is it just the running gear. is the motor, tranny, transfer case and chasey all the same. it seems that all they did was put heavier springs and axels under the 4500&5500. maybe the drive shaft also. i'm thinking it would be cheeper to make my truck a 5500 then to go buy one. i pulled my 3500 c/c next to a 5500 . it all looks the same. just the bigger axels and springs. can i have a body/truck builder install the axels and put a new sticker on the door for the heavier gvw. ..... does anyone have a c/c the has the sticker from dodge that says there rear axel is 9350 . my truck is 5200 front 9350 rear but only 12500 gvw. is dodges math off . need help!!! need to carry more weight for work and be able to cross the scales

 

come on guys someone has to know

 

the frames are different, suspension is heavier

 

trust me the frame is thicker and more reinforced, I lost a $50 bet with a salesman that the 3500 C&C was the same frame, it is .110" thicker on the 5500 vs the 3500

 

As far as automatic transmissions are concerned, I believe the 5500 is supposed to have the Aisin 6-speed auto that can be found in Hino-Toyota medium-duty trucks and is supposed to be a damn-fine transmission... if you don't mind the "Made in Japan" placard on it's side. Not sure if the CC 3500 also has this trans or the 68RFE the non-commercial full-bodied 2500's-3500's come with.

 

as far as I know, all cab and chassis trucks have the aisin tranny but could be wrong. also they are de-rated for power