What are people's thoughts on the kodiak and top kicks as far as power, fuel economy, breaking, and overall ability to handle heavier loads. Currently we are using a 07 classic 3500 dually. Looking to upgrade to the bigger frame trucks. If you know of one for sale preferred to have lower miles and has to be 4x4 send me an email [email protected]
Kodiak thoughts for a step up from a 3500 d-max
- Thread starter wickedwhitetails
- Start date
They will handle the weight better than a dually for sure, mileage will be a bit less because of the gearing I believe they are 4.88 and 4.56? not sure on that.
Brakes are beefier as well. Compare it to a F450 and you got pretty much the same setup.
I know of an 2006 Kodiak that's for sale here in AZ with 7k miles on it if interested... I won't email you.
Brakes are beefier as well. Compare it to a F450 and you got pretty much the same setup.
I know of an 2006 Kodiak that's for sale here in AZ with 7k miles on it if interested... I won't email you.
Axles, brakes, frame, wheels and tires better then 3500 lower gears help alot!
Everything else drivetrain wise is basically the same.. Get couple more qt for oil/transmission
Everything else drivetrain wise is basically the same.. Get couple more qt for oil/transmission
Get the right air ride setup on them and they are night and day towing. They turn alot sharper too
Empty the mpg would be less, towing I would think it would be as good or better. And the kodiak is a medium duty platform, no real comparison to a pickup as far as that goes.
2wd would be best for your mileage towing, I think they are 4:88 gears were our 4wd was 5:13. You will be gear bound with a 4wd, 70 while towing with our LLY we was about 2800 rpms if I remember right and 4wd with 19.5s barely got us out of wet grass. If your mainly highway i'ld lean towards a 2wd and better mileage while towing. Just my opinion after having one
I had a 2005 (LLY/5 speed), 2wd. Built trans and Duramax Tuner tunes. It got about 11 MPG with no trailer and mixed driving (and I wasn't easy on it). 8-11 MPG depending on how heavy and fast I was towing. It made a huge difference if I towed at 65 instead of 75+.
We had a local guy with 2wd LLY and 245/70s for tires that claimed 14 empty, 10-11 with horse trailer loaded. Our 4wd loaded was anywhere from 6-9mpg but could never keep up with our zf6 on the hills when we were both hauling hay
Mine was on 19.5s too. Guys say the OD increase going to 22.5s makes a decent different in MPG but I never got mine on before I sold it.
I think your shortest 22.5 will be around 38" diameter, your taller 19.5 tire diameter is 33.5". I believe they would help a lot, problem is the Kodiak's odd bolt pattern
Alcoas in the big pattern 8 lug on the Kodiaks aren't too hard to find. I bought a set on CL for $1000 with good steers and worn out drives. The 22.5s came on the motor homes, so that's where most of them come from that I found. You can get them in 24.5s too.
I sold mine with the 22.5s, here's a picture of it after the guys that bought it put them on.
I sold mine with the 22.5s, here's a picture of it after the guys that bought it put them on.
Attachments
