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4 2008 Competitive Comparison
Dodge Ram 4500/
Sterling Bullet
» Competes against C4500
» Chassis cab version of Ram
pickup line
» 16,500 lb. GVWR only
» 6.7L Cummins I6 diesel only
» 2WD and 4WD
» Coil spring front suspension
» Regular Cab and Quad Cab
» 4 WB for regular cab, 2 WB for
Quad Cab
» 3 trim levels on Quad Cab, 2
trim levels on Regular Cab
» Standard 6-speed manual,
optional 6-speed automatic
» Final information not available
until September 2007
• More available wheelbase
choices on Crew Cab, to meet
customer needs (4 vs. 2)
• Accommodate bodies to 18 ft.
in length, to meet customer
needs (only to 16 ft. on Dodge)
• Higher max. GVWR (17,500 lb.
vs. 16,500 lb.) results in higher
payload capability — nearly
1500 lb. higher for base diesel-
equipped vehicles
• Tighter turning diameter (curb-
to-curb) for comparable cab-to-
axle (51.3 ft. vs. 54.2 ft. for
120 in. CA )
• Heavy-duty Allison 6-speed
overdrive automatic is standard
on C4500 with both engines.
Allison transmission is well-
known for durability vs. option-
al Aisin 6-speed automatic
• Rugged taperleaf front springs
are durable, low-maintenance
and handle heavy loads. Dodge
uses 5-link coil-spring front
suspension
• Exterior grab handle to assist
entry and exit (not available on
Dodge)
• Longer frame warranty can
contribute to lower service
costs (5 years/unlimited miles
vs. 3 years/36,000 miles
• Large, retractable mirrors add
to driver visibility (smaller mir-
rors on Ram 4500)
• Large, secure foot step eases
entry and exit, adds to safety
(Dodge only has optional step
bars)
• Longer service interval helps
reduce maintenance costs
(Up to 10,000 mi. between oil
changes vs. 5000 mi. max. for
Dodge)
• Priority Access Service System
provides easy engine access
(limited engine access on
Dodge)
• Higher frame yield strength
(80,000 psi vs. 50,000 psi) and
higher frame RBM (610,400 lb.-
ft./in. vs. 257,500 lb.-ft./in. cal-
culated at rear of frame) for
durability in heavy use
• More available cab storage,
with door-sill storage boxes and
storage under passenger seat
• C4500 frame is full depth for
the entire load length, providing
strength for end-of-frame
equipment and body attach-
ment. Dodge frame uses weak-
er reduced depth behind cab
• Available air seats for driver and
front passenger add comfort for
all-day work, plus work-center
console provides needed stor-
age room for vocational use
(Dodge has no air seat options)
• Available commercial-grade gas
engine offers low cost, easy
fuel availability and simple serv-
ice (not available on Dodge)
• Oil life monitor reminds drivers
of service needs, contributing
to a long life (not available on
Dodge)
• Much shorter BBC (105 in. vs.
122.9 in.) contributes to greater
maneuverability and longer CA
for any given wheelbase
• Longer maximum cab to end of
frame dimensions enable longer
payload lengths (204 in. vs.
172 in.)
Ford E-450 Super Duty
» Competes against C4500. New
front-end styling for 2008
» E-450 Super Duty is chassis
cab version of E-Series van and
cutaway
» 14,500 lb. GVWR only
» Only 2 wheelbase choices
» 5.4L V8 or 6.8L V10 gas
» 6.0L V8 diesel
» Automatic transmission only
» Available natural gas engine
» Room for only 2 people — no
center seat
» No crew cab
» Limited choice of options
» Limited vocational application
besides cube van
• Available Crew Cab with room
for up to 6 people vs. E-450
seating for maximum of 2
• Available with seating for 3
people and work-ready center
console in regular cab (E-450
has 2 bucket seats, no console)
• More available wheelbase
choices, to meet customer
needs (4 vs. 2 for reg. cab)
• Accommodate bodies to 18 ft.
in length (only to 16 ft. on
E-450 Super Duty)
• Built from the ground up as a
commercial vehicle, with medi-
um-duty truck components and
design (E-450 is a cutaway van
or modified chassis cab)
• Higher base GVWR (16,500 lb.
vs. 14,500 lb.)
• Higher maximum GVWR
(17,500 lb. vs. 14,500 lb.)
• Wide track I-Beam front axle
with taperleaf springs provides
excellent ride and load-carrying
capabilities, with a constant
camber to help reduce tire wear
(Twin I-Beam with coil springs
on E-450 Super Duty)
• Tighter turning diameter (curb-
to-curb) for comparable cab-to-
axle (51.3 ft./188 in. WB vs.
59.9 ft./176 in. WB)
• Higher front GAWR and axle
capacity
for durability with heavy
loads
(7000 lb. vs. 5000 lb.)
• Priority Access Service System
provides easy engine accessi-
bility for quicker service and
maintenance (limited engine
access on E-450 Super Duty)
• Standard Allison 6-speed auto-
matic transmission vs. Ford
5-speed automatic. Additional
overdrive gear ratio contributes
to higher fuel economy
• Longer Allison automatic
transmission warranty (3 years/
unlimited miles vs. 3 years/
36,000 miles for Ford)
• Available diesel engine. Ford
has eliminated diesel engine
choice on E-Series for 2008
• Large, secure foot step, for
safety and ease of entry and
exit (No outside step on E-450)
• Higher rear GAWR and axle
capacity, for durability with
heavy loads (11,000 lb. and
13,500 lb. vs. 9450 lb.)
• Higher frame yield strength,
for durability with heavy loads
(80,000 psi vs. 36,000 psi)
• Higher RBM, for durability with
heavy loads (610,400 lb.-ft./in.
vs. 363,600 lb.-ft./in.)
•
Straight, flat frame rails for easy
body installation. E-Series frame
rails rise over rear axle
• Vortec 8.1L gas engine has 20
more horsepower and 30 more
lb.-ft. of torque than E-450, to
accelerate and tow heavy loads
• Larger brakes help stop heavy
loads (15-in. discs vs. 13-in.
front and 12.9-in. rear discs)
• More available cab storage,
with door-sill storage boxes,
glove box and storage under
passenger seat
• Available air seats for driver and
front passenger, plus work-
center console (E-450 has no
air seat or center console
options)
C4500 Advantages over Dodge Ram 4500/Sterling Bullet
C4500 Advantages over Ford E-450 Super Duty
1 2008 Competitive Comparison
3500 model shown