2004/5 2500 vs. 3500?

[montegutman]

Been searching for a lowest mileage possible 2004/5 2500 Single RW with NV5600 .

Can anyone tell me if the Frame on a 3500 is heavier (thicker or stronger material) than a 2500?
I have been told that the ride is the same as the 2500, and that the heavier springs do not engage until loaded heavy enough to engage them. Hope that is true as i have driven and ridden in a 2003 2500 for thousands of miles, and know they are great riding highway trucks. If the ride is the same, I will include the 3500 in my search. Trying to replace a Government Motor Company K2500 Yukon.
Any info on the structural differences will be appreciated.

 

[jgillott]

3rd gen 2500's and 3500 are nearly identical. The only differences being a set of overload springs on the rear of the 3500 and possibly the spring rate of the front coils depending on exact configuration. All else should be exactly the same.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Difference in SRW's is the overload springs in back & cabs lights being std on 3500.
They ride exactly the same.

 

[montegutman]

jbillot and Prairie Dog,
Thanks for the info. Prairie Dog, sounds like your 03 3500 is exactly what I am pretty sure I'd like to find. I hope your owner experience is similar to a friend of mine. He has a 03 2500 w/ 250K+ miles, and bought a new 2015 identical. He is very close to selling the new truck due to road drift he thinks is due to the new electric steer boost rather than the old hydraulics, and other nuisances he does not have with his 03. His 03 still runs/rides/looks as new. He is an excellent mechanic, and keeps his gear in top shape. Uses it hard. Has had Zero problems with the 03 (did replace a cracked dash). We both think dodge's 03 diesel is the best truck to ever hit the road. If I can find one, I plan on keeping it forever. Thanks again for the input.

 

[jjdiesel]

I agree on the '03's and early 04's. They seem to be the most trouble-free trucks. I've only done mainly routine stuff to mine and it's my daily driver....it's been perfect! Every time I consider a new one I think.....nahhh.

 

[WalterJ]

jjdiesel; I've tracked my R&R expen$e$, so am curious what yours might be relative to your optimistic feeling about your R&R. I think mine is quite high, but no items seem out of the ordinary re: my high miles driven. Pls. PM me if answer is considered private. Thank you.

Wally

 

[Wayne M.]

Here's a photo of my 3500 and a friends 2500. Exact same age, both totally stock and original spring wise. Mine is probably 1/2 higher mirror to mirror.
Yes I have the single helper leafs, and I think my front springs are 4000 where his are 3500#. My roof lights were standard, and I had a slip of paper in the glovebox showing proper placement and info for a slide in camper. Mine is a 5600, his 48RE.

 

[jgillott]

Your lack of tow hooks tell me that you also have the snow plow prep package. My '07 with the snow plow prep doesn't have tow hooks and the '04.5 that doesn't has them.

 

[Wayne M.]

No I don't think I have plow prep. It's just a basic SLT with RAZ, the seat, the shelf, mirrors and clip lights. I'll have to check the sticker. He ordered his truck. It has hooks and power pedals but nothing else. Not even a hitch nowhere.

 

[jgillott]

My '07 sticker states Snow Plow Prep (Deletes Tow Hooks). I thought all of the 4x4's came with the hooks standard unless they were deleted. Maybe that didn't start until later in the 3rd gen run.

 

[Regcabguy]

There's an '03 qcsb NV5600 3500 up the street.
I wish the owner would sell it to me. It sits around too much nowadays.
His son drove the truck towing a trailer to Honduras and back.
Zero issues.

 

[Wayne M.]

My '07 sticker states Snow Plow Prep (Deletes Tow Hooks). I thought all of the 4x4's came with the hooks standard unless they were deleted. Maybe that didn't start until later in the 3rd gen run.

I think it was a seperate option in 04.

 

[jjdiesel]

jjdiesel; I've tracked my R&R expen$e$, so am curious what yours might be relative to your optimistic feeling about your R&R. I think mine is quite high, but no items seem out of the ordinary re: my high miles driven. Pls. PM me if answer is considered private. Thank you.

Wally

Wally, everything I've done to the truck has been done preemptively with the exception of the clutch. I had to do that just recently. I currently have 162k on the odometer. The South Bend clutch installed was $900.00. Before that, just rounded-off figures: Injectors $3200.00, Dynatrac ball joints $550.00, Dynatrac free-spin kit $1800.00, Upgrade to 08 steering components $450,(got a deal on labor). Somewhere in there are four Bilstein shocks from Geno's and a water pump. Also some miscellaneous stuff like all fluid flushes, brake pads, etc...most of which I've done myself. As mentioned, all has been done in a preventative fashion, just an effort to ward off stuff that we know is coming! Hth's!
JJ

 

[Prairie Dog]

My truck has indeed been very good to me!
It's got about 109K now and I plan on keeping it for another 5~7 years. At that point we'll hopefully take some major trips around the country and I we'll be ready for new.

Scott

 

[jgillott]

My truck has indeed been very good to me!
It's got about 109K now and I plan on keeping it for another 5~7 years. At that point we'll hopefully take some major trips around the country and I we'll be ready for new.

Scott

This is a very interesting post. I am having the same questions right now with mine. My '07 tows my little travel trailer like it isn't even there. I've had some frustrating issues with it, but at 130K miles, you would think that it has some good life left. We have a couple of long tows scheduled next summer. Do I trust it for another year, or do I give in and buy something new? Reading some of the stuff in the 4th gen forums has me thinking that it isn't going to be an easy choice.

 

[Wayne M.]

J, what are your concerns? Whatever shortcomings there are, like a set of injectors, it's still worth the investment.

 

[jgillott]

J, what are your concerns? Whatever shortcomings there are, like a set of injectors, it's still worth the investment.

It is mostly that the truck is so original. Original injectors, clutch, ac compressor, alternator, etc. Any of those things could spoil a trip if they failed in route. But they could last many more years and I would hate to start throwing parts at it unnecessarily.

 

[RVTRKN]

Look at my sig, my brother was having a hard time finding a copy like my 04.5, with low miles as well. So he asked if I'd sell him mine, which I did as my sig shows. The late NV5600's are hard to find on the market. If you do find one, they can sell almost as high as when brand new.

 

[Wayne M.]

It is mostly that the truck is so original. Original injectors, clutch, ac compressor, alternator, etc. Any of those things could spoil a trip if they failed in route. But they could last many more years and I would hate to start throwing parts at it unnecessarily.

Restoring these trucks will be a huge trend, and a good investment. I know I'll be going through mine as soon as I'm able.

 

[jgillott]

Restoring these trucks will be a huge trend, and a good investment. I know I'll be going through mine as soon as I'm able.

Agreed.

Side story, a neighbor down the road has a '79 Chevy step side. He has had it since new. Approximately every 8-10 years or so, he takes it completely down and starts over. I remember when he first bought it it was Red. Then it was black, silver, and now white. That's a love affair with a vehicle. I don't know if I am willing to go that far with a vehicle, but he sure puts the work in it.