Really really basic question - "3500" what?

[MattandLana]

OK, so the wife asked where the model name comes from. Ie. what does the "3500" signify?

I assume there's some parallel between this "3500" and the "350" in the Ford F350 model name. Is it payload? I see my SRW payload is about 4200 pounds which is kinda-sorta the same, maybe.

Also, while I'm on it, why is this called a "1 ton" truck? I speak metric, but Google tells me that 3500 pounds is more like one and a half tons, and my actual payload is more like 2 tons.

 

[SnoKing]

Class 3 truck 10001 to 14000 GVWR!

#ad

 

[MattandLana]

Class 3 truck 10001 to 14000 GVWR!

Aaaaah! Cool, thanks.

 

[JR]

1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton truck classifications were given out by the SAE in the early 1900's to designate military vehicles. At the time they truly were rated for 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton Or a 1 ton payload, along with about 30 horsepower :-laf
1/4 ton trucks were the early jeep type vehicles, 1/2 ton designated trucks were command vehicles, three-quarter-ton was generally labeled as ambulances and the one-ton and larger trucks were used for artillery, munitions and personnel transport in World War II. After the war the automotive industry picked up and the trucks were all given the same designation to give the war veterans something to identify with. It helped them put the trucks capabilities into perspective.

Then somewhere along the line the horsepower and payload wars came into play and blew the ratings all to hell

 

[HAMMER77777]

i was thinking the same thing