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2020 gm 4500 hd HP front axle

Wow. Typical uses of these trucks include service bodys with cranes and welders or bucket trucks, dump trucks, that kind of stuff. I have seen those in 4wd. How is a truck like that going to survive with a 60 front?
 
I was looking at some new 5500's on the lot a couple weeks ago and I was assuming it was a 70 up front. I was curious if they were straight from GM or if they had a 4x4 conversion, the salesman couldn't tell me. I took a bunch of pictures though for future reference. These ones had a skid under the t-case.

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I'd also like to know if they produce a 4x4 6500 yet so I can start working on convincing the boss.
 
Even though it's a 60, I'd still like a set for a cab and chassis flatbed ranch truck I've been dreaming of for a few years.
 
my old boss just got a new rollback on this platform . didnt even have it a week and the duramax injection pump crapped out on him . the truck was out of town on a run and he had to go hook it to the dealer with one of his big trucks .

i sure hope its not a sign of problems to come for him .
 
Something to think about with these trucks, most of the cargo weight doesn't transfer to the front axle unless there is something a few thousand pounds right behind the cab (knuckle boom crane or bucket lift usually). Besides those applications there might be 2000 lbs transferred to the front axle at max weight capacity on the rear axle. Emphasis on staying within the rating of the rear axle.

Trucks this size and work use are usually overloaded though. Not uncommon for 1 ton service trucks to be at 14-16k, 4500's sitting at 18-22k pounds, etc.
 
The transfer case is geared at 3:1 and is way bigger than a NV271. Meritor says it weighs 295 pounds. Internet says the NV271 is 120 pounds.

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The gvwr on the 4500 is only a max of 16,500 lbs. The new 2020 Ford F-600 which replaces the F-550 is a max gvwr of 22,000 lbs. for comparison. Even though they look big and badass it's just an oversized pickup. Still pretty sweet though. Just watched a video and they said GM partnered with International on these new trucks. Same thing International used to do with Ford. Guaranteed this is an International Terrastar chassis. The 4x4 6500 says front axle weight rating is 8k lbs.
 
International Terrastar 4x4
Front-driving axle: Dana Spicer 70-273 single reduction, 8,000-lb. capacity, on 8,000-lb. parabolic, taper leafs
TerraStar_4x4_NTEA2011_CR-TB-__-720x516-s.jpg
@Larry do you know if the GM is on a Navistar chassis?
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Terrastar Dana 70 on top picture definitely bigger.
 
Luke, you got an international dealer by you at all? These have been sitting on the international lots with a slightly different grill for awhile now.
 
International Terrastar 4x4
Front-driving axle: Dana Spicer 70-273 single reduction, 8,000-lb. capacity, on 8,000-lb. parabolic, taper leafs
TerraStar_4x4_NTEA2011_CR-TB-__-720x516-s.jpg
@Larry do you know if the GM is on a Navistar chassis?
20200601_125151-jpg.342740

Terrastar Dana 70 on top picture definitely bigger.

Yes, the GM 4500 on up to 6500 are 100% on a Navistar chassis built in our Springfield, OH assembly plant. Only the cab and Dirtymax engine are GM. Most people don't know we have also been building the GM G-Van "cutaway" chassis cab for GM for the past few years while GM still builds the actual van themselves. GM moved the cutaway out of Wentzville years ago to make room for the new at the time Colorado/Canyon.

The front axle is actually a new piece from Dana and is closely related to a Dana 70 but I'm told some of the internals are borrowed from the 80 and its Italian Dana cousin, Carraro axle. The transfercase is also a new piece from Meritor. Its huge, beefy and hangs down wayyy to low. We're getting a lot of complaints as to how low it hangs. The damn thing is also electric shift but the encoder motor is as beefy as I've ever seen on one. Our guys claim it is more robust and durable than our older air shift transfercases although the old TerraStar 4x4 had an electric shift Fabco transfercase, which hung down even lower than this Meritor. Really, there is nothing in common between the new GM Medium duty/International CV and the old TerraStar 4x4 other than the frame rails and steering gear. Even the rear suspension was updated
 
Luke, you got an international dealer by you at all? These have been sitting on the international lots with a slightly different grill for awhile now.
No unfortunately we don't have any of that around here any more. I live in the sticks and kinda miss all the stuff I used to be involved in at the International dealer but have a way better job now.
 
So you're kind of telling me they share the same chassis so that international passenger drop 70f has 32" spring spacing like this new 4500?
 
So you're kind of telling me they share the same chassis so that international passenger drop 70f has 32" spring spacing like this new 4500?

Can't guarantee that as the front and rear spring hangers have all changed since the pass drop TerraStar 4x4 days. I don't have access to any documents that list the spring spacing
 
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