Difference between 2500 and 3500??

[Wiredawg]

Fellow Rammers:



What are all the differences between 2500 and 3500 4X4s? Ok, besides the obvious training wheels on the 3500. But what about:



front/rear axles

front/rear springs

drive shafts

brakes

frame

sway bars



Just thinking: Ford/Chevy have single rear wheel 1-ton trucks. What about making a single rear wheel 1-ton Dodge???



Wiredawg

 

[SS]

Here's what the 2001 Product Guide says:



front/rear axles - no differences (other than width/wheel ends)

front springs - coil diameter 0. 792 vs. 0. 820/load capacity 402 lb/in vs. 442 lb/in (for reference only - rates are tuned to vehicle weight)

rear springs - leaf thickness 1. 92 vs. 2. 08/load capacity 575 lb/in vs. 700 lb/in

drive shafts - no comments, but wheelbases are the same

brakes - rear caliper piston diameters 2x1. 77 vs 2x2. 01

frame - no differences

sway bars - no comments, but rear stabilizer is available on 2500



This does not include 2500/3500 Chassis Cab where the frame is larger/stronger. Of course some things that are standard on 3500 are not standard on 2500, but generally they are available. I can't find anything else or think of other differences.



The 2500 Dodge is already superior to the Brand F 350 SRW - what does it matter what they call it? Change the badges if it's that important.

 

[klenger]

The difference between 3500 and 2500 is 1000. I are a mathematics major graduate.

 

[HillCountrykid]

The front coils on some 3500's may be larger diameter, but I work with a guy with a 3500 and his front springs are the same as mine.



Brian

 

[Skydiver]

Hard to reach in bed of 3500

One thing that I did not realize when I bought my 3500 is when my beer cooler gets between the fender wells I can't reach it. I'm 6'4".

I usually just take a stick and push it to the other side then walk around.

But seriously the fenders are in the way.

My friends wife wiped off a left fender on thier 1-ton chebby going in to the garage. All she could say is " well the front made it in OK"

Tim

 

[Extreme1]

I thought the frame was different too. Right behind the cab (std cad) I thought it was a little taller and slightly thicker material.

 

[SS]

There may be some changes in shape between standard cab and extended cab frames, but the general section, thickness, and strength are the same according to the 2001 book. Earlier years may have had other differences?



The disclaimer on the springs probably accounts for option differences - quad cab, plow prep package, 4x4, etc. - so it is possible that a loaded 2500 could use the same spring as a base 3500 all depending on weight.



Steve

 

[Neal Cassady]

Earth Roamer

Wiredawg,



I think there was an article in the TDR mag a couple of three issues ago that pretty well covered the 2500/3500 issue and the things you might want to mod to beef up the 2500.



Dave

 

[Wiredawg]

Mods on the list...

Dave D and Fellow Rammers:



I've definetly been following Earthroamer's upgrades. I've just about read the print off the pages on TDR Issue 35 on his brake upgrades and the article on load ratings for our Rams. I've got a new South Bend clutch, banjo fittings, fuel pressure guages that I'm waiting to install now and will be seriously looking into brake upgrades next. Not sold on 19. 5 wheels/tires yet!



As you can see in my signature, I've modified several areas of my truck with great results. The Super Airlifts in the rear, with separate fill lines, contribute greatly to virtually eliminate sway and keeping the truck level. I've made the rear brakes stronger by simply extending the arm on the load-sensing brake valve. I evern get an occasional chirp from the rear brkes when running empty. Big horsepower and torque increases thanks to TST and BD exhaust. Ranch RS9000s make a major difference when hauling with a load as well.



I'm doing all these mods to my 2500 to carry me until Dodge comes out with a 3500/4500/5500 that will legally tow my 15K lb plus 5th wheel.



Finally, the inputs are great guys. Where else but the TDR can you get the experience, opinions and recommendations from so many folks from all over the North America.



Thanks, Wiredawg

 

[azcummins]

What exactly is the point of a SRW 1ton? Other than for the morons who think a dually is hard to drive and park, why would you want a 1 ton SRW?

 

[Wiredawg]

Mark:



I'm mostly making the point that DC could make our 2500s actually be rated as one tons with very few mods. Also, getting the on-ton legal weight rating would give some of us more legal weight carrying capacity. Right now when I have my 5th wheel hitched up, I'm exceeding the front weight rating by about 500 lbs, I'm ok on the rears, but I'm way exceeding my GCVW rating with 23,800 Lbs. That's about 3,800 Lbs over.



Now, I give duallys all the credit they deserve in all areas, except they can't park where I can with my 2500. Now, when I'm back in Texas, this ain't no real problem, but here in DC it is. My 2500 is a daily driver and 9 times out of 10 when I park, I can barely open the doors to get out of the truck. I frequently park in tight parking garages and on the tight streets of DC and Alaxandria. My wife is so amazed to see me parallel park this beast. But, you can not park a truck where it physically will not fit.



So, that's it.



Thanks, Wiredawg

 

[azcummins]

Wiredawg-

A big city would make a SRW nice, but most guys that have PHORD F-350 SRW have a big raise on their trucks so they wouldn't be in the city anyway. I can understand that they wouldn't want a DRW off road machine. I just never really liked 3500 SRW.



Just my $. 02.

 

[hammong]

Personally, I "think" of my 2500 RAM as equivalent to the Phord 350 SRW. I considered the 3500 Dually QC long-bed when I bought my truck, but having moved up from my a Subaru Outback wagon to the 2500 was already a substantial lifestyle change.



On the one hand, I'd love having a dually - but on the other hand, there are PLENTY of parking spots here in Maryland that you can't even remotely consider parking a vehicle that's a foot wider. Most times I park, I'm sitting right on the line on both sides.



Greg



I wonder if some people call em, "dueleys" ?? When you get two duallys playing lane chicken on a narrow road, how many people have "almost" made contact?

 

[Mr. C]

Your mirrors are just as wide as my fenders

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by Mr. C

Your mirrors are just as wide as my fenders

Yep, after having a 1996 3500 and our 2002 3500, you learn to use the mirrors as a guide. If the mirrors will clear, the rear fenders will clear.



Not to be a "stick in the mud", but if/when Murphy's Law strikes, the only numbers that will count in the courthouse are those on the driver's door post (GAWR's and GVWR) and those published by DaimlerChrysler (GCVWR). :{



Rusty

 

[Snow man]

This is to AZcummins; I wish my 2500 were a 3500 single wheel,the reason is the Dodge's with Cummins engines weigh so much empty they have a very small legal payload. There is no reason our trucks couldnt be 9900 GVWR gving us 1000 lbs more legal payload. My truck doesnt have a lot of extra's only running boards,and a plow mount,with me it weighs over 7100 empty,thay leaves only 1700 lbs payload. My GMC 2500 LD 4x4 has 7200 GVWR,also has a plow mount,with me in it weighs 4800,that truck has 2400 lbs payload,with six lug wheels. Doesnt make sense that I have to park the ram and get the old GMC when i want to carry the big loads,legally. My 350 GMC can carry our 5th wheel legally. I plow commercially the 2500 is a much better plow truck,than the 3500 pickup,its just to wide at 8 ft to clear many things,even 9 ft plos,at full angle only clear 8 ft wide.

 

[Wiredawg]

Right On, Snowman!

Snowman:



You hit the nail right on the head! I would be happy to have the full rating of the tires for the payload of my truck. I actually checked the axle rating, tire rating, spring rating and they are all underrated on our 2500s and 3500s.



BTW, On the Dodge website, they show a single-wheel 3500.



Can't wait 'til they start getting them in at the dealers.



Catcha later,



Wiredawg

 

[Snow man]

Wiredawg,Im glad im not the only one who thinks that my payload is rediculously low ,considering the pulling power,and size of the truck. I run at about 10000-11000 GVWR in snow storm, the truck sits level with the camper package,doesnt sway,sag or bottom,and stops excellent. But in the summer, i can't tow a 32 fr 5ver legally?i need to use my old GMC,come on. Well it looks like Dodge has finally listened,and is making the configuration they should have made long ago. Now i gotta figure a way to pay for it,LOL.

 

[DDUNN]

Opening myself to flaming....

I have converted my '99 3500 to a SRW. I never wanted the duals, but the brakes weren't enough on the 2500s ( DC bought one back , they couldn't get it to stop either). 3500 has larger brakes front and rear. Like mention earlier, the actual payload capacity is too low on the 2500 also.

With the change over, my tires are rated at 3300 lbs. and wheels at 3140 lbs. each. Since the GVW is based on the lowest rating, tires and wheels allow 12,000 lbs, BUT in reality, my rear weigh rating goes down from 7500lbs to 6280 lbs, legally speaking. That does not mean my GVW went down 1200 lbs. , just my rear wheel load rating. With the load balanced front and rear , I still could have 11000GVW. ( Dodge's 4850 lb front + rear wheels 6280 lbs still add up to 11000 lbs. +).

For those that might be wondering. All I did for the conversion was change tires and wheels and swapped beds, and removed the hub extensions in front. With 285/75 BFG ATs, the tires only extend 1 1/2" outside the fenders on each side on the rear, a lot less than I've seen on some 2500s. The fronts just do stick out beyond the fenders. The wheels are 8"x16" with 5" backspacing.



Dave Dunn



Flame as you will, it is a great setup.

 

[Sageair]

I can tell you why some people want a srw one ton. They need the weight carrying capability but drw's suck off road. They are the pits in deep snow because you are pushing about a 14" wall of snow and you tear up the side walls on narrow two track roads