Vague general statements like “that’s too much for a 2500” aren’t necessarily applicable here.
A manual-trans 2nd-Gen Dodge 2500 is literally the same truck as a 3500.
It has the same chassis, the same brakes, the same engine & transmission, and the same Dana 80 rear axle, except it’s about 2” narrower than the dually version.
Dodge didn’t sell a single rear wheel badged as a “3500” in that year, because they didn’t need to.
I’m sure most of the door-sticker crowd would be happier if it had 3500 emblems on it, even though the actual components are the same. I challenge anyone to list exactly what component on that truck is less.
That Dana 80 axle does have an 11,000 pound rating by the axle manufacturer.
The truck in question has upgraded springs and every other thing a one-ton has, except the dual rear wheels.
The real working limit here is the tires. Their capacity will be printed on the sidewall... this truck can easily and safely handle whatever weight those tires can handle.
By the way, that truck’s Achilles Heel is the stock fuel pump. The VP44 injector pump that truck uses is cooled by the fuel. The stock fuel “lift pump” was an undersized Carter that was designed to push fuel, not pull it like it does in that truck.
It’s very highly recommended that you upgrade the fuel pump. If the VP44 injector pump isn’t supplied enough fuel pressure and volume to open the relief valve and send excess fuel back to the tank, it doesn’t get cooled enough.
There’s a belt driven mechanical pump called the Fuel Boss - that’s the best available.
Next are electric ones from Fass or Airdog.
Do that, load that truck up with all your gear and go.
