Talked to my dealer today about the possibility of a 04.5 3500 chassis cab. Well, bad news is that they will not be makeing a 04.5 or 05 3500 chassis cab. Reason is because they're releasing the 4500 and 5500 series trucks in the fall of this year as an 05 model. He said they will most likely come with an 8-speed M-B transmission. He also said they would be "reasonably priced". I'm sure reasonable means different things to Him and I. Looks like I'll have to get an 04.5 4x4 3500 and put a flatbed on it. Within a couple of months, I'll probably have a white dually bed for sale if anyone's interested.

 

I hadn't heard anything about 4500 & 5500 series trucks in the works. Any more info?

 

He said they've been planning them since the 3rd gens came out. What i posed earlier was about all the info I got. He said something about a gear splitter, but I didn't catch all he was saying. They'll come in the chassis & cab configuration, and 4500 is a ton and a quarter, 5500 is a ton and a half. He really thought they wouldn't be much more than the old 3500 Chassis cabs, but he didn't/couldn't give any prices. My rep. said he just got back from a meeting about the 4500/5500's last week, so this is fairly fresh info.

 

I've heard nothing, and I know some low people in high places.

 

Why in the world would they offer an eight speed?? Ton and a half truck would be fine with an auto or 6 spd pulling what it will be legal for. I really think this dealer is blowing smoke. And he got you good. Like Luke said, if something was in the pipeline, he as a dealer would know.
Look how DC kept the cap on the 600. Had lots of people EGR scared running for early production '04's. I'll believe it when I see it at the showroom.

 

I've known the guy for 12 years, been dealing with him for 6. We've bought two jeeps and 3 3500's from him. He has no reason to lie to me, and has never lied in the past. I don't know about high places, but he works at a dealership that's probably top 5 in heavy duty/cab & chassis sales in Texas. He could be wrong, but I'll take his word over anybody on this site.