Decisions, Decisions,Decisions??

[WMcGuire]

Got to get a new truck, I can get a 2500 or a 3500 for almost the same price, I dont really need the extra weight rating of a 3500 but any other reason to buy a 3500? What would you do?? Why?? please dont start your reply with "Stupid"

 

[RailroadJim]

Smart, i say that because you're smart enough to ask around before making a huge decision, here's a reason for getting the 3500 srw, because everybody else in the whole world has a 2500, drive something a little different that doesn't feel like a 1 ton anyway, i think in the long run the resale will be slightly better. I love the crap out of mine and i don't haul diddley. Hope that helps.

 

[GWBourne]

get the 3500. if for some reason the overloads get in your way... remove them. then you have a 2500 suspension with 3500 numbers... once you put airbags in, if you were to, you would never miss the overloads anyway... .

Grant

 

[GaryCarter]

Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

Especially if the price is the same.



My . 02.



Gary

 

[CTD 600]

YUP! WHY NOT? Resale value might be something to consider years from now!

 

[nickleinonen]

insurance might be higher with a 3500 vs a 2500. . you may have to pay more to register it too? i went with a 2500 over a 3500 as i didn't want clearance lights, but now they are an option on the 3500's

 

[WMcGuire]

one reason the 3500 may be somewhat cheaper at present is the $3500 rebate on the 2500 ended on monday but is still good on the 3500 until late October

 

[Grunt]

3500, you never know what you'll be hauling in the future. The 3500 rides like a 2500.

 

[JWChessell]

I agree with most of the above. If you do a search on this forum, you find a large number of posts comparing the '03 2500 & 3500 SRW. One thing to check in comparing the two (2500 vs. 3500 SRW) is part numbers. If the part numbers are different for the same item or part, then it's fairly certain that the 3500 part is somewhat heavier and more beefy. For example, the rear brakes are larger on the 3500 SRW than they are on the 2500 -- at least on the '03.

 

[WMcGuire]

There must be a lot of differences, the 3500 specs out 882 lbs heavier than a similar 2500, that based on a SWB 4X2 Diesel, 6 spd SLT Quad Cab, both with single rear wheels

 

[JWChessell]

When I was doing the research on my '03, I found that the rear springs accounted for about 250 lbs difference between the 2500 & the 3500 SRW. The clearance lights add about one or two pounds; the extra wiring for the clearance lts adds another pound, and so forth. As I remember, the slightly larger rear brake discs, calipers, etc. , added another 15 to 25 lbs.

 

[DieselFiend]

go with the 3500, agree with all of the above. You just never know when you're gonna need more spring. If I could have got one for the same price I would have went with the 3500.

 

[BTighe]

3500 looks cooler on the door :-laf

i went with the 3500 because a couple times a year i need it. i didnt drive a 2500 but compared to my 97 2500 with helpers, it rides better. i wouldnt say its a huge improvemet but i refuse to have a truck that doesnt ride like one :-laf

 

[klenger]

Get the 3500.

 

[rjohnson916]

WMcGuire- I noticed you are in Ca like I am. Do note in Ca, there is a significant added "weight" fee from DMV for 1-Ton class pickups & SUV's. If this truck will be used for a small business or transport business or service, hands down 3500 all day long. This will keep you out of a court room should the truck be involved in an accident while hauling heavy. If all you are ever going to haul is some materials from Home Depot, personal watercraft, quads, a boat, Travel trailer, small tractor etc. . a 2500 will still be overkill and successfully get the job done as expected. If your ambitions are to pull livestock, liquid loads, gooseneck or fithwheel tandem or triple axle trailer with multi slides and toy box space 12-14K lbs 3500 again. If you are on the lighter side, I would not recommend getting the 3500. I'm not really seeing much demand in my neck of the woods for a full ton truck, most people are asking for 2500 trucks. Pretty much anything four wheels with a diesel commands high resale value. If you don't need 3500 perhaps the money would be better spent on a nicer upgrade, leather? Sunroof? Spray-In liner etc... Just my 2 cents on the topic.

 

[DPKetchum]

Brake differance was only early 03s. Been all the same (2500/3500 srw)since then. From posts I've read over the last few years ride comfort is equal as the overload springs don't come into play until weight is added etc. I'd get the 3500. Hardly ever can have too much. Resale might be higher down the line. When I was shopping I never even considered a 2500. I really wanted a 3500 SRW but the deal I got on the dually was to good to pass up.

 

[JRyan]

Here's my 2 cents. I started with a 2500 to haul lumber, etc. for house renovations. Then we bought a travel trailer RV. Then we bought a fifth wheel RV. The pin weight was less than 200 lbs within the payload of the 2500. Add fuel, me, wife, kids, tool chest, firewood, etc. etc. etc. ; well, you get the picture. Point being, when we bought the 2500, I thought "I'll never need the payload of a 3500. " Oh well. Lesson learned: it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.



Good luck with whatever you decide on.

 

[Tumbler]

Great read. I say go with the 3500. I've got a desk day job but help my uncle with his plant nursery on nights and weekends. Folks are inclined to think the truck is more than I need. I have a 92 4x4 long bed but from my own experience, opportunities to use the capacity somehow appear once you own it.

 

[WAckerman]

I would tend to agree with everyone here... I don't know about the CA DMV situation, if they consider the 3500 different than the 2500, but I tend to think of my 3500 as "room for expansion. " Right now the 3500 is my daily driver (50mi a day), but my personal plans are for a boat by next boating season, and I have family raising Tennessee Walking Horses, that I would love to be more involved with. I figure you can never have too much truck... even if its just that one time...



Good luck with whatever you decide... and lets see pics when you do decide!

 

[DPKetchum]

Yep. Now that I have a dually I find myself lookiing at mid dutys! I went through 20 years of trucks and also ***** I dont have enough of one later on. I really wanted a SRW 3500 but the price on this one was so good and I thought back to the *****ing over the years about not having enough truck it was like oh well. Also got stuck on wet grass a lot and in places that a few times I was like hours getting out. So 4x4