C5500 TopKick 4x4 Crew Cab Build
- Thread starter NeverEnough
- Start date
NeverEnough
Adventurer
Kinda embarrassing- 13'3" with the new tires. I have to dump the airbags to get under the garage door opener on my storage unit, and even that's a close haircut
Kelly 4x4 said:
That's a very cool rig!!! Mine is PPG's Buff Brown.....
How much clearance do you have under your spare? I'm still trying to figure out where to put mine. On the Topkick, I had the spare mounted under the rails behind the axle, and assumed I'd do the same with the new truck, but even though the new chassis is way higher off the ground, the new single XZLs are so fat that I'm afraid I'll be severely reducing my already crappy departure angle.
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
That looks simply outstanding! I really love the colors as well. There is more than enough black around the truck to totally complement the cabin of the truck! Wow… It sure looks very very nice.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
That just looks right, it has really come together with the new platform. Nice work.
NeverEnough
Adventurer
A quick trip to the desert....
So with the winter activity conditions being so marginal (we need snow), and my youngest son looking for something to do, we loaded up the rig this morning, picked up his buddy and his father, and headed out to Utah's west desert in the House Range, where it hit 48 degrees today- crazy warm. This was the first road test for the new truck w/camper.
The first task was driving it from SLC to Park City over Parley's Summit. I was curious to see how it would handle the grade, but I now know that I have plenty of truck for my camper. Having driven my friend's 7400 with the DT466, I wasn't expecting speedy, but I was actually surprised at how effortless that hill was with my truck (DT570). It pulled the grade at 50-55 at 2000-2200 rpm, engine temp never budged. It simply didn't care about the hill.
I did 150 miles on the highway, about half interstate, with the cruise set at 62. I was dreading a 20 mile cupped section of I-15 near Nephi, UT, but the ride was WAY BETTER than my Topkick ever hoped for. The air suspension, cab suspension, and air ride seats did the trick. I was also surprised at how little noise and vibration I got from the big XZL's (none).
But the best part of the drive was getting off the pavement for 25 miles, most of which was washboard. The truck flew at 50+ as smooth as if I was still on the pavement. My son was riding in the camper and didn't even know we'd left the highway. We found a nice little site to setup camp, shot some clay pigeons and are enjoying the solitude.
It'll be interesting to see how the camper's heating system performs tonight-forecast low is 16 degrees! Wish I'd brought a decent camera to capture the moonrise and amazing stars tonight. Tomorrow we'll try to find a few trilobites or geode's, shoot a bit more, then roll back home. I like my new truck!!!
So with the winter activity conditions being so marginal (we need snow), and my youngest son looking for something to do, we loaded up the rig this morning, picked up his buddy and his father, and headed out to Utah's west desert in the House Range, where it hit 48 degrees today- crazy warm. This was the first road test for the new truck w/camper.
The first task was driving it from SLC to Park City over Parley's Summit. I was curious to see how it would handle the grade, but I now know that I have plenty of truck for my camper. Having driven my friend's 7400 with the DT466, I wasn't expecting speedy, but I was actually surprised at how effortless that hill was with my truck (DT570). It pulled the grade at 50-55 at 2000-2200 rpm, engine temp never budged. It simply didn't care about the hill.
I did 150 miles on the highway, about half interstate, with the cruise set at 62. I was dreading a 20 mile cupped section of I-15 near Nephi, UT, but the ride was WAY BETTER than my Topkick ever hoped for. The air suspension, cab suspension, and air ride seats did the trick. I was also surprised at how little noise and vibration I got from the big XZL's (none).
But the best part of the drive was getting off the pavement for 25 miles, most of which was washboard. The truck flew at 50+ as smooth as if I was still on the pavement. My son was riding in the camper and didn't even know we'd left the highway. We found a nice little site to setup camp, shot some clay pigeons and are enjoying the solitude.
It'll be interesting to see how the camper's heating system performs tonight-forecast low is 16 degrees! Wish I'd brought a decent camera to capture the moonrise and amazing stars tonight. Tomorrow we'll try to find a few trilobites or geode's, shoot a bit more, then roll back home. I like my new truck!!!
charlieaarons
Explorer
For what it is worth, I have a 20000 lb DP winch on the front of my Unimog and a 15K lb Superwinch on the rear - both hydraulic. The truck is 26-28000 lb, fully loaded with my ton or 2 of spare parts, tools and extra spare tires.
Other comment: I read the entire thread to figure out when you switched from Topkick to 7400. The Topkick's axles would definitely NOT have handled the 395s. I believe the TK has some sort of "Super Dana 60" in the front and something comparable to the Dana 110 in the rear. 395s would break a Dana 60 under heavy load with little provocation.
Do you have a rear locking diff on the 7400? It is an option.
Charlie
Other comment: I read the entire thread to figure out when you switched from Topkick to 7400. The Topkick's axles would definitely NOT have handled the 395s. I believe the TK has some sort of "Super Dana 60" in the front and something comparable to the Dana 110 in the rear. 395s would break a Dana 60 under heavy load with little provocation.
Do you have a rear locking diff on the 7400? It is an option.
Charlie
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
You have to be happy with how this has turned out! That's a sweet looking camp shot there! Glad to hear you're out using it!
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
Looks great!
Let me know if you ever head out to Colorado. So,e great trails to ride here! (Been to Ouray yet?)
Let me know if you ever head out to Colorado. So,e great trails to ride here! (Been to Ouray yet?)
NeverEnough
Adventurer
At least once every year. Silverton overlook on 550 in September, family motorcycle trip (youngest rides pillion with me):
Anniversary trip with wife in July:
I love Colorado, especially the San Juans. I'll send you a PM next time we venture over.
Every Miles a Memory said:
Got back a few hours ago, and I'm very happy with the new chassis. Tried out the 4WD, high and low, so far so good. Clearance is great, and the ride is so much smoother than I anticipated, on and off the highway. Gas mileage sucks, however. Got about 8 on this trip $$$$$.
charlieaarons said:
Hey Charlie, have you ever had to use them? I'm hoping mine will only be used for pulling somebody else out of a mess. I haven't hit the scales yet, but I'll bet I'm 27,000 and change, maybe more. And after today's driving, I'm glad I never busted an axle on the Topkick. Of course, I never did anything to push the limits either. I actually looked into upgrading the axles, but nobody would do it, at least here in Utah. And then I would've been stressed about the driveline, so I pulled the trigger on the bigger truck. The "Rig Dig" report said it had the locking differential, but it doesn't. There where several items for my VIN that were wrong on the report. I rarely push the limits on my dirtbike these days, so I hope I won't miss it. I had such a crappy experience with the local International/Navistar dealer's service and parts that I'm not real excited about having to try and change anything.
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
An anniversary in the San Juan mountains sounds like an excellent idea!
Very happy to hear the truck is working out better for you, and that you're going to be able to enjoy it finally!
Very happy to hear the truck is working out better for you, and that you're going to be able to enjoy it finally!
charlieaarons
Explorer
I've used each winch once or twice.
Charlie
Charlie
Got back a few hours ago, and I'm very happy with the new chassis. Tried out the 4WD, high and low, so far so good. Clearance is great, and the ride is so much smoother than I anticipated, on and off the highway. Gas mileage sucks, however. Got about 8 on this trip $$$$$.
You can pay a bit more for fuel, or a lot more for broken parts, tow trucks, and lost trips due to breakdowns! I'm OK with 9-10 MPG!
You can pay a bit more for fuel, or a lot more for broken parts, tow trucks, and lost trips due to breakdowns! I'm OK with 9-10 MPG!