3/4t vs 1t differences

Need-A-Vacation wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:

taken wrote:
I'm not sure about Ram and GM, but with Ford the SRW 350 is identical to the 250. The only possible difference is a single upper overload spring and a taller rear spacer block under the suspension. Both of these items can be had on a 250 as well based on packages ordered. They can also both be added after the fact for cheap money. With Ford, the 250 is de-rated on paper to fill a different market segment is physically the same truck. That said, the two will ride identically...

GM is similar between the 2500 and 3500 SRW. slightly higher spring rates in the back, not much else. In fact prices are almost identical between the two, there are some occupant feature differences around safety etc. but not much. I would expect them to ride similar.

Acei,

Are you looking at gas or diesel models? This is for GM last I knew unless changes have been made:

If diesel, as mentioned, the spring pack, and possibly the wheels/ tries are different. 2500HD's can have 20's, but 3500HD's are only available with 18's. And there is an extra leaf or two on the 3500HD.

For the gas trucks, the 2500HD has a 10.5" rear axle, but the 3500HD gets the same 11.5" rear axle as the diesel trucks. The other differences mentioned apply as well.

If we could have found a 3500HD on the lot, thats what we would have bought. Not sure if it is still the same, but for the '13 and '14 Chevy HD's, the 3500 was actually $3-400 CHEAPER than the 2500HD. This was when optioned the exact same. Reason- the hitch, tow mirrors, cab clearance lights (think they were standard on the 3500HD), (may be missing a few options) were standard on the 3500HD, but optional on the 2500HD.

If ordering, go for the 3500HD. BUT, from what I recall the GM 3500HD only adds about 800lbs to the rear axle rating.

Good luck!

I was comparing diesel models. you are correct regarding the gas models, especially the std 9600GVWR for the gas. IIRC you can get a 10,000 GVWR gas, it is an option. and I should have said different spring packs instead of different spring rates, because yes the 1 ton has an extra leaf IIRC.

When we looked this year, 3500SRW short box are very very very scarce on lots, most 3500's dually with a rare SRW long box. Prices are virtually the same, like you mention with a few hundred $. For 2015 some of the features/options on the 3/4 ton denali are NOT available on the 1 ton and there were a few other things that you couldn't get on the 1 ton.

And yes, the 1 ton's don't have a 20" wheel option. 3/4 has 18 or 20" wheels depending on trim level.

empty weight on the two was very very close. IIRC the SRW 3500 has the same front axle rating as the 3/4 ton w/o the plow prep, but the rear is higher. the 3/4 ton is 11,400 combined axle ratings, so they had to do something to get the 1 ton rating up, possibly the tires since that seems to be the limit on the rear of my denali.

In fact, with the denali, the 3/4 and 1 ton are badged the same, the both just say Denali HD no 2500/3500 badge.