RAM 5500 Chassis

Harry Palmer · May 17, 2020

3LFarms My understanding is the latest models of Ford F450 has a much shorter turning radius than the F350. I have a friend who has one and loves it. She totes her house all over Texas, New Mexico, and other places with it. She is also a licensed balloon pilot so she has a lift gate on it to load her balloon basket & other stuff. She named it The Beast and told me she is extremely happy with it. Of course, she bought the Platinum model so it has all the bells, whistles, and horns a person could ask to have.

I've heard the new Ford 7.3 liter gas engine is supposed to be competition for the diesel since a lot of companies are trying to get away from the expenses of the diesel engine. Has anyone heard anything about it? If it's a good engine, I may go with it since the weight penalty for the diesel really hurts when I'm looking at carrying a truck camper. Right now if I want a new truck immediately I'll need to take a diesel since none of the dealerships within 700 miles have a gas engine. This means, of course, I would need to order the truck from whatever company I end up selecting. I'm tempted to just continue driving my current truck but it doesn't have the load capacity for what I'm hauling and towing. I did that once and blew an engine on my truck when on a trip; never again! I hate to borrow money from in-laws. It makes me look like I can't manage my finances.

Harry Palmer · May 17, 2020

One of my brothers used to raise cattle and specialty hay. He had a tractor which started with a gas pony engine, but once it was warmed up you had to switch it over to the diesel fuel. I'm not sure, but I think it was an early John Deere (it was green) or a McCormick (?). This was back in the 1970's or early 1980's.

Hay Dude · Jun 5, 2020

farm boy00 said:
Definitely buy a gas truck. Diesels are no longer worth it unless your doing heavy towing frequently or pocket is lined with cash to spend.

Yeah, Im heavy towing frequently, so I qualify.

Hay Dude · Jun 5, 2020

I am not into modifying trucks, but one thing on my wish list is a serious ranch hand bumper. Anyone have one? I would have to think theres sensors, fog lights, wires, etc in the factory front bumper and it wont be easy. However, I push my truck through too much brush and the front will possibly get damaged.

Anyone have one on their rig?

dodge man · Jun 5, 2020

I was thinking maybe it’s your new Ram your allergic to. I’ll trade you my F150 even up?

For front bumpers I’ve seen a lot of bolt on setups that look OK and would probably work.

Hay Dude · Jun 5, 2020

dodge man said:
I was thinking maybe it’s your new Ram your allergic to. I’ll trade you my F150 even up?

For front bumpers I’ve seen a lot of bolt on setups that look OK and would probably work.

:laughing:

Those do look kinda cool. It looks like if you remove my stock front bumper, there’s a lot going on behind it. Long gone is the days of a simple chrome front bumper held on by 4-8 bolts.

Harry Palmer · Jun 5, 2020

Hay Dude, You might consider replacing the existing bumper with a steel bumper designed to handle the hits from critters, tumble weeds and the occasional cow. Ranch Hand makes several models which are designed to work with each manufacturer. Some you can put a winch on it if you think you might need one. Seeing all the tractors you have you probably won't need one but you can always get a tractor out of the muck by backing up.

Hay Dude · Jun 6, 2020

Harry Palmer said:
Hay Dude, You might consider replacing the existing bumper with a steel bumper designed to handle the hits from critters, tumble weeds and the occasional cow. Ranch Hand makes several models which are designed to work with each manufacturer. Some you can put a winch on it if you think you might need one. Seeing all the tractors you have you probably won't need one but you can always get a tractor out of the muck by backing up.

That’s exactly what I am considering. What concerns me is all the dang fog lights and sensors built into the factory bumper.
I have a PTO provision for a winch, but like you said with 4 4wd farm tractors, its not a big need. I really want protection from deer and brush.

These trucks are rugged, but the front grille and bumper easily damaged.