Medium Duty Truck-Dodge, Ford & Freightliner

• September
• 12

1:52 am Trucks

Dodge truck is expanding its Ram pickup line into the Class 3 segment with the Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab, offering an upfit-friendly design that does not require expensive re-engineering for body installations.

Other key features include a 50-psi steel 52-gallon fuel tank; 121.6 cubic feet of interior space for Quad Cab models and 65.2 cubic feet for regular cab models; 15,000-mile oil change intervals; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS; and optional exhaust brake.

The Ram 3500 is available with a 6-speed automatic transmission (diesel only) with PTO capability, or a 6-speed manual with PTO capability. Both 2WD and 4WD models feature a recirculating ball system that the OEM said provides precise response and on-center steering feel through lower internal friction. The truck also has solid-beam front and rear axles and a five-link, coil-spring front suspension with beam axle.

With very few changes to Ford Motor Co.’s E-Series and F-Series medium-duty trucks, base models for the E-Series continue to be the E-350 and E-450. The OEM is adding a stripped chassis configuration, including a cutaway version that can be prepped for ambulance, school bus, and shuttle bus bodies, for example.

Standard on E-Series vehicles is an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC). And for the cutaway chassis specified with the 6.0-liter PowerStroke diesel engines (built by International Truck & Engine Corp. exclusively for Ford), a 140A alternator is an option.

For gasoline fleets, the E-350 comes with a 5.4-liter EFI V8 engine, while the E-450 gets a 6.8-liter EFI V10. The transmission package for both engines is a TorqShift electronic 5-speed automatic with tow/haul mode.

Ford F-Series models F-250 through F-750 are offered with several engine options: the 5.4-liter 3-valve Triton V8 and 6.8L 3-valve Triton V10, both with electronic throttle control (ECT) and an optional 50-state emissions system; and the 6.0-liter PowerStroke V8 Turbo Diesel. All engines are available with the TorqShift 5-speed automatic transmission.

Freightliner Trucks‘ medium-duty Business Class lineup now includes an All Wheel Drive option on M2 106 and M2 106V vocational models. The front drive axle option is a part-time system that the OEM said is ideal for use in fire and rescue, utility, snowplow and municipal applications. The system is activated by the operator when AWD is needed during traction-poor conditions. It can be engaged at or below 10 mile per hour or while the vehicle is coasting on a level grade.

The AWD setup is enabled by factory-installed Meritor front drive axles. These axles utilize straight front-to-back frame rails, eliminating the need for a step frame for optimized cab height. The transfer case of the front drive axle is mounted between the transmission and rear axle. Additionally, the axle bowl is offset by 11-inches to the passenger side, matching the driveline angles and eliminating the need for a lift kit.