VTISC007

I'll try to keep it short. My brother has the 1500 HD 6.0 4x4, I have a 2500 HD 6.0 4x4. Besides the frame, rear axle and brakes, what is the difference. I was thinking that the programming for my engine was different than his because my truck seems a little bit stronger than his. His has a K&N FIPK & a FlowMaster. Mine just has a FlowMaster. We both have 4.10's. My 2500 HD is stronger.
I'm getting ready to buy a 23 foot Toy Hauler, I was just curious if his 1500 HD could pull it like my 2500 HD.
***His is a crew cab, mine is the extended cab, mine still weighs more.

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2004 Chevrolet 2500 HD 4X4
1988 Toyota 4Runner
2000 Yamaha R1
1998 Yamaha WR400

twomorestrokes

The 1500HD is actually an 8600 GVWR 2500 (non-HD). In base form, it has the 6.0/3.73 package. 4.10 is optional. (4.10 is base with the 9200 GVWR 6.0 2500HD package)

According to my information sheet, the max tow rating for the 6.0 1500HD is 8300 pounds. Max tow for the 6.0 2500HD is 12000 pounds. Payload for the 1500HD is 3139 where the 2500HD is rated at 4074.

The 2500HD frame is taller, and also thicker stock at .197". 1500HD frame is .157". (standard 1500 is .106") Supposedly, the 1500HD sits
2 1/2" lower than the 2500HD version due to both the suspension and the frame height.

Far as I can see, both trucks use the 300 hp 6.0 and the 4L80E transmission.

twomorestrokes

Oh, and the rear axle's are the same, and the brakes are basically the same except the 1500HD actually has thicker rear rotors- 1.4" thick opposed to the 2500HD's 1.1" thick rear rotors.

BlenderWizard

so what's the difference in the 1500HD and the regular 2500?

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twomorestrokes

Not a whole helluva lot. Option levels. Correct me if I'm wrong, but between the two vehicles, if it is a crew cab, it's a 1500HD. If it is an extended cab, it's a 2500.

It's a screwy thing that GM did. I work with truck suspension and frames, and it threw us for a loop a few years back. At that same time, GM went to a dually-only 3500 setup, and started calling the single rear wheel version the 2500HD.

VTISC007

Interesting! So in other words, my 2500 HD is acturally a 3500 with single wheels in the rear.

__________________
2004 Chevrolet 2500 HD 4X4
1988 Toyota 4Runner
2000 Yamaha R1
1998 Yamaha WR400

VTISC007

actually

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2004 Chevrolet 2500 HD 4X4
1988 Toyota 4Runner
2000 Yamaha R1
1998 Yamaha WR400

White Lightening

I'm confused. I thought the 2500 was a 3/4 ton and the 3500 was a 1 ton.

spudglo08

Different suspension and frame height.

spudglo08

No the 3500 has beefed up suspension and they come in single r wheels also.

spudglo08

No the 1500HD is a 1500 with 2500 powertrain 6.0L only.The GM torque monsters rnt aval.(Duramax/8.1L big block) and 2500 suspension.You can get a crew,single or ext.cab on all GM trucks.2500HD's are 3500's with some scaled down suspension parts.The 2 HD's are not the same.1500HD Is pretty much a rebadged 2500 (non HD)

twomorestrokes

It is very confusing. The 2500 IS a 3/4 ton (8,600 GVWR), and the 3500 IS a 1 ton (11,400 GVWR). However, the 2500HD is somewhere between at 9,200 GVWR. Your guess is as good as mine.

twomorestrokes

Spud, the 1500HD and the regular 2500 (non-HD) use the same frames and the same suspension. There is no difference. They are both 8,600 GVWR as well.

It's the 2500HD that has the taller suspension and frame.

twomorestrokes

The 3500 does have heavier suspension, but the majority of the GAWR increase is due to the dual rear wheels being able to support more weight.

You got me on the single rear wheel being available on the 3500. I do see a listing in the 2005 brochure. On RV and towing forums, it looks like 2004 was the first year the SRW 3500 was offered. For the first few years they were DRW only. GVWR for the SRW is 9,900 instead of the dually's 11,400 (700 pounds more than the 2500HD)

twomorestrokes

You seem to contradict yourself with these two statements concerning the 1500HD...Your second statement is correct.

The 1500HD IS NOT a half ton at all, and is not simply a 1500 with a 2500 powertrain. The frames on the 1500HD and the regular 2500's are identical. Base option for the 1500HD is indeed a 6.0 engine with a 3.73 axle.