Diff. between the 1500 and 2500

Im sure you have all heard this question before but im looking to buy one of these animals in the next few weeks and i wanted to know what the difference is.
Suspension
Engine
Tranny
Whats better?
And considering im not going to be using it for any heavy work in the next year or so which one is a better investment?

1500 is a half ton and 2500 is a 3/4 ton.

If you're not working it like you say I'd get a 1500.

What's sexy formula?

The 1500 can safely hold 1000 lbs in the bed and the 2500 can safely hold 1500 lbs in the bed. Also, the 2500 can tow more. The 1500 can have a 6 cylinder, 5.2 liter, or 5.9 liter 8 cylinder. The 2500 can have a diesel or 8. (not sure if it can have either 8) The 2500 will have heavier duty axles, suspension, and brakes to handle the additional cargo. I believe the transmission is also heavier duty.

If you won't be doing any heavy hauling, it is probably best to get a 1500. It will be less expensive, insurance will likely be less, and if you have vehicle taxes based on weight, it will be less for the 1500 since it can't haul as much.

The main difference between these two is the suspension stiffness, and if its like a 02 and newer 1500 you get to have the crap that they call IFS. Futhermore basically they are the same truck just the suspension is stiffer, and in the 3/4 you can get the cummins diesel, which you pay more for but is alot better motor than the 5.9 gas or the 5.7 hemi. basically i use my 3/4 for a diesel hotrod thats about it and I love it. As far everything being different its not. But if you dont want a diesel def. go with the half ton cause you will be bouncing all over the place with the suspension..

Thanks for the info guys... i appreciate it alot. I cant wait to sell my car and get in a truck. By the way i think that dodges are the best looking trucks but since ive started looking to buy one ive heard a few negative things about the transmission. Is this true and what are the common probs w/ these trucks if any. Im looking to buy a 2003 or 2004.

Sexy Formula is my Firebird Formula (5.7L V8)

Yea thats what everyone says, but truth be told I have had two dodge trucks now and never have had a problem, and I have actually changed more chevy 4l60e's than any dodge trannys. It just has to do with if you change your tranny fluid and how you treat it.. your talkin prolly the 47re which I dont know all that much about. all I know is both the 47re and 48re are a 4 speed. if your worried about the tranny what you can do is put a bigger tranny oil cooler and deeper pan with a temp gauge.

sounds good man... what about everything else like electrical things... Have you ever had any problems?

I personally haven't heard or seen anything. but as buying any brand you might have problems..

3/4 Ton, Full Floating Rear Axle, higher GVWR, Higher GAWRs front and Rear, bigger tires, more lugs on the wheel, heavier frame, bigger engine with the option of going diesel, more heavy duty Transmission. More CVWR.

A 3/4 is always better than a 1/2 if ya want any kinda of durability. Half tons are built fairly light. I had a faithful 90' Dodge D150, and the tranny was on its way to tranny heaven when I sold it. But, I also overloaded that truck too much because I wanted to do what a 3/4 and 1 ton could, but with too little truck. Sold the half ton, got $1500 out of it turned it into an 11' Slide in camper and stuck that on a 92 W-250. The durability difference between the 3/4ton and the 1/2 ton are night and day.

you are right, up until you said bigger tires and bigger engine. you normally see usually the same tires on both trucks, mainly depends on the package you get, and as far as I know the tranny are really no different just between the diesel and gas. And as far as newer dodges the hemi is the biggest gasser you can get and you can get those in both. but back in the you are correct you could get a v-10 only in 3/4. but i have never had any durability issues with my old 97 r1500 I put that thing through more abuse than most people do in a entire life driving. the only problem I had with that was the typical plenum intake gasket goin out and also I broke the front axle shaft.

My half ton, it had L235/75 R15 Load Range C tires. My 3/4 Ton, LT235/85 R16 Load Range E. So, bigger tires. Diesel wasn't available in the half-ton, and Hemi or Magnum engines didn't exist in the line of Dodges I was looking at. Granted, that's also set back 15 or so years from now, and Daimler didn't own Chrysler yet.

you are totally correct. you had 3 inches of difference in those tires. Granted you are talkin about 15 years ago and today there are so many different packages. I have seen stock 04 1500s with bigger tires than my 2500, granted the load range is different because I am running the diesel. And from what i have been reading and hearin in the industry a diesel in a half ton is very close. I look for ford to be the first to put a scaled down powerstroke in its f150