New TRD member,1st post,have question about 2005 2500/3500

[AHemminghaus]

Hello, i'm looking to buy a new 2005 quad cab 2500 or 3500 CTD 4x4 with a 6 speed. Is there much of a difference in the ride and handling between a 2500 and a 3500(SRW) and is there much of a difference between a swb and lwb? A friend of mine told me about this site and have enjoyed reading some of the posts. . there is alot of passion for the CTD trucks here. . i have especially noticed a big discussion between the the g56 and nv5600 trans. I went for a test drive yesterday and drova a quad cab 2500 slt big horn with g56 six speed. . nice truck. . think i'm gonna go with a laramie package though. . i'm looking forward to getting a truck soon.

 

[BHolm]

The 2500 and 3500 srw will ride the same. There is only a 700lb difference in capacity for one, and the overload springs are the only real difference in back. When empty or even moderately loaded the extra springs do not come into play. I don't really notice a ride difference between swb and lwb trucks either. They ride pretty dang good for the loads they can handle.



Have fun shopping

 

[klenger]

2500 GVWR = 9000 lbs

3500 GVWR (SRW) = 9900 lbs



The LWB 3500 works great for me.

 

[Babyfat]

welcome to tdr, what are you planin on doing with it? maybe you want drw's

 

[Wayne M.]

what all said above, except for I am experiencing a lot of overload spring slap on these NYC roads I drive on and it can get annoying. IMHO the LWB is too long (160"WB) for the city- just take one for a test drive to a crowded mall and try to park it. the SWB is great if you don't need a long bed.

I hope you find the right truck and enjoy it! I have mine almost 1 year and have no regrets AT ALL- even when it comes time to make a payment! I don't know what choices you have at hand, but when I was shopping there were no 6 speeders at all in New York and only 2 in all of New Jersey, one LWB and one SWB. I got the shortie!

 

[mberry]

The 2500 and 3500 srw will ride the same. There is only a 700lb difference in capacity for one, and the overload springs are the only real difference in back. When empty or even moderately loaded the extra springs do not come into play. I don't really notice a ride difference between swb and lwb trucks either. They ride pretty dang good for the loads they can handle.



Have fun shopping

I respectfully disagree about the ride difference. When I did my test drives to decide between SWB and LWB, the difference to me was pretty dramatic. The SWB rode much rougher to me. I wound up getting a 3500 LWB for bed space and for ride comfort. Each person has a different opinion but you are ultimately the one that has to decide.



I would suggest you drive both and make your decision based on your own preference. This is my only advice. Why not get the 3500 for the extra GVWR since the price difference is negligible in most cases when equipped the same? Good luck with your decision.

 

[GFritsch]

First off, Welcome to the TDR. There is certainly no shortage of knowledge and opinions here.



The best truck for you depends on what you plan on doing. I myself would never consider a short bed because I use my truck to haul a variety of things. If I was however looking for a truck to put a shell on and use for a daily driver and occasional material transfer I would go with the shortbed for easier parking.



IMO if your not sure I would go bigger rather than smaller. The extra length you will get used to, and the LB 3500 gives you more versatility to carry longer items or a heavier load. You also have a truck that will better handle a camper if that interests you.



Good luck and remember whatever you choose you will have a great truck



Greg

 

[DBoggs]

Welcome to the site!



That said, I own a LWB and a SWB 05. The LWB is a 3500 SRW and the SWB is a 2500. I notice a slight difference in ride quality between the two, with the SWB being just a little rougher. I agree with the others though that say get one that suits you. Regardless of what you get you can't go wrong with the Dodge and Cummins.



Duane

 

[AHemminghaus]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies... i live in the city now but soon moving from Az to IILL close to quad cities area,so the city driving wont be a prob... . i'll have to go test drive a lwb. . will be towing enclosed car hauler. . maybe smaller 5th wheel(30Ft), as far as where i buy one it will be somwhere between AZ and ILL... i'm doing some research on the net with dealer inventory and just started to get a few quotes from local dealers... thanks again. . i'm sure i'll be asking some more????????s

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

Other thing to consider is the SWB fits in most standard garages where the LWB will not. I still have to open the garage door to walk around it, but at least it fits!

 

[Cattletrkr]

as far as where i buy one it will be somwhere between AZ and ILL... i'm doing some research on the net with dealer inventory and just started to get a few quotes from local dealers...

Checkout TDR member Tommygun... he's a dealer from St. Louis... I think.

 

[GCross]

The ride on the 3500 is good except for while on freeways where the concrete was laid across the lanes, then it's choppy. Don't know how much weight you plan to carry, but what surprised me was how heavy these trucks are empty. The net weight on mine, with full tank is 7450# (official weight for DMV) so deducted from 9900 leaves a cargo or trailer max of 2450#, not enough for some of the larger fivers.



-George-

 

[CajunDieselMan]

Welcome to TDR! It's well worth the yearly fee!



It all depends on the use you intend for your truck. I bought mine with the intention of hauling a 5th wheel and parking in a garage, so I got the LWB so the fiver wouldn't meet the truck. I also got the 4. 10 rear end. THEN... the wife finds a great place next to a river to park our trailer so now I have a too-long truck with a lot of towing power and nothing to tow. If you're just going to tow a boat, get a SWB with 3. 73 rear. A large fifth wheel. . get a dually (if you don't have to squeeze it in a parking garage, that is). My wife says the 3500 rides softer than my '00 2500 did--I don't notice those things..... I like a little bounce in my ride. That's one big problem with these trucks---they can be almost anything you want them to be--daily drivers, heavy haulers, you just need to try to determine your future needs--and I hope you do better than I did! Seriously, I love my truck, but wish I could change some things BUT... .

 

[Buffalo]

A couple of other things to consider.

You mentioned the possibility of pulling a fifth wheel, later on. You MAY have to go to a "slider hitch" with the shortbed. You guys with fifth wheels, please chime in here if I am wrong.



If you decide to put a tool box or auxillary fuel tank in the shortbed, you won't have much room left for other junk.



I have the 3500, 4X4, LWB & like it. I have a 115 gal. tank in the bed and still have room in the bed. It is definately long for parking in small parking lots but, I usually park way in the back of the lot, anyway. Easier to get in and out. No one throws their car door into mine & I need the little bit of extra exercise, anyway.



Joe F. (Buffalo(

 

[YOOPERVIC]

IMO you really need the long bed to tow a fifth wheel. Been doing it for years

and have seen many probs with the shorties. You also have to consider that

once you install the fiver hitch, you won't have much usable space in the

short bed.



Another point, you won't need the 4. 10 rear-end either. I'm pulling a 38 ft.

Alfa Gold fifth wheel with my 3500, 6-speed manual. Been all over the west

coast and through most of the mountains with no probs. Rarely have to

shift below 4th gear. Less RPMs, ergo better mileage with the 3. 73.



Best of luck!

 

[Tim]

4. 10 gear is no longer offered with a 6 speed anyway, 3. 73s are it, unless you can find an NV 5600 truck on the lot. Either way, I agree, 3. 73 is the only way to go.



IMO, there is absolutely no need for a longbox to pull a 5er. Get a sliding hitch and it's not an issue, I have seen shorties pulling 5ers all over the country.



That said, if you have ANY intention what so ever of towing a 5th wheel, do NOT get a 2500. That extra 900 lbs GVWR is the only thing that will allow you to, within ratings, tow a 5th wheel larger than about 28 feet. Larger 5th wheels have heavy pin weights which will QUICKLY overload an already-heavy Diesel 3/4 ton to the point that you'll easily be well over your GVWR. Get the 3500--and consider a dually if you intend on pulling a large 5th wheel camper.

 

[EBottema]

Welcome to TDR. If you are not stuck on buying new, maybe go with an early 04 or 03. They don't have triple injection and you might get better mileage. Also, they are not as emissions friendly



If you get an 05, hurry, try and find a nv5600, don't get stuck with the g56 pos... .