Dodgefan1983
Junior Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2012
- Posts
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
- Ram Year
- 2013
- Engine
- Cummins
Hello,
after years of looking i pretty much gave up on a heavier Ram (or Ford) chassis like 4500/5500, since they are just way to rare over here.
So i guess a Ram 3500 or Ford F-350 (SRW) would be the best basis for an offroad overlander (i dont like the weak engiens of most european alternatives and old Unimog are way to slow, while new ones are way to expensive and wide). GMs are not so interesting since they dont have a solid axle in the front no more.
Now i know the Ford got the beefier front axles and the Ram the stronger rear (talking SRW of course), but what is really interesting to me are the differences in the frame design, IF those are true.
Because i got the measurements of the Ford HD frame design that is still in use from an owner and its pretty damn imressive, with the frame rails beeing massive 240x90x4.5mm (0.94x0.35x 0.18) in the most stressed mid-section.
Compared to that the RAMs data i found in sheets sound a bit small, with only 190x80x4mm (0.75x0.31x0.16) Can anyone who owns such a rig say something about the truth of that?
Of course i know there are also other facors like crossmember designe, steel quality etc. but this would be such a massive difference in the height of the rails, that it really makes me wonder how Ram can keep up in terms of towing and payload?
I mean a smaller front axle can be upgraded, but the frame is not to be touched by regulations over here.
Kind regards,
Marcus
after years of looking i pretty much gave up on a heavier Ram (or Ford) chassis like 4500/5500, since they are just way to rare over here.
So i guess a Ram 3500 or Ford F-350 (SRW) would be the best basis for an offroad overlander (i dont like the weak engiens of most european alternatives and old Unimog are way to slow, while new ones are way to expensive and wide). GMs are not so interesting since they dont have a solid axle in the front no more.
Now i know the Ford got the beefier front axles and the Ram the stronger rear (talking SRW of course), but what is really interesting to me are the differences in the frame design, IF those are true.
Because i got the measurements of the Ford HD frame design that is still in use from an owner and its pretty damn imressive, with the frame rails beeing massive 240x90x4.5mm (0.94x0.35x 0.18) in the most stressed mid-section.
Compared to that the RAMs data i found in sheets sound a bit small, with only 190x80x4mm (0.75x0.31x0.16) Can anyone who owns such a rig say something about the truth of that?
Of course i know there are also other facors like crossmember designe, steel quality etc. but this would be such a massive difference in the height of the rails, that it really makes me wonder how Ram can keep up in terms of towing and payload?
I mean a smaller front axle can be upgraded, but the frame is not to be touched by regulations over here.
Kind regards,
Marcus