International 4700 crew cab VS Dodge 3500

ytmonty

Observer
IMO the binder. If you got the $$$ convert it to 4wd. why not raise the deck 6". you'll need the room for the bigger tires anyway. would be a stompin truck!
 

easyshell

Member
I have air bags in the dodge and they make the truck sawy way worse than having overload springs in it They also don't raise the gvw of the truck.

I really like the IH and am trying to come up with a good solution to my steps that need to go 64" high. I have the fold up steps for with the dodge but they are so flimsy. I am also thinking of doing an out door kitchen off of the one side of the camper so that we don't have to go inside all that often.

On the down side to both trucks is I just came back from an icefishing trip and went in a buddys dodge and camper and it was way to heavy to go where all the smaller tucks went. I guess one needs multiple Trucks to do everything and get everywhere.....
 

98roamer

Explorer
IH all the way; add some recovery tools with maybe a small moto.

I've always liked the idea of a fold down deck/porch off the back. It could be used as a step down landing with stairs coming off the side if needed. If you have the skills, which I don't.
 

Buliwyf

Viking with a Hammer
I have air bags in the dodge and they make the truck sawy way worse than having overload springs in it

Did you tie the bags together or install them isolated from each other. The bags have to be isolated, just like tires. You can't feed them with just one line, if you do the truck will rock and sway all kinds of crazy. Been there, done that.


They also don't raise the gvw of the truck.

I really like the IH and am trying to come up with a good solution to my steps that need to go 64" high. I have the fold up steps for with the dodge but they are so flimsy. I am also thinking of doing an out door kitchen off of the one side of the camper so that we don't have to go inside all that often.

Those stairs are taller than just about ever woman I ever dated. LOLz.

On the down side to both trucks is I just came back from an icefishing trip and went in a buddys dodge and camper and it was way to heavy to go where all the smaller tucks went. I guess one needs multiple Trucks to do everything and get everywhere.....

Dirtbike, 4 wheeler, snowmobile. Who needs little trucks when you can tow an ATV. I just get "close enough" then unload my bike for hardcore offroading.
 

blakeape

Adventurer
I might have missed it but do you plan on or need to sell one of the trucks? I think the Dodge could be beefed up enough to handle the camper (what does it way?) with some air bags and a set of 19.5 wheels and tires. However the International would be safer, roomier, and never feel the weight. It sounds like you need the capacity of the 4700 for other tasks so a 4wd conversion would be beneficial for more than just camping. To deal with the door height on the 4700, what about making a set of stairs that doubles as one of the bed rails. Have it drop into stake pockets to keep all your gear on the bed sides in place while driving, but pop out and become the stairs at camp. You could figure out some thing for the railing that could clip or bolt on to the stairs.
 

easyshell

Member
I have the air bags on seperate controls for each side.

I have no plan to sell either truck The dodge is the wifes ride till we get her somthing else.

I have thought about the rear deck idea but then for towing a trailer the tounge of the trailer has to be real long or the hitch extension long (either has to be long as it is right now and want to keep it as short as possible)

I like the idea of the stairs being the side to the deck. I have 28" from the deck to the camper so it would give me a nice wide stair case.
 

easyshell

Member
We have done a few trips and done a few mods
-Built a set of stairs that are nice and stable
-put a locker in the back
-built a new trailer and got a new exploration vehical (rzr4) to go from base camp
-had to built a new trailer hitch b/c old one broke off 2 min out of camp on a logging road 1 hr from a main road
-mounted a 12,000 lb winch has been well used so far need 4x4
got plans and mat for a new deck and cradle for the camper hopefully soon if work allows
I also have to take the side awning off so it does not get ripped off by trees
The front bumper is in the works as well just need more time which is a tossup go away or work on stuff (going away usually wins)


We took the whole setup out with both trucks and the dodge can't handle it. I went over the scales last trip and the whole setup weighed 21000 lbs (10,000 on rear axle)
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0663.JPG
    IMG_0663.JPG
    108.2 KB · Views: 36
  • IMG_0662.JPG
    IMG_0662.JPG
    103.3 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_0656.JPG
    IMG_0656.JPG
    94.6 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_0267.JPG
    IMG_0267.JPG
    44.8 KB · Views: 384
  • erics 001.jpg
    erics 001.jpg
    54.8 KB · Views: 33

easyshell

Member
Thanks
I have decided to go in a new direction. I have sold the dodge and bought a VW tdi wagon to replace it image.jpgimage.jpg
I bought a front axle for the international
image.jpg


I then blew the tranny and had to do about 10k worth of work to the international that I did not want to do by choice. So I went to to the dealership and ordered a new truck. I started to try and buy a truck back in may/June 2013 I still don't have it yet.
I have piles of aluminum to build a deck and boxes but no truck to put it on. I never thought it would be so hard to buy a new truck.
 

Bernard_Roofus

"Jackaroo of all trades"
Where did you find that axle? I want to convert my 4700 to a 4x4 as well. Bummer on the new truck, hope it all works out.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
 

quickfarms

Adventurer
What is the capacity of the new front axle? It looks a little light for a medium duty.

What transmission did you have that blew?
 

easyshell

Member
I found the axle in northern Alberta it is out of a c5500 it is rated for 8000lbs and has hyd brakes to match my truck. The spring perches are perfect and the steering is the same. I am thinking of selling it or doing the conversion to the truck then selling the truck. The transmission in the truck was the spicer 6+1.
 

Shocker

VanDOOM!
Yeah, that axle is deceptive looking in the pic. I appears to be a Dana 80. 11k GWAR for most applications. That is a great front axle.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
189,914
Messages
2,922,126
Members
233,083
Latest member
Off Road Vagabond
Top