Dodge 5500: Best motor, Best cab, Best frame, Best transmission, pencil sized ball joints. :victory:
Dodge balljoints where a Dana front axle deal from years ago. Rams since 2003 have an AAM front axles. While there is always room for opportunities in the aftermarket for above severe duty customers but balljoints alone seem like a minor reason for making a chassis of choice decision. Forget about GM as they totally lost their way with trucks years ago. They are chasing the retail soccer mom type truck owner.
Regarding GVW changes, there are no secrets in this industry. Us guys in the manufacturing world (engineers, product support, etc) are all college alumni, SAE pals, fishing buddies, FB friends, etc. Ratings will be ratings even if they paper engineered and fed certified. What makes one product different from another choice of component suppliers, spec limit purchase requirements, durability testing, and marketing not to mention service after the sale. Ford has done an outstanding job of maintaining the high side of the low spec limit of quality components, (basically take components other manufactures would reject from suppliers). Ford has worked themselves into a position of the fleet vehicle to have because they are the cheapest date on the block and upfitters and leasing companies love them because it is profitable “widget” on wheels to sell. Rant off. I guess, I am just tired of seeing sheeple drinking from the Stupid Duty fountain because the general populate has chose to embrace the lowest spec limit of quality at the lowest cost.
