Chevy ups the ante in the medium duty truck sector

Unfortunately the Topkick/Kodiak had problems of their own. I liked the trucks but they were very high maintenance. I ran an '06 C5500 for about 2 years. The shop had a fleet of them. They loved to eat u-joints, handling wasn't the greatest (body sway), rode rough, air seat was crap and we were lucky to get 2 months out of the disc brakes in spring/fall (muddy season). They also went through air filter housings. They'd rub against the A/C lines and chew through the housing and lines.

On the plus side though they had great mirrors and the Duramax had decent power (by the seat of the pants it felt like it had more balls than the 6.7L Powerstroke in the F550 I drive now). Exhaust brake/downshift programming was pretty good. Could come down a 6% without touching the brakes and actually slow down a bit while weighing in at just over 20k lbs. Ground clearance was great for being out in the bush too.

 

We don't have real Toyotas in North America.

 

The toys I've owned were rarely in the shop.
Always got great life from them and easy to work on.

 

I just got off the phone with a Chevy dealer and verified that for the first time in 10 years, Chevy is building a real truck that won't fall apart when it hits a speed bump. This will be the first time since 1987 that Chevy has built a 4WD truck on par with Ford and Dodge one tons. The 1991-2001 3500HD was only available in 2 wheel drive from Chevy, and if you wanted a four-wheel drive version with the Dana 80 you had to get it from Tulsa truck or Monroe Truck and it was a custom job. The 2019 4500HD comes standard with Front Axle, 7500 Lbs, Dana Spicer 60-256, Single-Reduction, Front Driving (4x4) Front Axle, 7000 Lbs, Dana Spicer D800-N, "I"-Beam, Non-Driving (4x2) Lots of upgrades will be available and It doesn't appear the Dana 80 will be on the table, although I'm sure that Monroe Truck and Tulsa truck will be offering the Dana 80 4x4 option but it won't be coming from the Chevy dealer directly, but at least it will be a direct bolt-in.


All New 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Chassis Cab Trucks | GM Fleet

 

No extended cab option? GAAAAAYYYY!!!!