2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2500 to 3500

[CCamillo]

Wondering what the difference is between a 3/4 and a 1 ton? Is it just the rearend and springs or is there more stiffners in the fram?

 

[mhsmith57]

I've inquired about this too and all I get is the addition to overload springs on the 3500. The rear end differentials like my '05 are the same; 11. 5" AAM. I haven't heard of heavier stiffer frames, gearing, front end etc to distinguish the two trucks. Hope this helps.

Mark

2005 SLT 2wd quad cab short bed G56 Xanny 3. 73 rearend. All stock for now but the Linex bed liner. Can't wait to make more hp and torque!!

 

[CCamillo]

I have overload springs and bags so I was wondering how far off I was from a 1 ton. I got the truck used and it was setup for a slid in camper. I also notice a plug under the front left of the bed on the inside of the quarter panel. I figured it was for power to the slid in.

 

[EricBu12]

on the old 2500. . I was told the brakes were a little bigger (shoes) and bigger hydr. cylinders. Also the springs are a hair thicker I think. . might be able to tell by caliper.

I upgraded my old '01 to EGR disk brake and added the Roadmaster Spring that hooks to the rear shackle. This in effect made my old 01 to a SRW 3500 or close to it. . I towed my 36' 5th wheel just fine with the extra power and Jake brake and such. . I also think there might be 1 more cross member in the frame... don't know. . just increase the springs, brakes, tires, and the ability to pull and stop it, and you have a 3500.

 

[SRath]

SHHHHHH! Don't let those dually guys hear you talking about towing and carrying campers with srw trucks!! ONLY a dually is fit for such duty, and they are very jealous about protecting their fat-bottom girls' turf.

My '96 2500 was special-ordered with one-ton springs and it has the same overloads as a 3500, too. It has the same don't-work-worth-squat rear brakes, the same frame, motor, transmission, etc (except the t-case is a weenie NP241 DLD instead of a DHD). Other than that, the only difference is I can fit through drive-throughs, 4-wheel much better, get better fuel mileage, and only have 4 tires wearing out at once. I have no idea why I didn't buy a dually... :-laf

(My work here is finished: consider the pot 'stirred'!! )

 

[SRath]

Wow! That was a thread-killer! (sorry, CCamillo)



Hey guys, I was joking! yankin' some chains... stirring up the old debate... re-opening pandora's box...



CCamillo probably has no idea how extensively this SRW vs. Dually issue has been debated here before. It's always lots of fun...

 

[CCamillo]

What about 2500 vs 3500 SRW? Or did they not make them in our years?

SRath It's cool don't worry about it!

 

[mhsmith57]

So is there any difference between the 2500's and 3500's other than the oversize springs? My truck is an '05 and the only thing different is the springs but why so much difference in towing capacity? Mine is like 13,250lbs and I think the 1-ton is close to 15K.

Mark

 

[Curious Dave]

The extra wheels and tires are taken into consideration on the calculations for 3/4 to 1 ton ratings.

 

[SRath]

Yup. That's the main thing. The factory tires were not very heavy duty and that was a limiting factor to GVRW. Buy a set of Rickson 19. 5" wheels and some 14-ply commercial-duty tires and you have that problem more than licked; except it will still say the same under-rated GVWR inside your door jamb.



Especially if you have the Dana 80 rear, which was extremely down-rated by the factory. Chevy 1-ton K-30 duallies, as well as motorhomes and stepvans etc, used the Dana 70 for a very long time with great success. The GM Corporate 14-bolt 10 1/2" ring gear rearend was actually a little stronger, imo, but it was usually configured as SRW only. The Dana 80, even the so-called Dodge hybrid, is even stronger.



Duallies have their place, but the HD 2500 (Dana 80, heavy springs & manual trans) is so close to being the same truck there is simply no real difference except the 2 extra wheels and the wider stance that duals provide in the rear. That width in turn provides noticeable stability if both trucks are stock, plus you get the extra load bearing ability of the 2 extra tires. The 2500 can be upgraded to nearly match, or even exceed, that stability and tire rating.



But you will always have the DOT to contend with and they don't care if you put 2 1/2 ton Rockwells under that truck, they will still go by the sticker in your door jamb for GVWR. It is a point of pride with them to utterly ignore logic, reason, and responsibility when it comes to generating revenue through fines.



The real weak point in both trucks from a weight-carrying standpoint is the Dodge brakes (and brake lines, right Kenny?).

 

[DEdwards]

they will still go by the sticker in your door jamb for GVWR

If you need the capacity, that is the difference. D. O. T. has been checking 1 ton gooseneck hauler trucks like crazy around here. I don't think they would be opposed to checking a 3\4 ton either. And they can (and will) zap you if you are overweight. The 2 biggest things they get your for... safety chains and overweight on the rear for tire capacity

 

[diesel DOG]

3500 is a man's truck :-laf

 

[Hammer]

2500's had the Dana 70 in the automatics and they had Dana 80's in sticks.

3500's ALL had Dana 80's no matter if they were auto's or sticks.

As long as they had camper/plow packages they had the same rear springs and brakes.

HOWEVER,the Dana 80 rears in the duallys were narrower than the 2500 Dana 80's.

 

[SRath]

And there is a difference in dually axle widths depending upon whether it was a cab-and-chassis or a pickup with a box.