Looking at Kodiaks/Topkicks. Good, Bad??
#11
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#12
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I've owned my 2004 5500 series Kodiak with the Monroe conversion for 5 years. Mine is a two wheel drive with air ride. I tow my cat and a 48 ft. enclosed car trailer. It does a great job pulling and more important does a great job stopping. Be careful, you will probably need a CDL to drive it legally while towing and with a wide cat, a wide load permit. They seem to be a bigger and more attractive target for the commercial DOT cops. Good luck. Doug
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If you look at one with the duramax I would stay away from
LB7 (VIN #1 8th digit)
Also if you get a 4500 that truck is considered a "light duty" so any dealer can work on it. All 5500 and up are medium duty and would need to go to a medium duty dealer. If you find one you like get the VIN# and I can run it and give you some history on it.
LB7 (VIN #1 8th digit)
Also if you get a 4500 that truck is considered a "light duty" so any dealer can work on it. All 5500 and up are medium duty and would need to go to a medium duty dealer. If you find one you like get the VIN# and I can run it and give you some history on it.
#16
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Had a Topkick JF lent me for a while, it was kind of cool but man you need elbow pads for these things, they are bouncy as hell.
If your spending this kind of dough go a little further and get an F650.
Call JF in Quebec I am sure he still has this one for sale if you want to go Top Kick.
If your spending this kind of dough go a little further and get an F650.
Call JF in Quebec I am sure he still has this one for sale if you want to go Top Kick.
Last edited by GLH; 01-19-2010 at 02:32 AM.
#17
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The key to the "rough ride" is to get the air suspension. In the last couple of years you could also upgrade to air cab as well. If you already have the regular suspension, the air ride cab kit is quite reasonable and not real complicated to add on.
Add the seat, suspension and cab together, it rides like a Cadillac, but pulls like a truck!
I had the VERY first Monroe conversion '03, and traded it last spring for a 09 3500, BIG MISTAKE! I have regretted it ever since.
Add the seat, suspension and cab together, it rides like a Cadillac, but pulls like a truck!
I had the VERY first Monroe conversion '03, and traded it last spring for a 09 3500, BIG MISTAKE! I have regretted it ever since.
#18
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Bought an '04 4500 two wheel drive with 30k miles for $28k last year, Monroe bed, allison 2500 trans, air seats and navigation. Works great - put around 15k on it in a year towing a 43 Sunsation. Spent a lot of time searching the net for the right deal. Looked at several 4x4, a lot harsher ride and told they go through front tires like crazy. Have regular suspension in back but added 90 gallon fuel cell to bed - smoothed things right out. Drove several with air suspension and air cab and felt like there was too much movement for my taste. Overall very satisfied - but the post that says that this is not a luxury vehicle was right - more of a work truck with nice stuff added.
#19
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I have an 04 topkick with the monroe package and air ride with 40K miles and I LOVE it! It has all kinds of interior room. Also with the air system for the ride you can also mount TRAIN HORNS!!!!
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