2500 vs 3500

[BobD]

I am thinking of ordering a new 05 4x4 long bed CC.

I now have a 2000 long bed 4x4 with 157,000 miles

How about pros & cons 2500 vs 3500

Like----

1- Ride, Does the 3500 SRW ride much different than the 2500?



2- How can you order a sway bar and over load springs on the 2500

like my 2500 had with the camper package?



3- The 2500 does not have a good payload if you want to tow a 5th wheel

with a pin weight of 2000 lbs



4- Is there a DELETE for the clearance lights?



5-Any other things I should consider like are brakes the same??

are Axles the same??

 

[KYLE4]

check out dave smith in Idaho that guy sells trucks cheap and rumor has it he will buy you a plane ticket to come get the truck

 

[1Tufdsl]

I am thinking of ordering a new 05 4x4 long bed CC.

I now have a 2000 long bed 4x4 with 157,000 miles

How about pros & cons 2500 vs 3500

Like----

1- Ride, Does the 3500 SRW ride much different than the 2500?



2- How can you order a sway bar and over load springs on the 2500

like my 2500 had with the camper package?



3- The 2500 does not have a good payload if you want to tow a 5th wheel

with a pin weight of 2000 lbs



4- Is there a DELETE for the clearance lights?



5-Any other things I should consider like are brakes the same??

are Axles the same??

1. Just a little more rough.



2. The SRW 3500 is basically the same as ordering the camper package on the 2nd gens except they don't provide factory rear sway bars anymore.



3. Definitely need the 3500 for that.



4. Not sure about that one.



5. Everything thing else is the same.





Karl

 

[Patriot_RAM]

4. No delete for the clearance lights. I believe it's a DOT requirement.

 

[DPelletier]

1. No more rough, empty. The only difference with the spring pack is the overloads, so If they aren't loaded up to engage, the spring rate is the same.



2. You can't. 1tufdsl is right, in the 3rd gen a 3500 SRW = a 2500 with camper package in the 2nd gen trucks (except for the GVWR sticker difference)



3. right. you'll be way over GVWR with a 2500 hauling a 5er with 2000 lbs on the pin.



4. I don't think so. The lights are a DOT requirement on the duallies, but you should be able to take them off of a 3500 SRW if you were so inclined.



5. everything else is the same if you have a 11. 5" rear end. The 2nd gen 2500 autos came with a smaller rear end (Dana 70 instead of a Dana 80), but I can't remember if some of the 3rd gen 2500 autos use the 10. 5" rear. I don't think so, but I would check.



My advice is to buy the 3500 SRW. You get the overloads and 900 lbs more GVWR for very little extra money.



Dave

 

[JHardwick]

4- Is there a DELETE for the clearance lights?

Why would you want to :{

 

[LesStallings]

I remember reading that the brakes are slightly larger on the 3500. I think the rear drum size diameter is the same but the width is a bit wider. I don't think I made that up



Dodge makes the ONLY good looking dually! Not that I'm bias...

 

[JHardwick]

I remember reading that the brakes are slightly larger on the 3500. I think the rear drum size diameter is the same but the width is a bit wider. I don't think I made that up

yup, you made it up



mine is disc on all four corners, you must have gotten a throw back :-laf

 

[LesStallings]

I remember now! the disc is thicker.



Try that one...

 

[LesStallings]

I work on too many 40-50's cars. Of course the 3500 has disc brakes on all 4...



duh!

 

[klenger]

Get the 3500. They shouldn't even make a 2500 IMHO.

 

[JTurk]

Back in April I sold my '96 2500. Great truck especially with all the Banks stuff, including brake. In May I got my 3500 Dually. I have a 29' travel trailer. The handling difference is day & night. 3500 hands down! I have also seen many 2500's in for air bags and shocks because they couldn't handle the big slide-in campers. In the end, they spend more that way. The new 3500 rides every bit as nice as the 2500 empty and much better with the trailer. You have to make the choice, but if you look at the difference in price now amortized over a number of years, and add in better resale, 3500 wins with me!

 

[JHardwick]

I remember now! the disc is thicker.



Try that one...

yeah yeah, thats is we'll go with that



Honestly, I can't see a reason to go with a 2500 at all. The progrssive loading lets the 3500 ride as well as a 2500, but you have the extra load capacity when you need it!

 

[DPelletier]

The difference in the disc is real, but its on the dually only. I have to agree with Klenger. I'm assuming that we're comparing the 2500 vs. 3500SRW for 5er towing. If we're going to talk about SRW vs. DRW, that's a completely different discussion



Dave

 

[BobD]

Yes it is the 3500 Single RW that I am considering.



What about the wheels on the Larmie Package they are Aluminum, are they good looking or should I Opt for the Steel chrome clad wheels and save $100. 00????

 

[BHolm]

Bob, I have the Laramie with the aluminum wheels. They are nearly as shiny as the chrome steel wheels. They are forged alum and 17x8", very nice wheels, I like the look better than the chrome ones.



Another option, other than a dually, if you need load capacity is to go to 19. 5" wheels and tires. It is the tires that limit the wieght you can carry as the axles are the same (SRW vs DRW). With the 19. 5s the capacity is very high, plenty for even a big slide in camper or a bunch of pin wieght. I understand that they also really help with stability because of much stiffer sidewalls.

 

[crobertson1]

3500. No question about it. Right klenger?

 

[scottmcd]

Spend the $100 bucks, get the alloys and enjoy the difference in the weight of your tire/wheel package. You will kick yourself the first time you rotate them on your own. Plus they look lots better. IMHO

 

[MVVorce]

I have a larmie and did not get the aluminum wheels. My opinion is that the 2nd gen look good but the 3rd gen looks painted and cheap like the smaller trucks. The chrome wheels out shine the aluminum wheels hands down.

 

[RidinNY]

I have a larmie and did not get the aluminum wheels. My opinion is that the 2nd gen look good but the 3rd gen looks painted and cheap like the smaller trucks. The chrome wheels out shine the aluminum wheels hands down.

This is not true for the 05 models... you can opt for the polished aluminum wheel which looks great.