... I am also thinking of going Gas, since this will be here for so long, with few miles.... Any reason to get the 6.0? Seems in 10 years it would be a pain to fix... same with the duramax, is it a long-term engine with low miles?

 

[Duke]

You'd be fine with big-block gas, especially if you're not towing. What gas engine would have trouble pulling just the load in the bed? None of them would. Plus you'll save $5,000 bucks, that;ll pay for 4 wheel drive, if you need it.

Do you need 4x4?

Ford's V-10 is now 362HP & ~450TQ and I hear ZERO complaints about them. The GM gassers were having knocking problems, but I'm sure they're OK, too.

My view is this: If you want a truck that handles like a pick-up and is easy for repeated in/out the doors all day, go with the 450/550 just for the ergonomics.

If they're not enough truck, go to the 4500/5500, but remember, they're as big as a traditional M/D, but without the payload or towing capacity.

 

[ISurvivedNMU]

There is not doubt there will be 4x4.. I have $50 grand to build this truck, should have mensioned that... The more I think about it, I like the f550 with the v10... but the more choices that fit in my price range the better...

 

[dt4666man22]

Here are the prices of an F550 4x4 with a V10 and a torqueshift
If you get a 6 spd it is $-1490. And they have a but load of incentives for comm trucks right now:

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 141 in. WB DRW HD XL $34,860 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 165 in. WB DRW HD XL $35,060 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 189 in. WB DRW HD XL $35,180 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 201 in. WB DRW HD XL $35,255 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Super Cab 162 in. WB DRW HD XL $37,185 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 141 in. WB DRW HD XLT $37,875 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 165 in. WB DRW HD XLT $38,075 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Crew Cab 176 in. WB DRW HD XL $38,165 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 189 in. WB DRW HD XLT $38,190 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Regular Cab 201 in. WB DRW HD XLT $38,275 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Crew Cab 200 in. WB DRW HD XL $38,340 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Super Cab 162 in. WB DRW HD XLT $40,435 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Crew Cab 176 in. WB DRW HD XLT $42,070 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Crew Cab 200 in. WB DRW HD XLT $42,240 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Super Cab 162 in. WB DRW HD Lariat $42,965 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Crew Cab 176 in. WB DRW HD Lariat $44,345 MSRP

2005 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD Crew Cab 200 in. WB DRW HD Lariat $44,515 MSRP

 

[dt4666man22]

so you could build a hell of a truck with 50g's
What size body do you plan to put on it?

 

[ISurvivedNMU]

Gonna go with a regular cab.... WHEW, I hope the dump box is cheap....

 

[dt4666man22]

Since it's gonna be a work truck it's gonna be an Auto right?
you might be able to get a dump box that is a few years old in good shape for a fair price.

 

[ISurvivedNMU]

Well, yeah, probably an auto so they guys can drive it..... and no, he box has to be new....

 

[dt4666man22]

I don't know how much dump's run but a good flatbed for a Fseries costs a good 12-1500 so i imagine it is a good bit of money for a new dump

If you look on the ford commercial site you could spec it out to see what it will run you and then find out how much a box will be .

 

[Duke]

A 9' dumpbox with installation for a F-550 is gonna run you a minimum of $6,000 and could go over $10,000 if you go with stainless steel/aluminum and extra goodies, like flashers, coal chutes, etc.

You'll be able to get a 550 4x4 diesel/auto with a 9' or 11' dump box for under $50,000. The truck itself with the average amount of equipment will run ~$42,000 with a diesel, that leaves $8,000 for tax and a dump.

Do yourself a favor, get an 11' dump on the medium length cab to axle(164.8" W/B). The 9' dump is cool looking on the 141", but isn't all that big (only about 3 yards). A 550 has enough payload to carry more volume than will fit in a 9' bed, if you know what I mean. Look at it this way, a 9' bed is about 3 yards. Your average 3 yard load of soil or stone weighs about 3&1/2 tons. An F-550 has a payload of more like 4-4&1/2 tons, so an 11' bed is a better choice. Besides, it's better for long branches, boards, etc. if you need to carry them.