rear axle

[Kurt Henzler]

i am interested in getting a 2500 or 3500 4 door shortbed 4x4 soon (single axle HO six speed). i saw a post a while ago that stated the only difference is 2 extra leaf springs in the rear. i took a look at few on the lot today and and they have different axles and rear pumpkin. are they both 3. 73 rear ends? the sticker did not say. i saw the 4. 10 option on some duelly trucks but not the single axle.

what are all the differences, does anybody know for sure. how much of a price difference and do you think it is worth the extra money.

 

[David Muench]

Are you sure they were both HO's?



If say the 2500 was an SO auto, I think it would have the 10. 5" diff, whereas the 3500 would have the 11. 5" regardless.

 

[Badunit]

3500 also comes with cab clearance lights standard (non-deletable). Other than that I don't know other differences besides the ones already mentioned.

 

[David Muench]

I think it's just the overload springs in the rear, cab clearance lights, possibly higher spring rating in the front (though that probably has more to do with the options you choose), and a 11. 5" rear axle regardless of the engine/transmission. Oh, and the most important option of all - upgraded ratings on the sticker to keep you legal while hauling stuff.



Does the 2500 come with D rated tires still? I know the 3500 SRW has E's.



I didn't even give a thought to the 2500 when they announced the 3500 SRW.

 

[Okie-Go]

David, a friend of mine just bought an 03 2500. It has Load range E on the 17" rims.

 

[ntenna]

The 2500 does have the smaller pumpkin, and the 3500 SRW and DRW share the same rear end. The 2500 HO (should) have the larger rear axle, the SO/autos have the smaller pumpkin.



Just a choice, but id you tow over a few thousand, it's a no-brainer. Get the larger axle, higher load rating.



David is right about the rear overload springs, but checking the coils they have the same part # unless you get the snow plow prep. The rear springs are the same except an additional space and the overloads. So 2500=3500 in the basic main springs, but a 2500 will squat without those helpers. 2500 does not = 3500 in the rear axle.



JH