3/4t vs 1t differences

We on the outside..even insiders NOT on the product design team...even within
that...few know the details of any product...

The difference for me, as an educated outsider is in the GVWR, F/R GAWR and GCWR

To try is an effort in futility...as the OEMs will NEVER tell us...

Personally am NOT a "just good enough" type of person in most
things...gotta have as much as I can afford/find/etc

Why is it? People need a tool for a typical job, but insist on going the absolute minimum? I mean if you need a 3500 series truck for the intended load get one! Dont skimp by trying to get by with less. GET THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB!

On the current generation Fords there are no differences as I stated in my previous post. I think the OP was asking about current generation trucks.

The similarities and differences between the two depend on the model years and manufacturers.

For my 10yr Dodge, the difference between the 3/4 and 1T are the rear spring packs. The wheels and tires, axles and brakes are identical. My 9k GVWR truck has a ~1800 payload rating, and i've had 2500 in the bed and totaled out at 9980lbs; was a little squishy on the rear end but otherwise fine.

With the Fords, back in the 90's the 4wd 250 got the Twin Traction Beam with leafs front suspension while the 1T got a solid axle with leafs. The 2wd units were all TTB with coils. The rears were the same axles, same wheels and tires, and different spring packs and blocks. As the years progressed, the 4wd 250 got a Dana 50 solid axle while the 350 got a Dana 60 solid axle.

Fast forward to today and there are even more differences, like the Dodge 2500 has a 5-link coil while the 3500 is on leafs.

For a few year old truck, the ride is going to be similar between the 3/4 and 1T. The overloads take a couple inches of sag before they are engaged, so the two truck will ride pretty much identical, in most cases.

When I purchased my Ram 2500 about 15 months ago the 2500s came with the new coil springs while the 3500 had old fashioned leafs and the ride was noticeably different.

Also, at least in my area, 3500s are MUCH more rare on the lots. If I wanted one with anything close to the options I was after I would have had to order it. I guess I'll just have to get by with a meager 3000# of payload :)

I have a I have the SRW chevy 3500. It rides a little stiff but not to bad. Its really pretty simple, in my opinion. Either ride with a little stiffer ride 60 to 70 percent of the time and have the payload capacity the other 30 percent of the time when you need it, or vica versa. I have had Ford and Chevy's and the Chevy's ride has always been superior. JMHO

Don't know about Ford & Chevy, but the Ram 2500 & 3500 cost about the same. However, there's a big difference in payload capacity with the diesel versions. Typical Ram 2500 diesel (CC) only has 2000-2200 lbs. of payload, whereas the same truck as a 3500 has 3500-3800 lbs. of payload. IMO, that is a lot of capability to give up just for the 2500's coil spring rear suspension.

I went from a 2500 series Ram to a Chevrolet 3500 dually. Wish I had started out this way. Very little difference in ride, comfort, mileage.

B.O.

My take on this is to go with a 350/3500.

Very little if any difference in ride over a 250.
Better payload
Better resale
Very little difference is cost.

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 similarly.


Interestingly at least on the GMC Denali you would need to look at the VIN or door sticker to know if it was a 3/4 or 1 ton. Badges on both just Say Denali HD, no 2500 or 3500 Designation.

around here, 3500 standard (short) box crew cab SRW trucks are virtually impossible to find on the dealer lot. long box, a few, but the vast majority on the new car lots are duallys. I would have needed to factory order the 1 ton, and given it gave up a few safety features avaiable on the 3/4 ton and the 3/4 ton had more than enough payload for our trailer went with the 3/4 ton.

But be aware that a crew cab diesel 4x4 from any of the three is going to have a payload of 2200-2600lbs at most. They all weigh 7500+ lbs empty with a 10,000GVW. One ton SRW adds another 1500lbs to payload roughly since empty weight is usually very close to the same 3/4 ton configuration.

As far as ride between mfg, best thing to do is go for a test ride and see what you think. they all ride pretty good. What I like in ride may be something you hate.

Our son has had a ford and dodge 3/4 ton work truck, and driven both our GM's and prefers the GM ride. He now has my 04.5 duramax. But again best thing to do is drive each one and decide.